History Component - Cannon Designs and Economic Impact - Mondern Cannons

Canon de 155mm GPF/Canon de 155 Grande Puissance Fillox (GPF) mle

The Canon de 155mm GPF, or the Canon de 155 Grande Puissance Filloux (GPF) mle, was a field and coastal artillery gun originally from france. IT was used in service during WWI and WWII from 1917 to 1945. It was designed by Colonel L.J.F Filloux, during WWI, when the French was in desperate need for modern artillery. It was used by many countries including France, the USA, Nazi Germany, the Phillippines, and Chilie. In the beginning of the 20^th century, this 155 mm cannon was used by the French army as its standard heavy field gun from 1917 until WWII. When France fielded 450 guns in 1940, many were used by the Germans, where it was known as the 15.5 cm K 418(f). When it became manufactured in the US, it was used as the Army and the Marine Corp’s primary heavy artillery gun. It lasted until 1942 when it was replaced by the ‘Long Tom.’ Then it was next used in 1942, by the Associate US Army forces in the Far East in the Philippines and later saw some action from 1944 to 1945 (canon de 155mm).

The 3.7cm FlaK 43

This cannon was one in a series of medium caliber anti aircraft cannons made during WWII, used by Nazi Germany. The original design was created by Rheinmetall in 1935, with many similar designs before and after it. But because of the high costs, Rheinmetall-Borsig and Krupp were asked  to create it as a new version.  More than a year laterr, Rheinmetall-Borsig ended up finishing it. It was a lot better that previous versions, because of its better firing rate and it weighed less. It had one or two barrels, each 84 inch in length. Together this Anti aircraft cannon weighed 2,750 pounds. It was in service from 1943 to 1945 and was used in battles such as World War II. It lasted until Gerrmany was defeated and the Bofors 40 mm gun replaced it. Later, 35-mm anti-aircraft pieces produced by Switzerland (3.7cm FlaK).