German French Artillery Used on D-Day?

[EvertonRock]

Well I know that French captured artillery were used by the Germans on D-day, but could anyone give me more stats on the French artillery? And if you have any pictures of them can you post them up? I would love to see them

[von Poop]

As I'd been meaning to refresh my memory on these here's a list of captured French guns in German service taken from Terry Gander's excellent 'Small arms, Artillery & Special weapons of the Third Reich' All were used as coastal artillery unless specifically described otherwise (I think, haven't double checked). I assume you were after the big guns so I've left out the dozens of smaller captured pieces.

French Designation
German Designation

Canon de 145L Mle.1916 St Chamond.
14.5cm Kanone 405 (f)

Canon de 155 C Mle.15 St. Chamond.
15.5cm Schwere Feldhaubitze(f)

Canon de 155 GPFCA
15.5cm Kanone 417(f)

Canon de 155 GPF
15.5cm Kanone 418(f)

Canon de 155 GPF-T
15.5cm Kanone 419(f)
(apparently a useful field piece so not so much used in fortifications)

Canon de 155 L Mle. St Chamond
15.5cm Kanone 420(f)

Canon de 155 Mle. 1877-1914 Schneider
15.5cm Kanone 422(f)

Canon de 155 L Mle.1918 Schneider
15.5cm Kanone 425(f)

Mortier de 220Mle.1916 Schneider
22cm Morser 531(f)

Canon de 220L Mle1917 Schneider
22cm Kanone 532(f)

Canon de 240L Mle.84/17 St. Chamond.
24cm Kanone 556(f)

Mortier de 280 Mle.14/16 Schneider
28cm Morser 601(f)
(used exclusively at the siege of Leningrad?)

There is a section on Coastal artillery which says roughly which guns were where. Along with that it lists French coastal guns that were just taken over by the Wehrmacht:

Canon de cote de 95 Mle.193
9.5cm Kusten kanone(f)

Mortier de cote de 270 Mle. 1889
27cm Kustenmorser 585(f)

Canone de cote 340 Mle.1012
34cm Kanone Modell 12(f)

There was a selection of French railway guns (I have 12 different types listed) used both on their original carriages and dismounted.
seems a fair few captured Belgian and Russian pieces were also employed along the coast.

Should be enough to get googling with .

Cheers,
Adam

[sapper]

It was not only French gear that they used. When Lt Arthur Heal RE CdG was making that heroic path through the Hillman enemy defence post. It is reported that as he lifetd the mines under heavy fire, he found French mines and Britsh mines captured after Dunkirk!
sapper

[Owen]

Have a look around this site too.
Maybe something there.
http://bunkersite.com/

[EvertonRock]

Ok thanks a lot guys, you have been of great help!