152mm D-1
China: Type 54
Overview
D-1
A Soviet D-1 towed howitzer at a St. Petersburg museum.
Source: Saiga20k -
© GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
China
M1943 (NATO reporting name)
Type 54 (Chinese production model)
China
Description
Introduction
The D-1 is a World War 2 era towed howitzer of Soviet origin. It was developed as a lighter and more mobile alternative to the ML-20 and as a follow on to the M-11. Production continued for several years after World War 2. It was produced under license in China as the Type 54.
Design
The D-1 can be considered a mix between the M-30 and M-11. The two wheel split trail carriage used with the M-30 is mated with the 152mm ordnance used in the M-11. This makes the D-1 much lighter than contemporary weapons with similar caliber, albeit with a somewhat lower performance. A shield gives the crew of 8 some protection from small arms fire over the frontal arc.
Firepower
The D-1 fires powerful 152mm shells from its short 27-caliber ordnance with double baffle muzzle brake. The maximum rate of fire is 3 to 4 rounds per minute. The maximum range is 12.4 km
Mobility
The limited weight makes that the D-1 can be towed by truck rather than by artillery tractor. Despite its limited weight it is still too heavy to be manhandled.
Users
The D-1 was used by Soviet forces during World War 2. It remained in Soviet and East Bloc service for several decades. It was exported to various nations with ties to the USSR and it was used during various Middle Eastern conflicts. Nowadays several dozen remain in limited reserve use in various parts of the world.
Variants
Details
Media
D-1
A D-1 towed howitzer with white wall tires.
Source: Chobitok Vasiliy
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
D-1
Forward view of D-1 howitzer clearly showing the large double baffle muzzle brake.
Source: Cmapm
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
D-1
Rear view of D-1 howizter showing the breech and two trails.
Source: Saiga20k
Copyright: GNU Attribution - Share Alike license
Related articles
122mm M-30
The D-1 uses the same carriage as the 122mm M-30. Both types of towed howitzer were produced at the same Soviet factory.
152mm ML-20
The D-1 was developed as a lighter alternative for the 152mm ML-20. The ML-20 has a longer range, but is also more than twice as heavy.
152mm D-20
In Soviet service the D-1 was supplemented and replaced by the newer D-20.