German
15 cm/48 (5.9") TBK SK C/36
Updated 17 February 2007
The 15 cm (5.9") was the standard caliber used on most German capital ships and cruisers since the turn of the century.  The capital ships used this gun size as their secondary weapons whereas the light cruisers and the "Narvik" class destroyers had these as their main weapons.  This particular version was used on the German "Narvik" class destroyers (Type 36A and Type 36A Mod).

Although this was a powerful gun, it had a slow rate of fire for a destroyer weapon and was really not suitable for such a small ship.  The heavy weight of the shells was also a problem as the gun lacked power assist, meaning that the shells had to be manually fed into the breech.  As the guns were originally used in single, open mountings, bad weather greatly hampered their operation.

When these destroyers were converted to a twin mount forward, the additional weight caused them to become very "wet" ships.  However, these problems were somewhat offset by the fact that the twin mount was fully enclosed and had a high maximum elevation, allowing for limited use against aircraft.

All German 15 cm guns had an actual bore diameter of 14.91 cm (5.87 in).
WNGER_59-48_skc36_Z39_pic.jpg

Z39 after surrendering in 1945
Note US Flag on the mainmast
USN Photograph
WNGER_59-48_skc36_Z38_pic.jpg

Z38 in Norway about 1942
WNGER_59-48_skc36_Turret_Sketch.jpg

General arrangement and dimensions of twin 15 cm LC/38 Turret
Sketch from "German Destroyers of World War Two"
All dimensions are in millimeters (mm)
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Gun Characteristics
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Designation 15 cm/55 (5.9") TBK SK C/36
Ship Class Used On Type 36A and 36A (mod) "Narvik" (Z23 and Z37) classes

Light Cruiser Emden was rearmed with this gun in 1942
Date Of Design 1936
Date In Service 1939
Gun Weight Single Mounting:  15,873 lbs. (7,200 kg)
Twin Mounting:  18,880 lbs. (8,564 kg)
Gun Length 282.1 in (7.165 m)
Bore length 268.3 in (6.815 m)
Rifling Length 220.0 in (5.587 m)
Grooves (44) 0.069 in deep x 0.242 in (1.75 mm x 6.14 mm)
Lands 0.177 in (4.5 mm)
Twist Increasing RH 1 in 45 to 1 in 30
Chamber Volume 1,294 in3 (21.2 dm3)
Rate Of Fire 7 - 8 rounds per minute
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Ammunition
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Type Separate
Projectile Types and Weights HE, base fuze - 99.8 lbs. (45.3 kg)
HE, nose fuze - 99.8 lbs. (45.3 kg)
Illum - N/A
Bursting Charge HE, base fuze - 8.6 lbs. (3.89 kg)
HE, nose fuze - 12.2 lbs. (6.0 kg)
Projectile Length HE, base fuze - 26.7 in (67.9 cm)
HE, nose fuze - 27.6 in (70.0 cm)
Propellant Charge 29.76 lbs. (13.5 kg) RPC/38 (7.5/3)
Cartridge - 51.8 lbs. (23.5 kg)
Muzzle Velocity 2,740 fps (835 mps)
Working Pressure 19.0 tons/in2 (3,000 kg/cm2)
Approximate Barrel Life 1,600 rounds
Ammunition stowage per gun 120 rounds
Notes:

1) "Naval Weapons of World War Two" states that a reduced weight projectile of 88.2 lbs. (40 kg) was developed for destroyer use.  However, no other source agrees with this and a search of Krupp records has failed to support this claim.

2) Destroyer outfits included nose and base fuzed HE with and without tracer and 80 illuminating shells per ship.

3) APC and HE ballistic caps had a radius of 8.5 calibers.  The tangent of the ballistic cap to the shell body was inclined at 5 degrees, which resulted in a projectile with a short overall length.

4) Actual German designations:
   HE, base fuze:  15 cm Spgr. L/4,5 Bdz (m.Hb)
   HE, nose fuze:  15 cm Spgr. L/4,6 Kz (m.Hb)
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Range
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Elevation With 99.8 lbs. (45.3 kg) HE Shell
Range @ 30 degrees 24,360 yards (21,950 m)
Range @ 47 degrees
(Twin Turret)		 25,700 yards (23,500 m)
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Mount / Turret Data
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Designation
(see Notes 1 and 3)		 Single Mount
   Type 36A (4), Type 36A (mob) (3) and Emden (8):  Tbts LC/36

Twin Mount
   Type 36A (mob) (1):  LDrh LC/38
Weight
(see Note 1)		 Tbts LC/36
   Hand worked:  35,494 lbs. (16,100 kg)
   Electric/hydraulic:  43,080 lbs. (19,540 kg)

Twin Mount:  133,159 lbs. (60,400 kg)
Elevation Tbts LC/36:  -10 / +30 degrees
LDrh LC/38:  -10 / +65 degrees
Elevation Rate Tbts LC/36:  Manual control, 1.9 degrees per handwheel revolution
LDrh LC/38:  8 degrees per second
Train
(see Note 5)		 Tbts LC/36:  360 degrees

LDrh LC/38:  +145 / -145 degrees
Train Rate Tbts LC/36:  Manual control, 3 degrees per handwheel revolution
LDrh LC/38:  8 degrees per second
Gun recoil Tbts LC/36:  16.7 in (42.5 cm)
LDrh LC/38:  17.3 in (44 cm)
Notes:

1) There were two types of single mounting, both with the same designation.  The earlier one had only manual elevation and training while the later one had Pittler-Thoma electric-hydraulic gear.  The former had a 6-10 mm shield and the latter had a 20-40 mm shield. This difference in the shield thickness makes up the bulk of the weight difference.  The twin mounting also used Pittler-Thoma gear.

2) "German Warships 1815-1945" says that the single mounting had an elevation range of -19 / +48 degrees, but a careful examination of photographs and sketches of the mounting throws doubt on this figure.  I believe the lower maximum elevation for the single mount given above to be correct.

3) As built, Type 36A destroyers (Z23 to Z30) and Type 36A (mob) destroyer Z31 had four single mountings.  During 1942-43, Z23, Z24, Z25 and Z31 were modified to have one twin and three single mountings.  The other Type 36A (mob) destroyers (Z32 to Z34 and Z37 to Z42) were completed with one twin and three single mountings.  Some of these guns were removed later in the war under "Operation Barbara" which was a program to increase AA weapons.

4) Z28 was rebuilt to have two single mountings forward, the only Type 36A to have this arrangement.  This modification was needed as the normal amidships mounting had been suppressed in order to provide additional accommodations for staff.

5) The LC/36 single mountings used on Emden and destroyers could make one complete revolution in either direction from the mid (fore and aft) position for a total of 720 degrees of train.  Firing arc was about -150 / +150 degrees.

6) The guns in the twin mount shared a common cradle and the gun axes were about 42 in (106 cm) apart.
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Data from
"Naval Weapons of World War Two" by John Campbell
"German Warships 1815-1945" by Erich Gröner
"German Destroyers of World War Two (2nd Edition)" by M.J. Whitley
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Special help from Peter Lienau