280 mm mortar M1939 (Br-5)

The 280 mm mortar M1939 (Br-5) (280-мм мортира образца 1939 года (Бр-5)) was a Soviet heavy artillery piece used during World War II. This mortar was the Red Army´s heaviest field piece. Distinguished by the siege of Berlin, these weapons quickened up the Red Army´s assault on the German capital. Due to the heavy weight of shell (168 kg) the blast created a 10 metre deep crater. The weapon had low rate of fire due to muzzle overheating.