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Krupp Big Bertha

Postcard of German gunners firing on a city. The portrait is of Dr. Gustav Krupp von Bohlen-Halbach who took the name Krupp when he married Bertha Krupp. 'Diligent Bertha' was one of the names used for the large guns; others included 'Dicke Bertha' ('fat Bertha') and 'Big Bertha'. Text: Sieg und Zuversicht! hurrah! Durch uns're fleissige Bertha! Victory and confidence! hurray! Through our diligent Bertha! Reverse: Postally used, November 29, 1914

Postcard of German gunners firing on a city. The portrait is of Dr. Gustav Krupp von Bohlen-Halbach who took the name Krupp when he married Bertha Krupp. 'Diligent Bertha' was one of the names used for the large guns; others included 'Dicke Bertha' ('fat Bertha') and 'Big Bertha'.

Image text

Sieg und Zuversicht! hurrah!

Durch uns're fleissige Bertha!

Victory and confidence! hurray!

Through our diligent Bertha!

Reverse:

Postally used, November 29, 1914

Other views: Larger, Back

The Krupp howitzer M-Gerät fired a 42 cm shell that weighed up to 1,160 kg or 2,557 lb. It was popularly referred to as Big Bertha, possibly after the manufacturer's daughter.

The guns were used to destroy the Belgian forts of Liège, Namur, Dinant, and Antwerp, and the French fortress of Maubeuge.

Big Bertha is an artillery: heavy gun.

A sample technology column chart graphic

Some books about Big Bertha (1)

Title Author
Tanks and Weapons of World War I Bernard Fitzsimons (ed.)