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Plate 008 · Railway Gun · World War I
Paris Gun
"Pariser Kanone"
The longest-ranged gun ever fielded — shells reached the stratosphere on their way to Paris.
Moving Image
Footage
Short overview with archival imagery of the 1918 bombardment of Paris.
Germany's WWI 'Space Gun' — the Paris Gun
SiegeMental via YouTube
Historical Record
Provenance & Service
From March to August 1918, the Paris Gun bombarded the French capital from over 120 km away. Its shells were the first man-made objects to reach the stratosphere, requiring gunners to account for the rotation of the Earth. Of negligible military effect but enormous psychological impact, the gun was withdrawn before the Armistice and never recovered by the Allies.