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The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

Railway Artillery


ianjonesncl

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Having spent that latter part of my service involved with depth fire, and having an interest in railways, railway artillery has always held a fascination

A two volume book Railway Artillery: A Report on the Characteristics, Scope of Utility, Etc., of Railway Artillery was published by the United States Ordnance Department in 1921. This outlines the principles of railway artillery, as well as detailing the guns, British are in volume2.

Railway Artillery: A Report on the Characteristics, Scope of Utility, Etc., of Railway Artillery Vol 1

Railway Artillery: A Report on the Characteristics, Scope of Utility, Etc., of Railway Artillery Vol 2

 

As well as the destructive capacity of depth fire, the shock factor of a 386kg or 719kg shell suddenly exploding in the German’s rear locations would have had a marked effect on the enemy morale.

It is interesting that the Elswick Ordnance Company, Newcastle upon Tyne, were involved with production of all the guns. The 9.2inch gun, 12 inch howitzer and 14 inch gun were all produced on Tyneside.

 

British Railway Artillery

BL 9.2 inch Railway Gun

BL 12 inch Railway Gun

BL 12 inch Railway Howitzer

BL 14 inch Railway Gun

 

Railway Artillery Siege Batteries

A review if the Index to Units of the Royal Artillery in the Order of Battle of British Armies in France for December 1917 the following Siege Batteries are listed as being railway mounted

18th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzer rail mounted

4th Army

22nd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

44th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

52nd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

1st Army

53rd Siege Battery

1x 12in Gun rail mounted

1 x 9.2in Gun rail mounted

4th Army

63rd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

64th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

80th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

82nd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

2nd Army

83rd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

86th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

89th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

92nd Siege Battery

1x 12in Gun rail mounted

1 x 9.2in Gun rail mounted

4th Army

103rd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

104th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

128th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

2nd Army

104th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

128th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

2nd Army

333rd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

3rd Army

343rd Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

359th Siege Battery

1 x12in Howitzer rail mounted

4th Army

363rd Siege Battery

2 x 9.2in Guns rail mounted

4th Army

366th Siege Battery

1 x 9.2in Gun rail mounted

1 x 9.2in gun rail mounted

3rd Army

374th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

5th Army

381st Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

4th Army

442nd Siege Battery

2 x 9.2in Guns rail mounted

3rd Army

444th Siege Battery

2 x 12in Howitzers rail mounted

1st Army

456th Siege Battery

2 x 9.2in Guns rail mounted

L of C

461st Siege Battery

2 x 9.2in Guns rail mounted

1st Army

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