The following intelligence report on the German 75-mm mountain gun was originally published in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 46, May 1, 1944. [DISCLAIMER: The following text is taken from the U.S. War Department publication Tactical and Technical Trends. As with all wartime intelligence information, data may be incomplete or inaccurate. No attempt has been made to update or correct the text. Any views or opinions expressed do not necessarily represent those of the website.]

ADDITIONAL DATA -- GERMAN 75-MM MOUNTAIN GUN A report of a preliminary examination of the German 75-mm mountain gun, 7.5-cm Geb. G. 36, appeared in Tactical and Technical Trends, No. 38, p. 9. Additional information and a sketch of this gun are now available. a. General* Weight (complete)         1,090 lb (about) Length of gun, including brake 66 in Length of barrel, including brake 56 in Elevation 65° Depression 8° Maximum traverse 40° (20° L and 20° R) Rate of traverse 40 minutes per turn of handwheel Rate of elevation 1° per turn of handwheel Height of wheels 32 in Maximum length of recoil 29 in Minimum length of recoil 23 in A number of quick-release devices enables the gun to be broken down speedily. These devices are simple in design so that the gun can be easily disassembled after the first inspection. It is reported that this weapon can be broken down into six loads, the maximum weight of any of the loads being about 300 pounds. This enables it to be used as a mountain gun and enables easy packing in a plane, and allows man handling or animal packing for short distances. b. Barrel The breech end of the barrel is rectangular and is machined on each side to provide wedges. The wedges are arranged so that they drop into corresponding spaces machined from a trough-shaped portion of the breech ring. The barrel and breech ring are secured together by a heavy plate which slides over both components, thereby preventing the barrel from jumping out. c. Breech The breech ring is machined transversely to receive the breech block and prepared at the top to carry the plate referred to above. The breech mechanism is of the horizontal, wedge-sliding block type and is actuated by a hardened steel cam plate, which slides in a groove cut in the upper side of the block. d. Firing Mechanism The firing mechanism is the continuous pull type.** e. Cradle The cradle is fitted internally with a small hydro-pneumatic recoil system. On the rear of the cylinder block an extension is formed, and provided with slides and fiber strips for the reception of the breech ring. Bolted to the rear of the underside of the cradle is an elevating arc formed with extensions, which are machined to form trunnion journals. A gun securing stay is pivoted underneath, to lock the gun for traveling. f. The Saddle The saddle is pivoted at its forward end on a large pin, having a bearing in a tubular cross member behind the axle tree. At the rear, it carries phosphorus bronze trunnion bearings, the cap squares of which are locked by quick release plungers. g. Counterbalance Counterbalance consists of a strong spiral spring encased in a telescoping tube. The lower portion of the case is anchored on a shaft at the underside of the saddle, while the upper portion bears on suitably prepared surfaces under the cradle. The mechanism can be readily disassembled, by depressing the piece until a lever on the cross shaft can be moved to the closed position, when the spring is locked in full compression, facilitating the safe removal of the cradle. h. The Axle Assembly Consists of two main parts. The axle tree, and a tubular saddle support, which are carried on two solid rubber-tired, light alloy wheels. The axle tree is a forging which is machined at the ends to form stub-axles. These stub-axles fit into tapered housings (which run in bearings) in each wheel. Each tapered housing is provided with a quick release spring-loaded plunger, which engages with a locating hole on the body of the axle. The complete axle tree is arranged to pivot on the saddle support, in order to compensate for lack of level of wheels. The tubular saddle support is provided with a bearing at the center to receive the center pivot. Pivoted at both ends are housings which receive the trail legs, which, at the bottom, fit into claw recesses, and at the top are locked by clamps. i. The Trail Legs These are of riveted box construction, and are arranged to split, to form an angle of 30° in the firing position, where they are locked by spring-loaded plungers engaging with holes in the ends of the saddle support. In the traveling position the legs are clamped together by a cross-member which pivots from the left leg. The center of the cross-member is provided with a towing attachment. Hand operated screws pass through brackets in the under side of each leg and, by means of beveled bearing blocks, stabilize the saddle during traveling. When fully unscrewed a traverse of two degrees either side is possible. The legs are 73.62 inches long. *The weight, length of gun and barrel, elevation and depression are based on data given in an Aberdeen Proving Ground memorandum dated 18 Sept 1943. **Aberdeen Proving Ground memorandum dated 18 Sept 1943.

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