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Plate 009 · Howitzer · World War I
Big Bertha
"Dicke Bertha"
Krupp's super-heavy howitzer that demolished the Belgian forts in August 1914.
Historical Record
Provenance & Service
Designed by Krupp's engineer Fritz Rausenberger and named, by tradition, after Bertha Krupp, this M-Gerät 42 cm howitzer reduced the modern fortresses of Liège and Namur within days of the German invasion of Belgium in 1914. Twelve were built. Its shells could penetrate concrete up to 12 meters thick.