Jump to content
Free downloads from TNA ×
The Great War (1914-1918) Forum

Remembered Today:

'Black Marias' & 'Woolly Bears' ?


MickLeeds

Recommended Posts

I'm reading 'The Green Howards in the Great War' and the author states that,

"the Germans opened the day with heavy artillery fire, mainly Black Marias and Woolly Bears."

Can anyone tell me which type or size of artillery he is referring to ? ( I know a Black Maria is the old name for a police van)

Thanks,

Mick.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm reading 'The Green Howards in the Great War' and the author states that,

"the Germans opened the day with heavy artillery fire, mainly Black Marias and Woolly Bears."

Can anyone tell me which type or size of artillery he is referring to ? ( I know a Black Maria is the old name for a police van)

Thanks,

Mick.

Heavy, often howitzers. It refers to the black smoke resulting from the explosion of the round - not specific to a particular gun and also used of British shells (and KuK and Bulgarian etc etc) The term Jack Johnson and Coal Scuttle was also used. Confusingly Wooly Bears was some times also used to describe air bursts from AA shells which resembled a black hairy caterpillar of the same name.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
×
×
  • Create New...