CMK MV043 17cm Kanone Matterhorn

17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette (for short: 17 cm K 18 in MrsLaf) is a German 170mm heavy towed gun from the Second World War. Serial production of this gun started in 1941 and resulted in the production of about 340 of its examples. The initial velocity of the demolition shell from this gun was up to 925 m / s, with a maximum range of about 29,500 meters.

The 17 cm Kanone 18 cannon was developed for the needs of the German armed forces, and the main goal of its development was to create a cannon with as much range and accuracy as possible, intended for counter-batter fire. It is also worth adding that the new gun was to complement the line of the 21 cm Mörser 18 howitzer. Moreover, both guns used the same handguard and undercarriage, which made them look very similar to each other. Paradoxically, however, the 17 cm Kanone 18 cannon turned out to be a gun with greater combat value than the 21 cm Mörser 18 howitzer - it had a much greater range, with only slightly lower shell destructive power. Finally, the production of the 21 cm Mörser 18 was discontinued in favor of the 17 cm Kanone 18 cannon. By the way, it can be added that the Krupp and Hanomag plants were primarily responsible for this production.