Jump to content

BL 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer: Difference between revisions

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Content deleted Content added
corrected ref link
Rescuing 1 sources and tagging 0 as dead.) #IABot (v2.0.9.5
 
(37 intermediate revisions by 29 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Medium howitzer used during World War I and World War II}}
{{Infobox Weapon
{{Infobox weapon
|is_artillery=yes
|is_artillery=yes
|is_UK=yes
|is_UK=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|is_ranged=yes
|image= [[File:6 inch 26 cwt howitzer.jpg|300px]]
|image= File:6 inch 26 cwt howitzer.jpg
|image_size = 300px
|caption= A 6 inch 26 cwt on [[World War II]] pneumatic tyres at [[Firepower - The Royal Artillery Museum]].
|caption= A 6 inch 26 cwt on [[World War II]] pneumatic tyres at the [[Royal Artillery Museum]].
|name= BL 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer
|name= BL 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer
|origin=[[United Kingdom]]
|origin=United Kingdom
|used_by=[[United Kingdom]]<br>[[Canada]]<br>[[Union of South Africa]]<br>[[Australia]]<br>[[New Zealand]]<br>[[Kingdom of Italy]]<br>[[Netherlands]]<br>[[Belgium]]<br>[[Kingdom of Greece]]<br>[[Russian Empire]]<br>[[Portugal]]
|used_by=United Kingdom<br>Canada<br>[[Union of South Africa]]<br>Australia<br>New Zealand<br>Italy<br>Netherlands<br>Belgium<br>Greece<br>[[Russian Empire]]<br>Portugal<br>Estonian Republic
|wars=[[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]
|wars=[[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]]
|prod_date=1915 - ?
|type= [[Howitzer|Medium howitzer]]
|type= [[Howitzer|Medium howitzer]]
|service=1916 to 1945<!-- Production history -->
|date=
|service=1915 to 1945
<!-- Production history -->
|designer=[[Vickers]]
|designer=[[Vickers]]
|design_date=1915
|design_date=1915
|manufacturer=[[Vickers]], [[William Beardmore and Company|Beardmore]], [[Coventry Ordnance Works]], [[Royal Arsenal|Woolwich Ordnance Factory]], [[Midvale Steel Company]]
|manufacturer=[[Vickers]], [[William Beardmore and Company|Beardmore]], [[Coventry Ordnance Works]], [[Royal Arsenal|Woolwich Ordnance Factory]], [[Midvale Steel Company]]
|unit_cost=
|unit_cost=
|production_date=
|production_date=1915 - ?
|variants=
|variants=
<!-- General specifications -->
<!-- General specifications -->
Line 24: Line 23:
|caliber= {{convert|6|in|mm|sigfig=4||abbr=on}}
|caliber= {{convert|6|in|mm|sigfig=4||abbr=on}}
|part_length=Bore: {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<br>Total: {{convert|7|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} L/13.3
|part_length=Bore: {{convert|6|ft|8|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=3}}<br>Total: {{convert|7|ft|3|in|m|abbr=on|sigfig=3}} L/13.3
|carriage=Box trail
|carriage=[[Gun carriage#Modern gun carriages|Box trail]]
|width={{convert|6|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|width={{convert|6|ft|10|in|m|abbr=on}}
|breech= [[Welin screw]]
|breech= [[Welin screw]]
Line 37: Line 36:
|range=
|range=
|max_range=WWI {{convert|100|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} shell : {{convert|9,500|yd|m}}<br>
|max_range=WWI {{convert|100|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} shell : {{convert|9,500|yd|m}}<br>
WWII {{convert|86|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} shell : {{convert|11,400|yd|m}}<ref>Clarke page 37 quotes 9,500 and {{convert|11,400|yd|abbr=on}}; General Farndale page 129-130 quotes a range of {{convert|9,800|yd|abbr=on}} for the WWI 2 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell, with a range of {{convert|12,500|yd|abbr=on}} for the later 5/10 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell. The longer ranges were obtained with the {{convert|86|lb|abbr=on}} Mk 2D 5/10 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell with an augmenting ("Super") charge.</ref>
WWII {{convert|86|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} shell : {{convert|11,400|yd|m}}<ref>Clarke page 37 quotes 9,500 and {{convert|11,400|yd|abbr=on}}; General Farndale page 129-130 quotes a range of {{convert|9,800|yd|abbr=on}} for the WWI 2 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell, with a range of {{convert|12,500|yd|abbr=on}} for the later 5/10 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell. The longer ranges were obtained with the {{convert|86|lb|abbr=on}} Mk 2D 5/10 [[List of British ordnance terms#C.R.H.|c.r.h.]] shell with an augmenting ("Super") charge.</ref>
|recoil=[[British ordnance terms#Hydro-pneumatic|Hydro-pneumatic]], variable
|recoil=[[British ordnance terms#Hydro-pneumatic|Hydro-pneumatic]], variable
|weight= Barrel: {{convert|2,856|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<br>Total: {{convert|8,142|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=Hogg&Thurston1972Page126-127 />
|weight= Barrel: {{convert|2,856|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<br>Total: {{convert|8,142|lb|kg|abbr=on}}<ref name=Hogg&Thurston1972Page126-127 />
|length={{convert|21|ft|7|in|abbr=on}}
|length={{convert|21|ft|7|in|abbr=on}}
|crew=10
|crew=10
|number=3,633
|number=3,633
}}
}}
The '''Ordnance BL 6&nbsp;inch 26cwt howitzer''' was a [[United Kingdom|British]] [[howitzer]] used during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. The qualifier "26cwt" refers to the weight of the barrel and breech together which weighed {{convert|26|long cwt|t|lk=in}}.
The '''Ordnance BL 6&nbsp;inch 26cwt howitzer''' was a British [[howitzer]] used during [[World War I]] and [[World War II]]. The qualifier "26cwt" refers to the weight of the barrel and breech together which weighed {{convert|26|long cwt|t|lk=in}}.


==History==
==History==
===World War I===
===World War I===
[[File:6inch26cwtHowitzerBatteryFiring.jpg|thumb|left|<center>Battery firing, World War I</center>]]
[[File:6inch26cwtHowitzerBatteryFiring.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Battery firing, World War I}}]]
[[File:6inchHowitzerPozieresSeptember1916.jpg|thumb|left|<center>Use of girdles around wheels, [[Battle of the Somme|Somme]] September 1916.Photo by [[Ernest Brooks (photographer)|Ernest Brooks]].</center>]]
[[File:6inchHowitzerPozieresSeptember1916.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Use of girdles around wheels, [[Battle of the Somme|Somme]] September 1916}}]]
[[File:6inch26cwtHowitzerBoesinghe16August1917.jpg|thumb|left|<center>Near Boesinghe, [[:en:Battle of Langemarck (1917)|Battle of Langemarck]], August 1917. Photo by [[Ernest Brooks (photographer)|Ernest Brooks]].</center>]]
[[File:6inch26cwtHowitzerBoesinghe16August1917.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Near Boesinghe, [[:en:Battle of Langemarck (1917)|Battle of Langemarck]], August 1917}}]]
It was developed to replace the obsolescent 6&nbsp;inch 25 cwt and [[6 inch 30 cwt howitzer|6 inch 30 cwt]] howitzers which were outclassed by German artillery such as the [[15 cm sFH 13|15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 13]]. Design began in January 1915, the first proof-firing occurred on 30 July 1915 and it entered service in late 1915.<ref name=Hogg&Thurston1972Page126-127>Hogg & Thurston 1972, Page 126-127</ref> Its combination of firepower, range and mobility (for its day) made it one of the British Empire's most important weapons in World War I.
It was developed to replace the obsolescent 6&nbsp;inch 25 cwt and [[6 inch 30 cwt howitzer|6 inch 30 cwt]] howitzers which were outclassed by German artillery such as the [[15 cm sFH 13|15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 13]]. Design began in January 1915, the first proof-firing occurred on 30 July 1915 and it entered service in late 1915.<ref name=Hogg&Thurston1972Page126-127>Hogg & Thurston 1972, Page 126-127</ref> Its combination of firepower, range and mobility (for its day) made it one of the British Empire's most important weapons in World War I.


It was originally towed by horses but from 1916 onwards was commonly towed by the "FWD" 4 wheel drive 3 ton lorry as heavy field artillery. The wooden spoked wheels could be fitted with "girdles" for work in mud or sand to prevent them sinking. Towards the end of the war solid rubber tyres were fitted over the iron tyres on the wheel rims, giving the rims a heavier appearance. It fired 22.4 million rounds on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref>Clarke 2005, page 37</ref>
It was originally towed by horses but from 1916 onwards was commonly towed by the [[Four Wheel Drive|FWD 4 wheel drive]] 3 ton lorry as heavy field artillery. The wooden spoked wheels could be fitted with "girdles" for work in mud or sand to prevent them sinking. Towards the end of the war solid rubber tyres were fitted over the iron tyres on the wheel rims, giving the rims a heavier appearance. It fired 22.4 million rounds on the [[Western Front (World War I)|Western Front]].<ref name="Clarke 2005, page 37">Clarke 2005, page 37</ref>


<br style="clear:left;" ><!--don't delete this, it forces next heading to nicely follow below the Images-->
{{clear|left}}<!--don't delete this, it forces next heading to nicely follow below the Images-->


===World War II===
===World War II===
[[File:6 inch howitzers Tobruk Jan 1941 AWM 005610.jpeg|thumb|left|<center>British battery in action at [[Operation_Compass#Tobruk|Tobruk]], 23 January 1941</center>]]
[[File:6 inch howitzers Tobruk Jan 1941 AWM 005610.jpeg|thumb|left|{{center|British battery in action at [[Operation Compass#Tobruk|Tobruk]], 23 January 1941}}]]
During the interwar period the carriage had its wooden spoked wheels replaced with modern steel wheels and pneumatic tyres. During World War II, its use was restricted after 1942 when the replacement [[BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun]] came into use. It was however reintroduced in Burma due to a number of premature detonations in {{convert|5.5|in|adj=on}} guns. It was declared obsolete with the end of the war in 1945.
During the interwar period the carriage had its wooden spoked wheels replaced with modern steel wheels and pneumatic tyres. During World War II, its use was restricted after 1942 when the replacement [[BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun]] came into use but it was reintroduced in Burma due to a number of premature detonations in {{convert|5.5|in|adj=on}} guns. It was declared obsolete with the end of the war in 1945.


Captured examples received the designation FH-412(e) in German use.
Captured examples received the designation FH-412(e) in German use.
<br style="clear:left;" ><!--don't delete this, it forces next heading to nicely follow below the Images-->
{{clear|left}}<!--don't delete this, it forces next heading to nicely follow below the Images-->


==Surviving examples==
==Surviving examples==
[[File:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer71SiegeBatteryMemorialJburgZooLeftSide.jpg|thumb|left|<center>Restored gun, the Memorial to 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery at Johannesburg Zoo. </center>]]
[[File:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer71SiegeBatteryMemorialJburgZooLeftSide.jpg|thumb|left|{{center|Restored gun, the Memorial to 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery at Johannesburg Zoo. }}]]
*[http://www.firepower.org.uk Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, London]
*[http://www.firepower.org.uk Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, London] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426223239/http://www.firepower.org.uk/ |date=26 April 2016 }}
*[http://www.armymuseum.co.nz Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand]
*[http://www.armymuseum.co.nz Army Memorial Museum, Waiouru, New Zealand]
*[http://www.northfort.org.au Royal Australian Artillery Museum], North Head, Sydney, Australia
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080611050407/http://www.northfort.org.au/ Royal Australian Artillery Museum], North Head, Sydney, Australia
*[http://www.museodellaguerra.it/eng/index_eng.html Museo della guerra (War Museum)], Rovereto ([[Italy]])
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080925234731/http://www.museodellaguerra.it/eng/index_eng.html Museo della guerra (War Museum)], Rovereto (Italy)
*South Africa : The Imperial Government presented 6 howitzers to the Union of South Africa after World War I and the six South African Heavy Artillery Memorials were designed, commissioned and paid for by the South African Heavy Artillery Association to honour their fallen Comrades-in-Arms : [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer71SiegeBatteryMemorialJburgZooRear.jpg|Memorial to 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery]] at Johannesburg Zoo (restored); [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer72BatteryMemorialKimberley.JPG|72nd (Griqualand West) Siege Battery]] at Clyde N Terry Museum, Kimberley; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer73BatteryMemorialCapeTown.JPG|73rd (Cape) Siege Battery]] at Company Gardens, Cape Town; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer74SiegeBatteryMemorialBloemfontein.jpg|74th (Eastern Province) Siege Battery]] at National Museum, Bloemfontein (Restoration is about to begin, May 2009); [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer75BatteryMemorialDurban.jpg|75th (Natal) Siege Battery]], Warriors' Gate MOTH Shellhole, Old Fort Road, Durban; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer125SiegeBatteryMemorialPretoria.JPG|125th (Transvaal) Siege Battery]] near the Union Buildings, Pretoria.
*South Africa : The Imperial Government presented 6 howitzers to the Union of South Africa after World War I and the six South African Heavy Artillery Memorials were designed, commissioned and paid for by the South African Heavy Artillery Association to honour their fallen Comrades-in-Arms : [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer71SiegeBatteryMemorialJburgZooRear.jpg|Memorial to 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery]] at Johannesburg Zoo (restored); [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer72BatteryMemorialKimberley.JPG|72nd (Griqualand West) Siege Battery]] at Clyde N Terry Museum, Kimberley; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer73BatteryMemorialCapeTown.JPG|73rd (Cape) Siege Battery]] at Company Gardens, Cape Town; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer74SiegeBatteryMemorialBloemfontein.jpg|74th (Eastern Province) Siege Battery]] at National Museum, Bloemfontein (Restoration is about to begin, May 2009); [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer75BatteryMemorialDurban.jpg|75th (Natal) Siege Battery]], Warriors' Gate MOTH Shellhole, Old Fort Road, Durban; [[:Image:BL6inch26cwtHowitzer125SiegeBatteryMemorialPretoria.JPG|125th (Transvaal) Siege Battery]] near the Union Buildings, Pretoria.
These guns are being restored by the Gunner's Association of South Africa
These guns are being restored by the Gunner's Association of South Africa
* National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa
* National Museum of Military History, Saxonwold, Johannesburg, South Africa
*[http://rcamuseum.com The Central Museum of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Shilo Manitoba]
*[http://rcamuseum.com The Central Museum of The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery, Shilo Manitoba]
*Barracks Green Armouries, Belonging to and restored by 3rd Field Regt.(The Loyal Company), Saint John, New Brunswick


==World War I ammunition==
==World War I ammunition==
Projectiles used in World War I weighed {{convert|100|lb|kg|sigfig=3}}. A lighter {{convert|86|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} long-range projectile was introduced in November 1918, too late to see service in the war <ref>Clarke 2005, page 37</ref>
Projectiles used in World War I weighed {{convert|100|lb|kg|sigfig=3}}. A lighter {{convert|86|lb|kg|sigfig=3}} long-range projectile was introduced in November 1918, too late to see service in the war <ref name="Clarke 2005, page 37"/>
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:BL 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer 4 lb 11.5 oz cordite MD or RDB cartridge Mark II diagrams.jpg|4lb 11½oz [[cordite]] [[British ordnance terms#Cartridge|cartridge]]
File:BL 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer 4 lb 11.5 oz cordite MD or RDB cartridge Mark II diagrams.jpg|4lb 11½oz [[cordite]] [[British ordnance terms#Cartridge|cartridge]]
Line 85: Line 85:


==See also==
==See also==
* [[BL 6 inch 30 cwt howitzer]] : British predecessor
*[[List of howitzers]]
*[[List of howitzers]]


Line 96: Line 97:


==Bibliography==
==Bibliography==
* Dale Clarke, [http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=S7883 British Artillery 1914-1919. Heavy Artillery. Osprey Publishing, Oxford UK, 2005] ISBN 978-1-84176-788-8
* Dale Clarke, [https://web.archive.org/web/20061021183226/http://www.ospreypublishing.com/title_detail.php/title=S7883 British Artillery 1914-1919. Heavy Artillery. Osprey Publishing, Oxford UK, 2005] {{ISBN|978-1-84176-788-8}}
* General Sir [[Martin Farndale]], History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Western Front 1914-18. London: Royal Artillery Institution, 1986. ISBN 978-1-870114-00-4
* General Sir [[Martin Farndale]], History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Western Front 1914-18. London: Royal Artillery Institution, 1986. {{ISBN|978-1-870114-00-4}}
* [[Ian V. Hogg|I.V. Hogg]] & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914-1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972. ISBN 978-0-7110-0381-1
* [[Ian V. Hogg|I.V. Hogg]] & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914-1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972. {{ISBN|978-0-7110-0381-1}}


==External links==
==External links==
{{Commons category|BL 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer}}
{{Commons category|BL 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer}}
* [http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/107969 Handbook of the B.L. 6-inch 26-cwt. mark I howitzer on mark I travelling carriage, (land service), 1919.] Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
* [http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/107969 Handbook of the B.L. 6-inch 26-cwt. Mark I howitzer on Mark I travelling carriage, (land service), 1919.] Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
* [http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/114049 Gun drill for 6-inch B.L. 26-cwt howitzer Mark I carriage Mark I 1920] Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
* [http://handle.slv.vic.gov.au/10381/114070 Gun drill for B.L. 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer Mark 1 carriage Mark 1 1926] Hosted online by State Library of Victoria, Australia
*{{cite web
*{{cite web
|url=http://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/index/45065
|url=https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/1774
|access-date=11 February 2019
|accessdate=1 November 2013
|date=1916
|date=1916
|title=Chapperton Down Artillery School [film]
|title=Chapperton Down Artillery School [film]
Line 112: Line 115:
|work=IWM Film
|work=IWM Film
|at=10:01:02:00}}
|at=10:01:02:00}}
* [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY5Zx10gunM&feature=related Video clips on YouTube]
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DY5Zx10gunM Video clips on YouTube]
* Nigel F Evans, [http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/6inchsheet.htm British Artillery in World War 2. 6-Inch Howitzer]
* Nigel F Evans, [http://members.tripod.com/~nigelef/6inchsheet.htm British Artillery in World War 2. 6-Inch Howitzer]
* W L Ruffell, [http://riv.co.nz/rnza/hist/local/bl6in.htm BL 6-in 26-cwt howitzer]
* W L Ruffell, [https://web.archive.org/web/20170601075334/http://www.riv.co.nz/rnza/hist/local/bl6in.htm BL 6-in 26-cwt howitzer]
* [http://www.landships.info/landships/artillery_articles.html?load=/landships/artillery_articles/6in_26cwt_howitzer_1.html 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer at Landships]
* [http://www.landships.info/landships/artillery_articles.html?load=/landships/artillery_articles/6in_26cwt_howitzer_1.html 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer at Landships]
* [https://karaya.one/albums/index.php?/category/18 Walk around BL 6-inch 26-cwt howitzer WWI exposed to the Sacrario Militare di Redipuglia / Italy]


{{GreatWarBritishWeapons}}
{{GreatWarBritishWeapons}}
{{WWIIBritishCommGuns}}
{{WWIIBritishCommGuns}}


{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2017}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:BL 06 inch 26 cwt howitzer}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:BL 06 inch 26 cwt howitzer}}
[[Category:World War I artillery of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War I artillery of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II artillery of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II artillery of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War I howitzers]]
[[Category:World War I howitzers]]
[[Category:152 mm artillery]]
[[Category:152 mm artillery]]
[[Category:World War II howitzers]]

Latest revision as of 23:24, 20 September 2023

BL 6 inch 26 cwt Howitzer
A 6 inch 26 cwt on World War II pneumatic tyres at the Royal Artillery Museum.
TypeMedium howitzer
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Service history
In service1916 to 1945
Used byUnited Kingdom
Canada
Union of South Africa
Australia
New Zealand
Italy
Netherlands
Belgium
Greece
Russian Empire
Portugal
Estonian Republic
WarsWorld War I
World War II
Production history
DesignerVickers
Designed1915
ManufacturerVickers, Beardmore, Coventry Ordnance Works, Woolwich Ordnance Factory, Midvale Steel Company
Produced1915 - ?
No. built3,633
Specifications
MassBarrel: 2,856 lb (1,295 kg)
Total: 8,142 lb (3,693 kg)[1]
Length21 ft 7 in (6.58 m)
Barrel lengthBore: 6 ft 8 in (2.03 m)
Total: 7 ft 3 in (2.21 m) L/13.3
Width6 ft 10 in (2.08 m)
Crew10

ShellGas
Incendiary
High explosive
Shell weightWWI: 100 pounds (45.4 kg)
WWII: 86 pounds (39.0 kg)
Calibre6 in (152.4 mm)
BreechWelin screw
RecoilHydro-pneumatic, variable
CarriageBox trail
Elevation0° to +45°
Traverse4° L & R
Rate of fireMax: 2 rpm
Muzzle velocityMax: 1,400 ft/s (430 m/s)
Maximum firing rangeWWI 100 pounds (45.4 kg) shell : 9,500 yards (8,700 m)
WWII 86 pounds (39.0 kg) shell : 11,400 yards (10,400 m)[2]
SightsCalibrating (1930s) & reciprocating

The Ordnance BL 6 inch 26cwt howitzer was a British howitzer used during World War I and World War II. The qualifier "26cwt" refers to the weight of the barrel and breech together which weighed 26 long hundredweight (1.3 t).

History

[edit]

World War I

[edit]
Battery firing, World War I
Use of girdles around wheels, Somme September 1916
Near Boesinghe, Battle of Langemarck, August 1917

It was developed to replace the obsolescent 6 inch 25 cwt and 6 inch 30 cwt howitzers which were outclassed by German artillery such as the 15 cm schwere Feldhaubitze 13. Design began in January 1915, the first proof-firing occurred on 30 July 1915 and it entered service in late 1915.[1] Its combination of firepower, range and mobility (for its day) made it one of the British Empire's most important weapons in World War I.

It was originally towed by horses but from 1916 onwards was commonly towed by the FWD 4 wheel drive 3 ton lorry as heavy field artillery. The wooden spoked wheels could be fitted with "girdles" for work in mud or sand to prevent them sinking. Towards the end of the war solid rubber tyres were fitted over the iron tyres on the wheel rims, giving the rims a heavier appearance. It fired 22.4 million rounds on the Western Front.[3]

World War II

[edit]
British battery in action at Tobruk, 23 January 1941

During the interwar period the carriage had its wooden spoked wheels replaced with modern steel wheels and pneumatic tyres. During World War II, its use was restricted after 1942 when the replacement BL 5.5 inch Medium Gun came into use but it was reintroduced in Burma due to a number of premature detonations in 5.5-inch (140 mm) guns. It was declared obsolete with the end of the war in 1945.

Captured examples received the designation FH-412(e) in German use.

Surviving examples

[edit]
Restored gun, the Memorial to 71st (Transvaal) Siege Battery at Johannesburg Zoo.

These guns are being restored by the Gunner's Association of South Africa

World War I ammunition

[edit]

Projectiles used in World War I weighed 100 pounds (45.4 kg). A lighter 86 pounds (39.0 kg) long-range projectile was introduced in November 1918, too late to see service in the war [3]

See also

[edit]

Weapons of comparable role, performance and era

[edit]

Notes and references

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Hogg & Thurston 1972, Page 126-127
  2. ^ Clarke page 37 quotes 9,500 and 11,400 yd (10,400 m); General Farndale page 129-130 quotes a range of 9,800 yd (9,000 m) for the WWI 2 c.r.h. shell, with a range of 12,500 yd (11,400 m) for the later 5/10 c.r.h. shell. The longer ranges were obtained with the 86 lb (39 kg) Mk 2D 5/10 c.r.h. shell with an augmenting ("Super") charge.
  3. ^ a b Clarke 2005, page 37

Bibliography

[edit]
  • Dale Clarke, British Artillery 1914-1919. Heavy Artillery. Osprey Publishing, Oxford UK, 2005 ISBN 978-1-84176-788-8
  • General Sir Martin Farndale, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery. Western Front 1914-18. London: Royal Artillery Institution, 1986. ISBN 978-1-870114-00-4
  • I.V. Hogg & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914-1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972. ISBN 978-0-7110-0381-1
[edit]