9 cm kanon PL vz. 12/20 explained

9 cm PL kanon vz. 12/20
Origin:Czechoslovakia
Type:Anti-aircraft gun
Is Explosive:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Service:1920-1945?
Used By:Czechoslovakia
Nazi Germany
Yugoslavia
Soviet Union
Wars:World War II
Designer:Škoda Works
Manufacturer:Škoda Works
Weight:6500kg (14,300lb)
Part Length:4.05m (13.29feet) L/45
Cartridge Weight:10.2kg (22.5lb)
Caliber:90mm
Rate:12 rpm
Velocity:775m/s
Max Range:6000m (20,000feet) vertical ceiling
Elevation:-5° to +90°
Traverse:360°

The 9 cm PL kanon vz. 12/20 (Anti-aircraft Gun Model 12/20) was a Czech anti-aircraft gun used during World War II. Those weapons captured after the German occupation of Czechoslovakia in March 1939 were taken into Wehrmacht service as the 9 cm Flak M 12(t). Some guns were reportedly captured in Yugoslavia and the Soviet Union as well. Twenty were in Czech service during the Munich Crisis in September 1938.[1] Twelve were in German service between August 1943 and June 1944.[2] According to Nebojša Đokić and Branko Nadoveza "Import of weapons for Army and Navy of Kingdom of SHS and Yugoslavia" 1 battery (4 guns?) were apparently stationed in Bay of Kotor in Kingdom of Yugoslavia (now Montenegro).[3] Same authors in second part of book "Import of weapons for Army and Navy of Kingdom of SHS and Yugoslavia" in which import from Great Britain and Germany was analyzed, claim that 9 guns were installed on 6 Galeb-class minelayer minelayers of Royal Yugoslav Navy, 2 each on Sokol, Galeb and Orao and 1 on Jastreb Kobac and Gavran. Latter some of those guns (5?)were replaced with 8.35cm Škoda AA guns.[4] It is possible that some of those guns after replacement on ships were put in service as ground anti aircraft battery.

Description

The PL kanon vz. 12/20 was a modernized version of a pre-World War I anti-aircraft gun. It was mounted on a fixed pedestal.

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Statistické údaje výzbroje Čs. armády v roce 1938. 24 March 2005. 2009-05-23.
  2. Gander and Chamberlain, p. 153
  3. Nebojša Đokić and Branko Nadoveza: NABAVKA NAORUŽANjA IZ INOSTRANSTVAZA POTREBE VOJSKE I MORNARICE KRALjEVINE SHS/JUGOSLAVIJE,NABAVKE IZ POLjSKE, SAD, ČEHOSLOVAČKE I ITALIJE p.121
  4. Nebojša Đokić and Branko Nadoveza: NABAVKA NAORUŽANjA IZ INOSTRANSTVAZA POTREBE VOJSKE I MORNARICE KRALjEVINE SHS/JUGOSLAVIJE,NABAVKE IZ NEMAČKE i VELIKE BRITANIJE p.31