WW1 Military Motors - 1916 set x 50 cards

[Wigwhammer]

Colin,

The 12 inch Railway Howitzers had a potential rate of fire of one round per minute.

81 12 inch Howitzers Mk I - V were manufactured, as yet, I have not seen any references to how many were lost due to enemy action or accidental causes during WW1, hopefully, those figures are recorded somewhere ?

Regards,

LF

Thanks for the info. 1 round per minute must have taken some doing and a well-trained and highly experienced team.

Keep 'em coming! They're highly appreciated!

Cheers

Colin

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Thanks for the info. 1 round per minute must have taken some doing and a well-trained and highly experienced team.

Colin,

If you look at the film, the link is in post # 2798, of the 12 inch Railway Howitzer Mk I in action, you will see that the complete firing process from aligning the Howitzer, lifting the shell up onto the Loading Tray, positioning the shell into the breech, loading the charge, ramming everything home, and firing, is all easily completed within one minute.

These RGA Howitzer teams, were well-trained, with each member of the team having a specific task during the loading and firing process, with everything being overseen by the Officer in charge.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

With the barrel of the Mk V 12 inch Railway Howitzer ' Bunty ' still smoking from having just been fired, the Howitzer's barrel is quickly lowered with the Gunners ready to reload with another 750 lb shell.

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

During a lull in the fighting near the village of Louez on 19th May, 1918, the 19 Gunners of the 12 inch Railway Howitzer Mk V named " Bunty " pose for a group photograph, this particular Howitzer belonged to the 444th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery.

This photo also provides details of the deployed jacks, and the steel ' Holdfast ' cables securing the Howitzer's railway mount.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[johnboy]

Railway Howitzer

Features:

• Length (ft/in) 41ft 2in
• Weight (pounds) 76 tons
• Range (yards) 14300 yards
• Rate of Fire (RPM) 1 rpm

This gun,together with its Mark I and Mark V versions, was widely deployed on the Western Front.

[Scalyback]

So how many men in total to fire these beasts!

You will have the RA to fire it, the RE to move it(I guess the railways units moved them), the AOC to supply it with ordnance and the ASC to maintain it. That is a lot of manpower.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

So how many men in total to fire these beasts!

You will have the RA to fire it, the RE to move it(I guess the railways units moved them), the AOC to supply it with ordnance and the ASC to maintain it. That is a lot of manpower.

Scalyback,

As yet, I have not seen any reference to the exact number of men in a 12 inch Railway Howitzer's crew. If you look at the photographs posted, you will see that the minimum number shown is 10 men plus an officer. Other photographs, show anywhere from 15 to 19 men plus an officer.

Attached is an interesting group photograph of the officers and men serving with the 444th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, with their 12 inch Railway Howitzer ' Bunty '. This photograph shows 37 men and 3 officers ( a Major and 2 Captains ), so this may be a ' Battery ' photograph. The Major, is holding the Battery's mascot, a small kitten. This group photograph was taken on 19th July, 1918 outside of Arras, showing that the 12 inch Railway Howitzer ' Bunty ' had moved from its former May 1918 emplacement at Louez.

Also attached are two separate photographs of the Major, and the Captain from that group photograph.

Regards,

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The unnamed Major shown in the 444th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, group photograph along with the Battery's kitten mascot sitting on the open breech of a 12 inch Railway Howitzer Mk V ( probably ' Bunty ' ).

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A nice colourised photograph of an officer from the 444th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery's group photograph, along with the Battery's kitten mascot sitting on a 12 inch Railway Howitzer's shell which is in position on the Howitzer's Loading Tray.

It is, also nice to see the probable colour of the 750 lb 12 inch Railway Howitzer's shell.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The type of manufacturer's nameplate, which would have been attached to a 12 inc Railway Howitzer made by Armstrong-Whitworth & Co. Ltd., at their Elswick, Newcastle factory.

LF

IWM This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Railway Howitzer

johnboy,

A nice diagram, showing the different barrel elevations on the 12 inch Railway Howitzer.

Regards,

LF

[patrick Eggs]

Hello LF. Some might'y guns moved by rail,thought you may like to see this modest 5.9 inch German gun captured by the men of 3rd. © battalion Tank corps moving it , with the help of a female Tank flying her Battalion Colours, dragging it into a wood near Ribecourt.

Crimson Rambler.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

Hello LF. Some might'y guns moved by rail,thought you may like to see this modest 5.9 inch German gun captured by the men of 3rd. © battalion Tank corps moving it , with the help of a female Tank flying her Battalion Colours, dragging it into a wood near Ribecourt.5.9 inch german gun.jpg

Crimson Rambler.

A great capture ! and interesting to see the British tank flying Battalion Colours.

Regards,

LF

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The ' Ford ' Tank

Following America's entry into WW1 on April 6, 1917, there was a review of America's armaments and military equipment and although America initially made use of both British and French equipment, particularly British and French Tanks, by mid-1918 the U.S. War Department was anxious to develop its own tank technology, which included supplying the U.S. Infantry on the Western Front with an ultra-light tracked vehicle which could be used both as a Machine Gun Carrier and a Ammunition Carrier.

As the U.S. Ordnance Department projected that several thousands of this new ultra-light tracked vehicle would be required, they looked to the American Motor Industry to find a suitable vehicle manufacturer experienced in the mass production of standardized motor vehicles, who would be capable of producing a minimum of 100 vehicles per day.

In the Summer of 1918, the Ford Motor Company was selected, and by October 1918 a Ford prototype of what was to become known as the ' Ford 3-ton Tank Model 1918 ', was ready to be tested on the Western Front. The field tests proved highly satisfactory, and as a result, the U.S. Ordnance Department placed an order with the Ford Motor Company for 15,000 of the new Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tank.

However, with just 15 Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tanks produced, the signing of the Armistice signalled the end of the contract, and although Ford subsequently produced a larger 3 man version with a turret, it was not adopted by the U.S. Army, and the project was cancelled.

It is reported that some of the 15 Ford Model 1918 Tanks produced were shipped to France for testing in late 1918, however, none saw combat in WW1.

The Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tank, actually weighed just under 3 tons, was 13 feet 8 inches long, 5 foot 6 inches wide, and was 5 foot 3 inches high.

Powered by 2 Ford Model T 45 hp water-cooled engines, with each engine having its own electric starter, the Ford M1918 Tank had a speed of 8 m.p.h.

The Ford transmission provided two forward speeds and one reverse, with a Carden shaft and a worm drive half axle.

The visibly larger 2 front idler wheels coupled with 2 much smaller rear drive wheels working in conjunction with 6 lower and 2 upper track wheels on each side, drove the tanks linked tracked system.

With a 17 gallon fuel tank, the Ford M1918 Tank had a range of 34 miles.

The cramped crew compartment provided for a Driver seated on the front right, with the Tank's Gunner to his left.

The engine compartment was at the rear, with the ammunition magazine and other supplies stowed behind the crew compartment.

Access to the crew compartment was made via a small rectangular hinged hatch door in front of the driver.

The observation cupola located behind the driver gave the driver 360 degree vision through the cupola's viewing slits.

The Ford Model 1918 Tank was initially armed with a 0.30 calibre Browning machine gun, although other armaments of other calibres have been seen fitted to the Ford Model 1918 Tank.

2 of the 15 original Ford Model 1918 Tanks produced, still survive in American museums.

The first photograph taken in France, and possibly the only one of the Ford 3-ton Model 1918 on the Western Front, shows the Ford Tank with American troops. This photograph gives us a very good sense of the overall size of the Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tank when compared to the tank's crew, the Mobile Kitchen it is towing, and the American troops. Note the goggles being worn by the tank's crew.

This photograph, was probably taken during the tank's Western Front field trials in late 1918.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

The Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tank.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A photograph of one of the 2 surviving Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tanks, shows us the size of the crew compartment.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[David Filsell]

Also - available in dark green

[Scalyback]

It's a baby tank! Did they employ bantams in the things

As always top stuff,

[helicon25]

63 Siege Battery - 12 inch Railway Howitzer

[Lancashire Fusilier]

63 Siege Battery - 12 inch Railway Howitzer

What an excellent group photograph of a Mk I 12 inch Railway Howitzer Battery, the Howitzer's camouflage paint scheme is particularly interesting to see.

Many thanks for posting.

Regards,

LF

[johnboy]

It gives an idea of the number of men involved.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

A Ford 3-ton Model 1918 Tank equipped with a Cannon/Howitzer, rather than the 0.30 Browning Machine Gun.

LF

This image is reproduced strictly for non-commercial research and private study purposes as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised.

[Lancashire Fusilier]

It gives an idea of the number of men involved.

johnboy,

Both the 63rd Siege Battery, and the 444th Siege Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery, are listed as having 2 x 12 inch Railway Howitzers each.

From the 2 group photographs posted, we see that the 444th group photo shows some 37 men and 3 officers, whereas the 63rd group photo shows some 77/80 men and 6 officers, which is probably the full Battery strength for both their Howitzers.

The 444th group photo, was probably only showing the men and officers for just one of their 12 inch Railway Howitzers ( Bunty ).

So it would appear that for a RGA Siege Battery equipped with Railway Howitzers, there would typically be 2 Railway Howitzers in each Battery, and each Battery would have a strength of some 77/80 men and 6 officers, with each individual Railway Howitzer having a strength of some 37/40 men and 3 officers.

Regards,

LF

[helicon25]

What an excellent group photograph of a Mk I 12 inch Railway Howitzer Battery, the Howitzer's camouflage paint scheme is particularly interesting to see.

Many thanks for posting.

Regards,

LF

You're welcome ! ,this is a professional reprint of the original which was not in very good condition ,my Great Grandfather is in the photo somewhere !

I have been reading this thread with great interest .

Thank you all

[Lancashire Fusilier]

You're welcome ! ,this is a professional reprint of the original which was not in very good condition ,my Great Grandfather is in the photo somewhere !

I have been reading this thread with great interest .

Thank you all

I am pleased that you are enjoying this Thread, and I also read that your Great Grandfather's Battery ( 63rd Siege Battery, R.G.A. ) deployed to France with 2 x 12 inch Railway Howitzers on 2nd March, 1916.

Regards,

LF