Little David

{{distinguish|text=the Davidka (''"Little David"''), a homemade Israeli mortar used in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War}} {{other uses}} {{Infobox weapon | name = Little David | image = Little-david an US siege mortar world war II.jpg | image_size = 300 | caption = Little David at the Aberdeen Proving Ground | origin = United States | type = Heavy mortar | is_ranged = yes | is_bladed = | is_explosive = | is_artillery = Artillery | is_vehicle = | is_missile = | is_UK =  | service = Testing only | used_by = United States | designer = | design_date = | manufacturer = | unit_cost = | production_date = | number = | variants =  | spec_label = | weight = {{convert|173,000|lb|ton}} | length = | part_length = {{convert|22|ft|m}} | width = | height = | diameter = | crew =  | cartridge = {{convert|3650|lb|kg|sigfig=4}} | caliber = {{convert|36|in|mm|sigfig=3}} | barrels = 1 | action = | rate = | velocity = {{convert|1250|ft/s|m/s|sigfig=3}} | range = | max_range = {{convert|9500|yd|km}} | feed = Muzzle loading | sights =  | breech = | recoil = | carriage = | elevation = | traverse =  | blade_type = | hilt_type = | sheath_type = | head_type = | haft_type =  | filling = | filling_weight = | detonation = | yield =  | armour = | primary_armament = | secondary_armament = | engine = | engine_power = | pw_ratio = | transmission = | payload_capacity = | suspension = | clearance = | wingspan = | propellant = | fuel_capacity = | vehicle_range = | ceiling = | altitude = | depth = | boost = | speed = | guidance = | steering = | accuracy = | launch_platform = | transport = }}

'''Little David''' was the nickname of an American {{convert|36|in|mm|adj=on}} caliber mortar designed and tested between 1944 and 1945 to breach the Siegfried Line. It was also used for test-firing aerial bombs during the final years of World War II. With the same calibre as the British Mallet's Mortar which was constructed in May 1857, it is one of the largest-calibre guns ever built, having a larger calibre than both of Germany's Schwerer Gustav and Dora which were {{convert|31.5|in|mm|adj=on}} railway guns.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=Little David Heavy Siege Mortar |url=https://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.php?armor_id=296 |access-date=22 February 2013 |website=MilitaryFactory}}</ref>

==History== The mortar was developed as an extension of a previous proposal to destroy heavy concrete fortifications such as the Siegfried Line with massive plastic explosive charges delivered by rocket or bomb. During a discussion between representatives of the Ballistic Research Laboratory and the Office of the Chief of Ordnance it was suggested that instead of dropping such a charge from an airplane, it could be fired from a mortar. Development began of a {{convert|914|mm|abbr=on}} siege mortar firing a {{convert|3650|lb|abbr=on}} shell. The mortar's base was a large steel box that was placed below ground, with its top flush with the surrounding surface, allowing the mortar's muzzle to be lowered horizontal for loading at ground level.<ref name=":1" /> [[File:Little David Mortar.jpg|thumb|"Little David" 36 inch (914 mm) mortar emplacement at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.|left]]

After the Siegfried Line was breached with conventional forces, Little David was instead considered for use against the extremely strong fortifications during the expected invasion of Japan. The decision was made to test for this purpose, but the end of the war also removed all need for Little David to be deployed. The mortar was able to be transported as a two-piece mobile unit, consisting of the {{convert|80000|lb|abbr=on}} barrel and the {{convert|93000|lb|abbr=on}} base transported by two M25 tractors. In addition to the two main loads, the Little David unit would also include a bulldozer and crane with bucket to dig the emplacement for the mortar's base.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Little David |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/systems/ground/little-david.htm |access-date=14 February 2012 |website=GlobalSecurity.org}}</ref>

The huge mortar could be ready to fire in 12 hours. The largest (800 mm) known German artillery weapons were hauled on 25 railway cars and required three weeks to put in firing position, but had a longer range of {{cvt|47|km}} compared to the {{cvt|9.7|km}} of Little David.<ref name=":0" />

Little David was by calibre one of the largest artillery pieces ever produced, although Schwerer Gustav and Dora fired a much heavier shell. Little David's overall effectiveness would have been questionable because of its limited range and accuracy. When Japan surrendered, the invasion became unnecessary, and Little David (still in its trial phase) never saw combat.

With the closure of the Aberdeen Proving Ground Ordnance Museum and relocation to Fort Lee,<ref name="om">{{cite web|url=http://www.ordmusfound.org|title=Army Ordnance Museum|publisher=www.ordmusfound.org}} retrieved 29 October 2021</ref> the status of Little David was previously in doubt as only restored pieces made the transfer.<ref name="am">{{cite web|url=https://www.army.mil/article/29838/ordnance-museum-looks-to-future/|title=Ordnance Museum looks to future|publisher=www.army.mil}} retrieved 29 October 2021</ref>

As of September 2023 Little David has been moved to the new museum location and is slated to undergo restoration prior to display.<ref>{{Cite web |last=VBC |date=2023-08-09 |title=Meet "Little David," the World's Largest Gun from World War II |url=https://veteransbreakfastclub.org/the-father-son-team-keeping-alive-the-memory-of-wwiis-little-david-the-worlds-largest-gun/ |access-date=2023-09-27 |website=Veterans Breakfast Club |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}} * {{cite book | last = | first = | author-link = | title = Sketches of the Ordnance Research and Development Center in World War II. | publisher= | year = 1945 | isbn = }}

==Sources==

==External links== {{Commons category|Little David mortar}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3NoiO8z8mVc newsreel] from the Army Pictorial Service *[http://www.williammaloney.com/Aviation/AberdeenUSArmyOrdinanceMuseum/HeavyArtillery/LittleDavidMortar/index.htm Little David Mortar] Present day photos of the Little David Mortar at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, MD

Category:Mortars of the United States Category:World War II mortars Category:Trial and research firearms of the United States Category:914 mm artillery Category:Individual cannons Category:Military equipment introduced from 1940 to 1944 Category:Articles containing video clips Category:Japan campaign