ML-20 (Model 1937)

History

Before World War I, Russia and France collaborated in the military industry, resulting in the development of a 152mm siege gun designed in France and later produced in both France and Russia. This gun became known as the "152mm Siegekanone M1910." It saw action during World War I and continued to serve in the Soviet Empire, undergoing upgrades to adapt to changing battlefield conditions.

In the lead-up to World War II, the gun received further modifications and was designated the "152mm Type 1937" or "ML-20" during the Cold War era. When World War II erupted, particularly with Germany's invasion in 1941, this artillery piece became a cornerstone of the Soviet heavy field artillery, often outperforming German counterparts.

The Model 1937's significance was highlighted during the Soviet Union's historic counterattack against the invading Germans, where it played a crucial role in halting the advance. Notably, both the Finns and Germans used captured Model 1937 guns against their former owners during the war.

Specification

Fundamentals

Years of Service: 1937

Origins: Soviet Union

Crew: 6

Production: 6,884

Manufacturer: Factory No. 172 - USSR

Operator: Afghanistan; Egypt; Finland; Israel; Nazi Germany; Poland; former Soviet Union; Syria

Roles

Fire Support/Attack/Breakthrough

Support allied forces with direct/indirect fire, attacking forward positions and/or breaking through fortified areas of the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Length: 26.8 feet (8.18m)

Width: 7.7 feet (2.35m)

Height: 7.4 feet (2.27m)

Weight: 16,028 lbs (7,270 kg)

Tonnage: 8 tons

Performance and Weapons

Area 10. 7 miles (17.2 km)

Weapons: 1 x 152.4 mm barrel

Variant

ML-20 - Cold War designation.

ML-20S - Self-propelled artillery vehicle variant.

ML-20SM - Based on ML-20S; no muzzle brake; experimental model.

BL-20 - Postwar development of 1946; improved wedge breech mechanism; cast closed design.

152 KH. 433/1 (r) - Designated capture system by the Bundeswehr.

152 H 37 - Designation of the captured system by the Finnish Army.

152 H 88-37 - Finnish Army designation.

152 H 37 factories were modernized. 152 mm wide.

37/85 - Designation of the Polish Army; modernization to the standards of the Polish Army (post-war).