42 cm M-Gerät Big Bertha Siege Howitzer

The German 42 cm M-Gerät, popularly called Big Bertha, was a wheeled siege howitzer developed by Krupp before the First World War. It was intended to defeat heavily protected fortifications and became famous during the opening campaigns of 1914. Unlike the later tracked Karl-Gerät, it was moved and assembled with substantial transport support. Its heavy shells could penetrate or wreck vulnerable concrete works, but preparation, ammunition supply, and limited mobility constrained employment. As fortification design improved and mobile warfare evolved, the conditions for its most dramatic early successes became harder to reproduce. The name therefore identifies a specialized First World War siege weapon, not a Second World War self-propelled mortar.

Finish and color

Supplied unpainted and printed in the selected color. Choose from the available product color options.

Tabletop use

Suitable for period-appropriate custom scenarios in Global War 1914, Global Empires, and compatible Axis & Allies games. Use suitable scenario or house rules for unit statistics and any technology upgrades. This piece does not supply additional game rules.

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