Bofors guns (except 40 mm AA)

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Bofors 40 mm AA gun M/1936 is worldwide known. Bofors however made several other types for export. One was 37 mm AT-gun M/1938.

250 such guns were ordered by Britain, but only 80 were delivered before the war halted further deliveries.

In GB the 37 mm gun was designed Ordnance QF 37 mm Mk I.

Picture: A 37 mm AT-gun m/38 in Stockholm 1943. In the background a 22-ton tank m/42.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

The picture failed to show up. Here I do a new attempt.

What happened with the 80 guns that were delivered to GB?

[Ivica]

“They were known as Ordnance Q.F. 37 mm Mk 1 and used mainly by 3rd RHA and 106th RHA (Lancashire Hussars) within 7th Armoured Division, although some did also see use in Somaliland.”

From: http://www.btinternet.com/~ian.a.pat...partillery.htm

LRDP units in Western Desert also used them, before switch to 20mm Breda guns.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Thank you! Very interesting.

The Germans also used the 37 mm Bofors AT-gun. These were captured in Poland 1939 and in Denmark 1940.

Both Denmark and Poland made guns under licence from Bofors.

The Polish 3,7 cm armata przeciwpancerny was in Germany known as 3,7 cm PaK 36 (p) and the Danish 37 mm Fodfolkskanon m1937 became 3,7 cm PaK 157 (d).

[ramtank2]

I belive the Sudan Defence Force ordered the Bofors 37mm pre-ww2, which were taken over by British.
I don't know quanity ordered by SDF or if these guns were part of British order you mention.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Sudan? Interesting. Thank You!

In 1919 Krupp was forbidden by the Versailles Treaty to make arms but took up contacts with Bofors and transferred production to Sweden. Bofors and Krupp shared their patents.

In the late 20-ies an improved type of 75 mm gun with V-tail was designed as 75 mm Field Gun L/40.

In 1934 Belgium is said to have bought 20 pcs, but I am not sure that this is correct.

Anyhow Argentina ordered 224 pcs (no:s 1-224) and Siam/Thailand 80 pcs (no:s 225-305).

When WW 2 broke out 52 guns had not been delivered and these were 1939-1940 placed under embargo by the Swedish Government and used by the Swedish Army.

Of these 24 guns were originally for Argentina. Eight of those were sold to Finland and 16 issued to 1st Bn 2nd Arty Regt. Designed m/40 A.

28 guns originally for Siam were issued to 1st Bn 7th Arty Regt and 1st Bn 22nd Arty Regt. Designed m/40 S.

Finally a new batch of 20 guns were made in 1942 and issued to 2nd Bn 22nd Arty Regt. Designed m/40.

So now the questions:

Did Argentina receive 200 guns and Siam/Thailand 52 guns?

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Denmark bought the 37 mm Bofors AT gun M.34 S.

On 9th April 1940 07H50 at Haderslev a guncrew opened fire on the invading Germans. Three rounds were fired scoring three hits on German tanks before the AT-gun was hit by German fire.

2lt Frode Vesterby and gunner Christian Hansen were killed. Crewmen Berthelsen, Christensen and Hansen were injured.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

The wrecked 37 mm gun after the fighting in Haderslev.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

Prototype made in 1932. Export were later made to:

DENMARK Ff.K M.33 and M.37
An unknown number bought from Bofors in 1933 as Fodfolkskanon (Infantry Gun) M.33.
Later produced in Denmark by Haerens Vaabenarsenal as M.37.

FINLAND type 37 PstK/36 Bofors
114 bought from Bofors
42 supplied from Germany (ex- Polish guns)
355 made in Finland by Valtion Tykkitehdas (State Arms Factory)

GERMANY 3,7 cm PaK 36 (p) and 157 (d)
Great numbers captured in Poland and Denmark

GREAT BRITAIN Ordnance 37 mm Q.F. Mk 1
80 taken over from Sudan Defence Forces.
Used by 3rd RHA, 112th RHA, LRDG and in Somalia

EDIT: The Somalia connection is just a rumor. According to Bofors archieves 250 were ordered by GB. 80 delivered.

NETHERLANDS
12 bougt from Bofors 1935
Production in NL not known

EDIT: Wrong, these 12 were for Armoured Cars made by Landsverk in Sweden.

POLAND type 37 mm wz.36
300 bought from Bofors 1936
900 or more made by Stowarzyszenie Mechanikow Polski z Ameriky
Poland exported guns

ROMANIA
556 guns supplied by Germany or brought by Polish troops seeking refuge in Romania

SOVIET UNION
Unknown number Polish guns captured

SPAIN (Franco Nationalists)
Unknown number bought from Poland

EDIT: Other sourse says 30 to the Republicans aka "Peru" 1938.

SUDAN
250 (?) bought from Bofors of which 80 delivered

EDIT: Wrong according to Bofors.

SWEDEN 37 mm pvkan m/34 and m/38
12 m/34 delivered 1935
491 m/38 delivered 1939-43

TURKEY
Details not known

YUGOSLAVIA
Details not known

Picture: Polish gun captured by Germany.

[Stellan Bojerud (RIP)]

The Polish Carpathian Rifle Brigade in North Africa had at least 12 pcs 37 mm Bofors AT-guns. (Tobruk, Gazala, Bardia, Op Crusader).

Picture: Polish 37 mm AT-gun wz.36.