By Pierre Kosmidis

Photos © www.ww2wrecks.com

According to the info provided at the Athens War Museum, this exhibit is a Bulgarian (German made) Fahrpanzer (armoured mobile carriage gun), made by Krupp-Schuman, captured by the Greek Army in 1918.

Armored metal horse drawn carriage armed with a Krupp-Schuman 57mm gun were used by the Central Powers during World War I.

The Fahrpanzer featured a quick-firing small calibre gun mounted in a turret, which as originally designed for fortresses, but being easily transportable, was later used in armoured trains, on river boats and also in trenches.

Two-man operated, though seemingly very cramped inside the turret, it was used on both eastern and western fronts.

The Fahrpanzer was designed before WW1 as a fortress weapon.

Typically they would be mounted on a narrow gauge railway track protected by being in a shallow trench or behind a low parapet.

The Fahrpanzer would be located at one end of the track concealed by stone, concrete or earth works.

As and when needed (say to repel a storming attempt) the Fahrpanzer could be trundled out of hiding (using cables) to bring its gun to bear.

In WW1 they were utilised as trench strong points, some still using the rail system but most often as permanent emplacements.

Type: KRUPP-SCHUMAN
Origin: Γερμανία
Model: 1894
Calibre: 57 mm
Range: 6.000 m