DISCONTINUED 152 MM D-1 FIELD HOWITZER

Howitzer D1 wz.43 is a Soviet, towed, 152 mm field howitzer from the Second World War and the Cold War. The first prototypes of the guns were built in 1943, and serial production was carried out in the period 1943-1949. During its course, about 2,800 copies of this weapon were produced. The maximum range was 16,000 m, and the initial velocity of the projectile was 508 m / s. The rate of fire was up to 4 shots per minute. The D1 wz.43 howitzer was developed in the Petrov design bureau on the basis of another cannon from that office - the M10 howitzer from 1938. Compared to its predecessor, however, it differed in a lowered curb weight, which improved maneuverability and a slightly better range. Thanks to the use of many elements of the M10 howitzer, the new D1 wz. 43 was able to enter mass production very quickly. It entered the service of the Red Army with the divisional and corpse artillery units, replacing the MŁ-20 wz. 1937 of the same caliber. It turned out to be a successful weapon - with good range, maneuverability and high reliability. The D1 wz.43 howitzer entered service in many Warsaw Pact countries, including Poland.The 152 mm howitzer HB-43 D-1 (Howitzer wz. 43 cal. 152 mm) is a Soviet howitzer developed in 1943. The howitzer was developed on the basis of the earlier M-10 howitzer from 1938, thanks to which it was possible to use elements produced earlier in its construction. However, the new design was much lighter, which increased its maneuverability, while the use of elements from the previous design made it possible to start mass production almost immediately. The HB-43 D-1 howitzer was introduced to the armament of the Soviet corps and army artillery units and to the high command's reserve artillery, where it replaced the used ML-20 wz. 1937, caliber 152mm. It was used in combat operations as early as 1944, where it proved its usefulness on the battlefield. These howitzers were also used by the artillery units of the Polish Army, as well as the armies of the Warsaw Pact countries. Technical data: maximum range: 16,000 m, caliber: 152.4 mm, combat weight: 3600 kg, rate of fire: approx. 4 shots / min.