The IG 18 fired a 75mm cased-cartridge type projectile weighing 13lbs with loading by the crew through a shotgun-style block breech mechanism. The gun mounting allowed for an elevation span of -10 to +73 degrees with traversal to either side of 12-degrees. An experiences, well-trained crew could reach a rate-of-fire of eight to twelve rounds per minute. Muzzle velocity was rated at 690 feet per second while maximum range was out to nearly 4,000 yards.
One notable variant of the IG 18 line was the 7.5cm le.GebIG 18 "mountain gun" which was the same artillery piece though designed to be broken down into six pieces for ease of travel. In this way, the weapon could be taken through the awkward mountain passes and fired from uneven ground. They proved valuable to lightly-armed forces such as German paratroopers as well.
The IG 18 series managed an active existence through all of World War 2 across countless campaigns where its short-/medium-ranged, relative light weight design and heavy hitting firepower were used alongside infantry maneuvers. The weapons could also be dug in and utilized in the defensive role.
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