German 15 cm Kanone 16 Firing on the Eastern Front, Summer 1941

November 6, 2025 - Reading time: 4 minutes

German 15 cm Kanone 16 firing during combat operations on the Eastern Front, summer 1941.

This photograph captures the moment a German 15 cm Kanone 16 heavy field gun is fired on the Eastern Front during the summer of 1941. The gun crew is providing artillery support for advancing Wehrmacht infantry as they engage Soviet defensive positions in the early stages of Operation Barbarossa.

Originally developed during World War I, the 15-cm Kanone 16 (often referred to as K 16) remained in service through the interwar years and into World War II. Despite being an older design, the gun delivered long-range, high-explosive firepower, making it valuable for counter-battery missions, bombardment of fortified positions, and general battlefield support.

During the initial phase of the invasion, German artillery played a critical role in breaking through Soviet defensive lines. Rapid advances by mechanized and motorized units were closely coordinated with artillery units positioned to suppress resistance and disrupt communication lines. The K 16’s ability to reach targets at distances exceeding 20 kilometers allowed German forces to weaken Soviet defenses before infantry and armor closed in.

The image conveys both the technical precision and the violence of heavy artillery warfare. The blast, smoke, and recoil illustrate the raw power required to shift the frontline. Yet behind the dramatic moment lies a harsh logistical reality: transporting, deploying, and supplying such guns required extensive manpower, coordination, and constant ammunition supply — challenges that grew more difficult as German forces pushed deeper into Soviet territory.

This photograph is a clear reminder of how artillery shaped the tempo and destruction of the Eastern Front — a battlefield defined by vast distances, entrenched defenses, and unimaginable human cost.

Technical Photo Data:

📍 Location: USSR
📅 Date: Summer 1941
📝 Subject: German 15 cm Kanone 16 artillery firing during frontline support
📷 Photographer: Unknown

• German heavy artillery WWII
• Eastern Front long-range bombardment
• Wehrmacht infantry support operations
• Soviet defensive positions 1941
• Artillery crew firing sequence photograph