Historic context :

Named '15cm schwere Positionhaubitze L/14 mit Rohrrucklauf' by their builder Krupp, these field howitzer were the very first modern quick fire weapons ordered by Turkey (18 pieces ordered in 1905 and delivered in 1908). The German company, very active on the export markets, was able to promote such an improved variant of the 15cm sFH 02 in service in the German army. Other such variants were lsold as well to Russia later in 1909.

The improvements given to the 1902 model included an elongated barrel (from 12 to 14 calibres) and a protection shield for the servants. On the other hand the howitzer still had the mid-length position of the trunnions on the barrel / recuperator assembly, that was giving a low position to the breech at high elevation angle disturbing the ammo loading and the fire rate. The German army did not consider this weapon during the tests that led to the creation of the future 15cm sFH 13, mainly because its weight was over the 2100 kg limit imposed for the horses towing. For tye same reason Krupp did not market this weapon as a 'heavy field howitzer', but as 'position howitzer'.

All the 18 weapons built in Germany were captured by Bulgary at the Adrianople siege during the Balkanic war, and used by this nation during WW1. Turkey had bought the fabrication licence with the first contract, so teir arsenals could produce another 20 15cm sFH 05 before the war end in 1918.

Technical data :

• Complete description : 15cm position heavy howitzer L/14 with recoil recuperator M 1905
• Design year : 1905
• Calibre : 149.10 mm
• Weight in firing position : 2290 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 14.00
• Grooves : 0
• Projectile weight : 41 kg
• Initial speed : 300 m/s
• Fire rate :
• Range : 6815 m
• Elevation range : -5 to +43 degrees
• Direction range : 5 degrees total range

• Bulgarian Artillery 1878 - 1918     https://www.bulgarianartillery.it/                           
• Landships II http://www.landships.info/