Mighty Atomic Cannon

[Bob]

First let me show you an overall layout photo. This is a part of Schweinfurt Germany. This photo is a postcard I purchased when based there and sent home so my parents could see what it is like in Bavaria.

Then next will come the Atomic Cannon. We had some summer celebration which I believe is the 4th of July. We had various weapons on display for our own people. Then the Atomic cannon was top secret which meant you could see one, but not know the specifications.

Since this was one of the last Atomic Cannons and was headed for storage, we now know the specifications.

First, to Bottom left are buildings with red tile roofs. The families of the troopers above a particular pay grade lived there. As we speak, no doubt the current troops families still live there. This was in 1963. More or less center right you see 3 story buildings with basements with the grey roofs. That is where the Atomic cannon was on display. I was billeted in the second grey roof building from the far left when with my unit. Pretty far right among the grey roof buildings one sees a building constructed across as opposed to up and down. That was the HQ/HQ building where the Col. worked with a lot of officers there. The hospital was super far right.

Let's try to see how it looks. First Schweinfurt then the Cannon.

By the way, at the bottom, you can scroll to the right and back and forth.

Germany - sixty three 003.jpgGermany - sixty three 004.jpg

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M65_Atomic_Cannon



Too bad the huge twin trucks are not part of the museum display. Each end of this cannon was hooked up to massive trucks that lifted each end. The trucks went either way for maximum mobility. Seeing one up close is awesome.

Take a good look at the specifications using Wikipedia link supplied.

Keep this in mind. This was fired at Nevada test range and the blast was pretty huge.

"The cannon was transported by two specially designed tractors, both capable of independent steering in the manner of some extra-long fire engines. Each of the tractors was rated at 375 hp, and the somewhat awkward combination could achieve speeds of 35 miles an hour and negotiate right angle turns on 28 ft wide, paved or packed roads.^[1] The artillery piece could be unlimbered in 15 minutes, then returned to traveling configuration in another 15 minutes.On May 25, 1953 at 8:30am, the Atomic Cannon was tested at Nevada Test Site (specifically Frenchman Flat) as part of the Upshot-Knothole series of nuclear tests. The test — codenamed Grable — was attended by then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Adm. Arthur W. Radford and Secretary of Defense Charles Erwin Wilson; it resulted in the successful detonation of a 15 kt shell (W9 warhead) at a range of 7 miles. This was the first and only nuclear shell to be fired from a cannon ^[1] "

[Peter1469]

That is pretty cool.

[Bob]

That is pretty cool.

Yes, imagine you out on a field problem firing the Atomic Cannon and you can watch the explosion. Fun.

I never knew for certain where the BOQ is located in that area. I am thinking it might be behind the base.

I am guessing we had perhaps 5,000 men on that base. Married or not, officers did not sleep on the base unless they were OD or something akin to that. Where the buildings are at the kind of lower left is where Conn Barracks starts. Further left is the airport the Col sent me to fix some problems.

I have some good color photos of Schweinfurt downtown buildings. Someplace.... lol.