World War II Database

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe Canon de 194 modèle GPF (Grand Puissance Filloux) self-propelled guns were the first such weapons for French, having been designed in 1918 at the end of WW1. They were designed by Louis Filloux of the firm Schneider-Creusot, forerunner of the modern-day firm Schneider Electric. They were originally two variants, including one with 280-millimeter mortars, but after WW1 all of the mortar-equipped vehicles were modified to carry the 194-millimeter guns. The 194-millimeter guns fired 80.86-kilogram shells at the muzzle velocity of 640 meters per second, to the maximum range of 18,300 meters. They were considered to be very advanced at their introduction. About 50 of them remain in active service at the time of the 1940 German invasion. At least three of them were captured and were used against Soviet troops under the designation 19.4cm Kanone 485 (f) auf Selbstfahrlafette by the 84th Regiment of the German Army.

SPECIFICATIONS

Canon de 194 mle GPF

Machinery	One Panhard SUK4 M2 engine rated at 120hp
Armament	1x194mm gun
Weight	29.6 t
Range	10 km

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