Page 290 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

288 FIELD GUNS, SIEGE GUNS,

1914–1945 AND HOWITZERS ▼ 2.75IN MOUNTAIN GUN This was an improved

The artillery pieces in use by 1914 were capable of inflicting
version of the tried-and-
Date 1911
tested 10-pounder mountain
casualties on an industrial scale. They ranged from mountain guns that
Origin UK
the barrel broke down into
ARS could be broken down quickly and carried by mules, and light guns such Weight 1,290lb (585kg) gun. For transportation,
as the 18-pounder quick-firer—which were used on the battlefield rather
two sections and the rest
Length 6ft (1.84m)
of the gun into a further
than fired from a dug-in position—to howitzers such as the British
Caliber 2.75in
three. It could be carried
Army’s 9.2in Mark I. The latter arrived in France early in 1915 and
Range 3.41 miles (5.5km)
by six mules, or towed.
ORLD W became the most effective counter-battery weapon of the war, capable
of hurling a 290lb (130kg) high-explosive shell to a distance of more
1
than 5 ⁄2 miles (9km). Guns mounted on railway tracks that
could reach a target more than 25 miles (40km) away
THE W were used for long-range bombardment.
Barrel elevated to 35°
on wheeled carriage,
70° on siege platform Barrel could be
depressed to -15° and
elevated to +22°
Elevation
handwheel
Recoil recuperator
had twin springs
Recoil
◀ 6IN (30CWT) HOWITZER
recuperator
Date 1896
Origin UK
Weight 3.86 tons (3.5 tonnes)
Length 7ft (2.13m)
Caliber 6in
Range 4.28 miles (6.9km)
The 6in howitzer could be fired
as a siege gun on a static siege
platform or on a field carriage. It
was employed by the British Army
during the Second Boer War and in
the early months of World War I.
Wheels could be detached,
and the gun fired from a
built-in “siege platform”
Recuperator wrapped
with rope Goniometric sight
for indirect fire

Gun captain to
traverse the weapon
Recoil
recuperator

Single-pole trail

▶ 9.2IN SIEGE This was the Allies’ most
▲ 18-POUNDER QF MARK II The standard British field gun HOWITZER MK I effective counter-battery
Date 1904 for almost four decades, the Date 1914 weapon, destroying enemy
18-pounder was first introduced artillery from concealed
Origin UK Origin UK
in 1904. It fired a wide variety positions well behind the
Weight 1.41 tons (1.28 tonnes) of projectiles, including high Weight 13.2 tons (12 tonnes) fighting front. More than
Length 7 ⁄4ft (2.34m) explosive, shrapnel, gas, and Length 11ft (3.4m) 650 were employed on
3
armor-piercing rounds. Its the Western Front by the
Caliber 3.3in Caliber 9.2in
six-man crew could fire 20 rounds British and US armies.
Range 3.72 miles (6km) per minute for short periods. Range 5.71 miles (9.2km)