4thGordons Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 This is from a very small (3x2) print that is quite faded/damaged. Can anyone identify this French Artillery piece? It looks to me like an old fashioned muzzle-loading cannon/mortar but this is really not my area. TIA Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 The apparent lack of a recoil system coupled with breech loading would suggest the 6.1 inch Model 1888 used in the early part of the war. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 16 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Thanks, the photo was taken in 1918. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
centurion Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Can't think of anything that primitive still around in 1918 but who knows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMarsdin Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 It looks like a de Bange type, possibly 220mm mortar. It has to be after 1915 because of the adrienne helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 16 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2013 It was taken during the German advances of 1918, probably in the Marne area based on where the photographer went I think so I suppose anything that was around may have been pressed into service. The period notation on the rear (this is part of quite a large set) appears to say "French 155mm" which would be 6.1" wouldn't it? Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteveMarsdin Posted 16 April , 2013 Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Yes, on reflection de Bange 155mm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 16 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 16 April , 2013 Thanks very much Steve. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 17 April , 2013 Share Posted 17 April , 2013 It is, I believe, a post-1915 modified Canon de 155 C Modele 1881-1912 de Bange-Filloux. The modification is the additional support given to what was previously a 'swan neck' by the use of additional steel support running from the platform base near the breech to just behind the trunnion. There were 108 of these guns available in 1914. There is a photo of an unmodified 155 C here: http://fortification...15c-18-19-3.bmp with a mortier de 270 de Bange in the background). A modified one is here: http://fortification.../155c-18-19.bmp. An even more modified one is here: http://fortificationetmemoire.fr/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/155c-18-19-2.bmp Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 17 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 17 April , 2013 Thanks very much for those references - very useful. Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 18 April , 2013 Share Posted 18 April , 2013 BTW two groups of 155 C 1881-1912 were still in action by the Armistice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4thGordons Posted 18 April , 2013 Author Share Posted 18 April , 2013 Thanks again. Here is another one: I think it is probably a mobile Anti-Aircraft gun. French? The unit markings on the bonnet appear to say ? Section. ? 75 Automoblie. (see detail scan) Chris Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bmac Posted 18 April , 2013 Share Posted 18 April , 2013 From 1915 the French tried to increase the mobility of 75s by transporting them on the back of lorries. They were known Artillerie Portee. This allowed quicker movement and lessened the need for horses. This sytem developed considerably in 1917. Having said that, this lorry looks too small for this to be a full 75. 75s were mounted on the back of lorries for AA purposes by the French and were known as Autocannon de 75. There's a film on Youtube about the them: Looks a bit like the one in the photo. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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