World War II Database

Country of Origin	Germany
Type	Anti-Tank Gun
Caliber	81.400 mm
Length	2.950 m
Weight	640.000 kg
Ammunition Weight	2.70 kg
Range	750.000 m
Muzzle Velocity	520 m/s

Contributor: C. Peter Chen

ww2dbaseThe 8H63 anti-tank guns began their career under the Rheinmetall-Borsig design name of 8-centimeter Panzerabwehrwerfer (PAW) 600. They were designed in response to a 1943 German Army specification for a new lightweight anti-tank weapon that would consume less propellant than a rocket or recoilless weapon that could hit a target at the range of 750 meters. At the weight of about 600 kilograms, they were each lighter than their 7.5-centimeter PaK 40 predecessors by about half. The standard anti-tank shells used by 8H63 guns were the 2.7-kilogram 8-centimeter W Gr Patr H1 4462 ammunition, which were most effective when not spinning at the point of impact, thus 8H63 gun barrels were smooth bore. They were mounted on split trail carriages that were also relatively lightweight. At the 750-meter tested range, the 8H63 guns could penetrate 140-millimeter of vertical armor with this type of ammunition, which was similar to the capability of 7.5-centimeter PaK 40 guns. When situation demanded, they could also effectively fire high explosive, smoke, and illuminating rounds to support infantry units; this dual-capability made them rather unique and valuable among guns in German Army's inventory. Mass production began in Dec 1944. 81 guns were delivered to the German Army during Jan 1945, and by 1 Mar 1945 there were 155 in the German Army inventory. About another 100 were under construction at that time. None of them saw combat during WW2.

Source: Wikipedia ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Apr 2018

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