In June 1937, the Waffenamt ordered a self-propelled version of the 60cm siege mortar to be built. General Karl Becker of the Artillery was heavily involved in its development, hence the sobriquet "Karl" used to describe it. The driving trials were held at Unterlass in May 1940, and delivery of six production vehicles occurred between November 1940 and August 1941. In February 1941, discussions were undertaken on ways to increase the weapon's range. In May 1942, 54cm barrels (Gerat 041) were ordered for the six production vehicles. At a conference with Hitler in March 1943, it was stated that the first 54cm Gerat 041 would be delivered by June 1943, a second in July, and a third by mid-August. The 60cm and 54cm barrels were designed to be interchangeable, based on the ammunition at hand and range of the target. In 1945, US forces captured vehicle No. II with a 60cm mortar, and vehicle No. V with a 54cm.

Dragon Armor has released a mightily impressive 1:35 scale model of the sixth gun to be built, which was named 'Ziu'. This particular gun, 'Ziu', was famously employed in the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The model is fully assembled and pre-painted, and is ready for immediate display - as long as collectors can clear enough space for it! It constitutes an impressive model thanks to its sheer size and bulk though fortunately it doesn't weigh nearly as much as the original mortar! This Dragon Armor item is full of intricate detail, and it is presented in firing mode with the chassis lowered. The three-color camouflage scheme is particularly well done, and represents the work of true craftsmen. As a special bonus, a huge shell is included with this assembled model, which gives a sense of the sheer scale of this weapon. The real gun could attain a rate of fire of only six rounds per hour, and its strategic success was limited at best, but as a model, this 1:35 scale 'Ziu' is unbeatable in its 'shock and awe' effect! Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Width: 5-inches
Height: 6-1/2-inches
Length: 12-1/2-inches

Release Date: April 2008

Historical Account: "The Uprising" - The Warsaw Uprising (Powstanie Warszawskie) was an armed struggle during the Second World War by the Polish Home Army (Armia Krajowa) to liberate Warsaw from German occupation and Nazi rule. It started on August 1st, 1944, as part of a nationwide uprising called Operation Tempest. The Polish troops resisted the German-led forces until October 2nd (63 days in total). Losses on the Polish side amounted to 18,000 soldiers killed, 25,000 wounded and over 250,000 civilians killed, mostly in mass executions conducted by advancing German troops.

Casualties on the German side amounted to over 17,000 soldiers killed and 9,000 wounded. During the urban combat -- and after the end of hostilities, when German forces acting on Hitler's orders burned the city systematically, block by block -- an estimated 85% of the city was destroyed.

The Uprising started at a crucial point in the war as the Soviet army approached Warsaw. The Soviet army had reached a point within a few hundred meters from the city across the Vistula River on September 16th, but failed to make further headway in the course of the Uprising, leading to accusations that Stalin did not want the Uprising to succeed.

There is no evidence that the Home Army coordinated its struggle with the Soviet army. According to Russian memoirs (for example Konstantin Rokossovsky who led the Warsaw liberation) the Home Army tried to liberate the city before (and without) the Soviet army. (courtesy: Wikipedia)