SKODA 100MM HOWITZER GUN 14/19 - 1939

Description

The Skoda houfnice vz 14 was created in 1914. It was used by the Imperial Austro-Hungarian Army during World War One. Large numbers were acquired by Italy after the break-up of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. An improved version was created in 1919 after the war. Main improvement was a longer barrel, offering greater range, which could be mounted in old beds. It was sold to many nations before 1938, including Greece, Hungary, Poland, and Yugoslavia. Some versions had rubber tires so they could be pulled by trucks but most retained wooden spoked-wheels so they could be pulled by mule teams. It was also manufactured in Poland in Starachowice as wz.1914/19P howitzer. Germany captured a large number of guns when they conquered Czechoslovakia and Poland and seized additional guns while fighting in Italy, Yugoslavia, Hungary, and Greece. They were relegated to second-line service and incorporated into defensive lines and fortifications after 1942. (Scale : 1/72e)