History
From the archivesThe big booms come to Grafenwoehr
Stars and Stripes
October 25, 2025
A 4th Division Artillery Honest John short-range rocket on its launch vehicle, carrying a 1,300 pound warhead. The division tested the short-range unguided rocket during an exercise at Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 25, 1955. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
“The 7th Army lifted the curtain on two hard-hitting new weapons in a recent 4th Division Artillery training exercise at Grafenwoehr,” Stars and Stripes editors wrote in the blurb accompanying the 1/2 page photo spread in the Stars and Stripes Europe edition of May 31, 1955.
The spectacle was something to behold indeed, judging from the hundreds of troops and dozens of high ranking brass — domestic and even foreign — who flocked to the training grounds to see the massive fire power.
Troops gathered on a hill to witness the fire power of U.S. Army Europe’s new cannons as 4th Division Artillery men loaded and fired heavy shells from “Atomic Annie,” the M65 280mm Motorized Heavy Gun, and “Honest John,” the short-range rocket, Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 25, 1955. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
Troops sitting on a hilltop at Grafenwoehr Training Area wait until the next rounds are fired during a 4th Division Artillery training exercise. The large crowd came to see the firing of the Army's two new heavy hitters: "Atomic Annie," and "Honest John." (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
Officer wives and children get a prime spot on a hilltop at Grafenwoehr Training Area as they wait until the next rounds of the Army's two new big guns. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
An artillery man rests his hand on a 600lb shell on display, the M65 280mm Motorized Heavy Gun, also known as "Atomic Annie," or Atomic Cannon, behind him. The heavy gun fired two of the 600-pound shells on target as during a 4th Division Artillery training exercise at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
4th Division Artillery troops watch, some through binoculars, as shots fired hit their target, sending up clouds of dust. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
The M65 280mm Motorized Heavy Gun, also known as "Atomic Annie," or Atomic Cannon, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. The heavy gun fired two 600-pound shells on target as 4th Division Artillery troops watched the exhibit with other high ranking dignitaries. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
Full frontal view of the M65 280mm Motorized Heavy Gun, also known as "Atomic Annie," or Atomic Cannon, at Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
4th Inf. Div troops and several high ranking dignitaries — foreign and domestic — flocked to Grafenwoehr to witness the fire power of U.S. Army Europe’s two new weapons, “Atomic Annie,” and “Honest John,” — although neither demonstrated their nuclear warhead capabilities, Grafenwoehr, Germany, May 25, 1955. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
A sea of troops and several high ranking officers and foreign military dignitaries gathered at Grafenwoehr to see the Army's new heavy hitters for themselves. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
Several 4th Division soldiers found a good high point in between some pine trees at Grafenwoehr Training Area to watch their artillery unit fire some exceptionally big guns. (Merle Hunter/Stars and Stripes)
Loud booms reverberated through the surrounding forests as artillery men fired two 600-pound shells out of “Atomic Annie,” the M65 280mm Motorized Heavy Gun, first introduced to the nation during President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s inaugural parade Jan. 20, 1953.
“Honest John,” the short-range rocket deployed to Europe later that same year, made an even bigger bang, firing a 1,300 pound warhead on target.
Although both are capable of firing atomic warheads, they only fired conventional ones during this training exercise.