340mm/45 Modèle 1912 gun

They were carried by the s in twin turrets. Some of these guns were used as railway guns and coastal artillery in World War I, also serving in World War II.

• Name — 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 gun • Origin — France • Type — Naval gun • Is Ranged — YES • Is Artillery — YES • Is Uk — YES • Service — 19151953 • Used By — France Nazi Germany • Wars — World War I World War II • Design Date — 1912 • Production Date — 19121921 • Variants — Model 1912 Model 1912M Type C • Weight — 66 t • Part Length — 15.4 m L/45 • Cartridge — Separate-loading, bagged charge and projectiles • Cartridge Weight — 382-575 kg • Caliber — 340 mm • Rate — 2 rpm • Velocity — 800 m/s • Max Range — Naval: 25-29 km at +23° Coastal: 38.7 km at +45° • Breech — Welin breech block • Elevation — Naval: -5° to +15° Coastal: 0 to +50° • Traverse — Fore and aft: -150° to +150° Q turret: +30 to +150 L/R

Due to the cancellation or conversion of most of the ships these guns were made for, the relatively large number of spare guns available facilitated their use as railway guns in both World Wars. Two batteries of 340 mm guns, with an authorized strength of one gun per battery, were operated by the 53rd Coast Artillery, U. S. Army, in World War I. As with most French railway guns, after the Fall of France in World War II some of these weapons were used by the German army. Two different railway guns were produced from these surplus guns: • Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau - Six were converted by the St. Chamond company and saw action during both wars. • Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement - Six were converted by the Schneider company and these came too late for the First World War but participated in the Second World War.

During Operation Dragoon, the Free French battleship was one of the units engaged with 'Big Willie', ex-French turret battery controlling the approaches to Toulon. 'Big Willie' was armed with the guns taken from the French battleship, as a replacement for the original guns, sabotaged by its French crews, making this an unusual instance of both sides of an engagement using the 340mm/45 Modèle 1912 gun.

• BL 13.5 inch Mk V naval gun British equivalent • 14"/45 caliber gun US Navy equivalent

• Illustration — Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à berceau. • Illustration — Canon de 340 modèle 1912 à glissement. • Illustration — One of prewar French armoured turrets, equipped with Provences guns.