Mortier de 280 modèle 1914 Schneider

Schneider delivered the first prototype of the siege howitzer to the Russians in 1912 for extensive testing. Although the Russians found the gun was unable to penetrate the heaviest reinforced concrete fortifications its general performance was judged satisfactory which led to an order for 16 howitzers to be delivered in 1915. The French Army expressed interest in the Schneider howitzer as a possible replacement for the Mortier de 270 mm modèle 1885 De Bange. After some dithering by French authorities 18 howitzers were ordered in 1913. Delivery of the howitzers to Russia and France was delayed by the general mobilisation of 1914 which disrupted industrial production. During the war 126 howitzers were delivered to the French Army and 26 to Russia as the 280 mm Schneider Mortar Model 1914/15 before the 1917 revolutions. In addition another 25 barrels were installed post-WW1 on the Saint-Chamond heavy self-propelled gun chassis as the Mortier 280 mm TR de Schneider sur affût-chenilles St Chamond. The US Army selected the Schneider design as its first modern large-calibre siege howitzer, to be manufactured in the USA in 240 mm calibre and designated the M1918 240 mm Howitzer. However, this howitzer did not reach production until after the end of the war.

• Name — Mortier de 280 TR Modèle 1914 Schneider • Origin — France • Type — Siege howitzer • Is Artillery — yes • Service — 1914–1945 • Used By — * France • Nazi Germany • Poland • Russian Empire • Soviet Union • Wars — * World War I • Polish–Soviet War • World War II • Designer — Schneider et Cie • Manufacturer — Schneider et Cie • Weight — 16,000 kg • Part Length — 3.353 m L/12 • Crew — 12 • Cartridge Weight — 205 kg • Caliber — 279.4 mm • Rate — 1 round per 5 minutes • Velocity — 418 m/s • Max Range — 10,950 m • Breech — interrupted screw • Recoil — hydro-pneumatic • Carriage — box • Elevation — +10° - +60° • Traverse — 20°

The French Army Schneider howitzers debuted in April 1916 at the Battle of Verdun and saw service until the end of WW1 in two gun and later three gun batteries. Their primary roles were counter battery fire, although they were over-powered for this role, and reducing fortifications that resisted field artillery fire. The howitzers were generally reliable and well liked by their crews. When the war became mobile again over the last few months the Schneider howitzers were less useful than during the static phase of the war because of the long emplacement time and slow towing speeds. The Schneider howitzers were still in the inventory at the beginning of World War II. Four were used with success in June 1940 by French army against the Italian fortress at Chaberton on the French-Italian border. Some were used by the Germans, designated as 28 cm Mrs. 601 (f), after the Battle of France. One case was during the Siege of Leningrad in 1943-44. In Russian service they saw action on the Eastern Front, during the Russian Civil War and the subsequent Polish-Bolshevik War. Some were captured by Poland during that conflict, although nothing is known of any use by them. In June, 1941 the Red Army still possessed 25 of these guns.

Poland • Museum of Polish Military Technology - Mortier de 280 modèle 1914 Schneider on transport cart, barrel serial number 6891, cart serial number 4443, additional markings "Mortira No1" • Illustration — In use by German troops on Eastern Front, January 1944 • Illustration — The howitzer disassembled on its 4 transport carts • Illustration — 28 cm barrel and recoil assembly on its transport cart in front of the Museum of the Polish Army in Warsaw • Illustration — Ready to fire with more ammunition ready