Gustav train gun (Schwerer Gustav), also known as: Dora (Dora) cannon. It is an 800 mm caliber siege artillery developed by the German company Krupp. The gun weighs nearly 1,350 tons and can fire ammunition weighing up to 7 tons. The longest shooting distance is about 47 kilometers.
In early 1942, the completed super-heavy cannon was named with the "Gustav" prefix of the Krupp family. Hitler himself and Minister of Munitions Speer attended the acceptance ceremony, and was subsequently purchased for 7 million Reichsmarks. Purchased by the military. Its barrel is 32 meters long, the total length of the gun in combat status is 53 meters, its height is 12 meters, and its total weight is 1,488 tons. Such a behemoth encountered great difficulties in assembly, transportation and firing tests. When testing the ballistic performance, the loader was not yet perfect, so a crane was used to lift the 4-ton shell to the rear of the gun body, and then a light tank was used to push it into the gun bore. In order to transport the artillery to the testing site, three giant transport trains with special structures were specially designed. The bridges along the way could not bear such a heavy weight, so the train had to go around a long detour. After arriving at the position, two giant cranes were first used to hoist the base, and then the gun mount, gun barrel and loading mechanism were installed. All the work was completed by a major general commanding more than 1,400 people for three weeks. The tall cannon is very majestic. In order to prevent bombing by Soviet aircraft, anti-aircraft artillery units and warning aircraft were deployed around the position, and a large number of infantry, patrol police and police dogs patrolled day and night within 10 kilometers of the surrounding area. Once an enemy bombing is discovered, chemical troops will immediately lay down a smoke screen. The total number of people participating in command, operation, and security personnel reached more than 4,000.
Its shells are even more appalling. Each armor-piercing shell weighs 7 tons, and a high-explosive shell weighs 4.75 tons. The propellant fuel is between 1.8 tons and 2 tons. It was originally planned to attack the Maginot Line, but France had surrendered by then. Heavy artillery was urgently needed on the Soviet-German battlefield, so the "Dora" gun was shipped to Crimea. In June 1942, all the artillery, including Gustav, was assembled and prepared for the final liquidation of Sevastopol. On June 5, Gustav slowly drove out driven by two high-power diesel engines and participated in the attack on Sevastopol. The crane behind the artillery sent the 7-ton shell into the barrel, and a loud bang sounded the last funeral bell of Sevastopol. This artillery shell accurately landed on the Soviet position, instantly leveling a large number of buildings and permanent defenses. A deep crater as big as four American football fields appeared on the Sevastopol position, wiping out the Soviet troops. The carefully built permanent defenses directly blasted out the inner core, and the 30-meter-deep defenses were directly blown through. Immediately following the attack on Bai Ya's stronghold, Gustav directly penetrated the 10-meter-thick concrete fortification with one shot, detonating the ammunition depot inside. The violent chain explosion directly sank a ship in the bay. In the 12 days from June 5 to June 17, Gustav fired a total of 48 artillery shells, destroying multiple data points including the "Stalin", "Siberia", and "Maxim Gorky" forts . Among them, the White Cliff was completely razed to the ground. After the war, Sevastopol was in ruins and full of rubble. Horror is like purgatory.
After a great victory in the first battle, the Gustav train gun was dispatched to Leningrad at the end of 1942. After entering a state of combat readiness, it had nothing to do because the Soviet Union canceled the offensive. In the spring of 1943, it was transferred back to China for maintenance until Germany was defeated and was blown up by German engineers.
The high price of 7 million Reichsmarks is just the train gun itself. This does not include various support equipment: each transport mission requires the use of 28 special vehicles, including a gantry crane for assembly and two diesel locomotives for traction at the destination. Moreover, a large amount of human resources are consumed for this cannon. Most of the 1,720 people who serve it are first-class engineers. Although the theoretical rate of fire is 14 rounds/day, the maximum rate of fire is about 4 rounds/hour. However, during the 12 days of actual combat, considering the huge size and weight of the artillery shells, even with mechanical power assistance, the reloading speed was still very slow; and each launch required a large amount of data calculations, including: muzzle velocity, flight time, Charge, temperature, chamber pressure, distance, weather conditions, and wear and tear on the chamber and rifling... Gustav fired a total of 48 shells. And this is close to one-third of the total life of its barrel of 150 rounds.
Even for the "unlimited funds" of the Third Reich and the Head of State, it is too expensive. This is not something that can be accomplished by patting one's chest and saying "unlimited funding".
"It's exactly what you said." Dr. Gunther Vince made no secret of the shortcomings of the Dora Cannon: "The reason is still the problem caused by the insufficient capacity of the original standard track. After changing to a wide gauge train, everything The problem was solved. We integrated all auxiliary vehicles and engineering equipment on a train gun. We used automatic conveyor belts and automatic loaders to replace manual operations. The number of personnel was reduced to less than 100. If the rate of fire is not tested, It only takes a 10-man squad to complete a bombardment. Of course, the next bombardment may have to wait until the sun rises again."
"Okay, doctor. 'One shot a day is already a big deal.'" The female reporter also expressed her feelings.
With the usual rigor of the Third Reich. If this wide-gauge high-speed railway is really paved, the whole world will be unable to fight back. What's more, there is a killer weapon that can destroy a city that is being secretly developed.
The Gustav train gun in combat status is 53 meters long, 12 meters high, and weighs 1,488 tons. The 40,000-horsepower "electric/diesel hybrid engine" is fully capable of pulling. As long as the problem of ballastless wide gauge can be solved, everything will fall into place.
It seems that the military "SA3 Military Express Train" originally had a plan to drag the Gustav train gun all over the world.
The "SA3 Military Express Train" and "Electric/Diesel Hybrid Locomotive" have spacious and comfortable multi-layer cockpits.
The female reporter and the female test pilot who arrived in a hurry embraced each other warmly.
"Tell me about this shoot." The female test pilot is a famous workaholic.
"To be honest, I don't know much." The female reporter did not hide anything: "In the beginning, it was just a labor plan codenamed 'Lily Marlene' initiated by the SS. How did it turn into an 'unlimited funding' I’m still confused about filmmaking.”
"I see." The female test pilot nodded slightly: "The director of this special shooting is Leni?"
"Yes. It has been confirmed that it is Leni Riefenstahl herself." This is the news that the female reporter has confirmed.
"If it's Leni, then the head of state himself must be involved in this follow-up plan." The female test pilot smiled: "So, there is nothing to worry about."
"Ah, you're right." The female reporter nodded happily.
"When will Leni arrive?" The female test pilot seemed impatient.
"Tomorrow at the latest." The female reporter is always well-informed.
"Doctor, please arrange the filming crew."
"I will, Hannah." The unsmiling Dr. Gunther Vince was as rigorous as ever.
