The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16, a super-heavy siege howitzer, played a crucial role in Austria-Hungary's artillery during World War I. Ordered initially in a pair, 'Barbara' and 'Gudrun' proved their mettle during the South Tyrol offensive of May 1916, prompting Austria-Hungary to commission an additional fourteen howitzers and two spare barrels. However, only eight of these were delivered before the war's end. The design was a scaled-up version of the Škoda 30.5 cm Mörser M. 16, showcasing the technological prowess of the era.
Transported in four loads by an eight-wheeled electric-powered trailer, the deployment of the 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 was a meticulous process. A 52 cubic meter pit served as the firing platform, taking eight to twenty hours to prepare. The platform, equipped with a rotating feature and a mounted crane, required an additional 6-8 hours for gun assembly. Loading the howitzer was limited to an 11° elevation. Despite these challenges, the howitzer boasted a maximum firing range of 15 km, with shells weighing an impressive 750 kg.
As the Great War concluded, the fate of some howitzers became uncertain. Eight guns were handed over to the Italians, while others saw a varied destiny. During World War II, five of these weapons were used by the Guardia alla Frontiera, but none saw combat. The Germany did not deploy any after the Anschluss, possibly due to ammunition shortages. One found its way to Romania after it was captured by the Romanian forces near Győr (Hungary) in 1919 during the Hungarian-Romanian War, but its use during World War II remains unclear. Notably, Howitzer No. 6 survives in the Heeresgeschichtliches Museum, Vienna, Austria, while 'Gudrun' (Howitzer No. 2) is housed in Bucharest, at the National Military Museum, Romania.
The 38 cm Belagerungshaubitze M 16 stands as a testament to Austria-Hungary's pursuit of innovative weaponry during World War I. From the strategic victories in South Tyrol to their varied fates in the post-war era, these siege howitzers remain an intriguing chapter in the annals of military history.