203-mm howitzer B-4 model 1931: the legendary Soviet gun

The B-4 feature was split-case loaderwhere the projectile and charge were placed in a brass sleeve. This simplified recharging, but required high calculus qualification. For transportation, the gun was disassembled into two parts: a barrel and a carriage, which were transported on special roller-box or squatters of the "Voroshilovets".

Combat use and tactics of use

B-4 howitzers were actively used in all major operations of the Great Patriotic War, starting with the war. defense of Leningrad and ending storm-storm. Their main objectives are:

• 💥 Destruction of long-term defensive structures (DOTs, DZOTs).
• 💥 Counter-battery fighting is the suppression of enemy artillery positions.
• 💥 The shelling of clusters of equipment and manpower at a long range.
• 💥 Participation in artillery preparation before the offensive (for example, in Operation Bagration).

The tactics of using the B-4 had its nuances. Due to their heavy weight and low mobility, guns were usually placed in pre-arranged firing positions, masking them from aerial reconnaissance. Calculation from 10–12 people He could fire until there was a threat of a counterattack. In such cases, the howitzer was evacuated with the help of tractors or even T-34 tanksTo which special towing devices were attached.

⚠️ Attention: When firing on full charges, the recoil of the barrel of the B-4 reached 1.2–1.5 mThis required a reliable fixation of the carriage in the ground. Failure to comply with this rule could lead to the rollover of the gun or damage to the stanzas.

Interesting fact: in The Battle of Stalingrad B-4 howitzers were used to shell German positions on the other side of the Volga River. Their shells penetrated the walls of houses and bunkers, which greatly complicated the defense of the 6th German Army.

Comparison with foreign analogues

In its characteristics, the B-4 was not inferior, and in some respects surpassed heavy howitzers of other countries. For clarity, we will give a comparative table:

As you can see from the table, the Soviet howitzer won against the German sFH 18 the range and power of the projectile, and the American M115 The maximum distance of shooting. ~British BL 8-inch It was very similar in performance, but was inferior in mobility due to the lack of muzzle brake.

Benefits of B-4:

• ✅ High penetration (concrete shell punched to the point of collapse) 1.5 m of reinforced concrete).
• ✅ The ability to fire from closed positions due to the long range.
• ✅ Relative simplicity of design, facilitating repair in the field.

Among the shortcomings stood out low-rate (due to manual loading) and transportation (A powerful tractor or disassembly into parts was required).

Extant specimens and museum exhibits

To date, around 50 copies The B-4 howitzers have been preserved in museums and memorial complexes around the world. The most famous places where you can see this weapon:

• 🏛 Central Museum of the Armed Forces (Moscow) - exhibit with original color and a plate about the combat path.
• 🏛 Museum "Battle for Leningrad" (St. Petersburg) Howitzer who participated in the blockade break.
• 🏛 Museum of Technology Vadim Zadorozhny (near Moscow) - the restored copy in working condition.
• 🏛 Military History Museum in Singapore A trophy specimen captured by the Japanese in 1945.

Some B-4 howitzers are used as monument. For example, in volgograd A copy was installed, symbolizing artillery support during the Battle of Stalingrad. V Minsk B-4 is part of the exposition of the Museum of the Great Patriotic War.

For collectors and restorers, the B-4 is of particular value. At auctions of military equipment, individual gun components (for example, a shutter or sighting devices) can cost up to 50 thousand rubles - 100 thousand rublesAnd the full line is over. 5 million rubles.

Modeling and replicas: how to build B-4 with your own hands

The B-4 howitzer is popular among modelers due to its recognizable shape and historical significance. There are several ways to create a smaller copy:

1. Ready kits companies Zvezda (Russia) and ICM Ukraine to produce plastic models of B-4 on a scale 1:35 and 1:72.
2. 3D printing - digital models for printing on a 3D printer are available on the Internet (for example, on the Internet) Thingiverse or Cults3D).
3. Homemade lines - enthusiasts make copies of wood, metal or foam with subsequent painting.

To build an accurate model will require:

Particular attention in modeling is paid to:

• 🎨 Muzzle brake - should have characteristic slits.
• 🎨 Lafette - Stans are often depicted with bent elements that simulate combat damage.
• 🎨 Targeting devices It is better to highlight them with silver paint.

⚠️ Attention: When making homemade replicas from metal, legal restrictions must be taken into account. In Russia, the creation mock-ups of artillery (even in a reduced form) requires coordination with Rostekhnadzor.

Interesting facts and myths about howitzer B-4

With howitzer B-4 associated with many legends and little-known facts:

• 💣 "Earthquake shell" - the so-called high-explosive projectile B-4 because of its ability to cause seismic fluctuations when hit. V Kursk These shells were used to destroy German tank ambushes.
• 🚂 Railway version In 1943, an experimental version of the B-4 was created on a railway platform.TM-1-203), but he didn't go into the series.
• 🎯 Record shot In 1944, a B-4 crew under the command of Senior Lieutenant Ivanov struck the German headquarters at a distance. 20 300 mThis is an absolute record for this weapon.

There is a myth that the B-4 could have shot. nuclear-armed. In fact, although in the post-war years experiments were conducted with artillery nuclear munitions (for example, for the purpose of the nuclear weapons). 280mm Br-5 mortars), for the B-4, such projectiles were never developed due to insufficient power.

Another misconception is that the B-4 howitzer was self-propelled. In fact, self-propelled variants on its basis were not created, although in the 1940s a project was considered to install the barrel of the B-4 on the chassis of the tank. IS-2 German analogue Hummel).

FAQ: Frequent questions about the B-4 howitzer