brindlerp Posted 1 January , 2004 Share Posted 1 January , 2004 The answer is in this link > http://www.westernfrontassociation.com/the...s/artillery.htm Does anyone have any pictures of the contenders? Regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Reed Posted 1 January , 2004 Share Posted 1 January , 2004 I must say I found some of the comments in this article inaccurate, eg: The biggest guns used on the Western Front were the French 274mm, and the German 38cm. Great Britain's largest were the re-deployed naval 14-inchers. Howitzers employed by France and Great Britain, respectively, were the 520mm Schneider and the previously mentioned British 12in. The USA used a 14-incher. The French 520mm Schneider howitzer shell, at 3,130 lbs. was the heaviest used in the war. 14 inch? Eh?! What about the British 15-inch? See Chris' own description at: http://www.1914-1918.net/arms_tactics/art_weapons.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Geoff Parker Posted 2 January , 2004 Share Posted 2 January , 2004 I don't believe you can define which artillery piece was the "top gun". Channel Five did the a documentary on the 18pdr field gun verus the German howitzer. Each artillery piece had its own role on the battlefield, and you can't compare a howitzer with a gun as each served a different purpose. Some guns may outrange others of similar calibre but fire a lighter ordnance. Then you have to take into account the type of shell being fired, these varied in their contents, sharpnel, H.E., gas. I think you can only say that if you were on the receiving end, they were all pretty lethal Geoff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
guy taylor Posted 13 January , 2004 Share Posted 13 January , 2004 You could argue that the ultimate gun was the "Paris Gun" - and as far as range is concerned it would be true. But the number of casualties actually caused by the shell bursts was very slight; more deaths and injuries were inflicted by collapsing structures. Even the psychological effect became greatly diminished after a while. Against this must be balanced the cost to the German military economy which could have been more profitably expended elsewhere. It was - fortunately for us - a victory of German ingenuity over common sense! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul guthrie Posted 14 January , 2004 Share Posted 14 January , 2004 There is a reprint of a 1930 or so book on the Paris gun, have ordered but not received it, can't remember from whom I ordered , must be in UK, may be N&M Press but not sure. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brindlerp Posted 18 January , 2004 Author Share Posted 18 January , 2004 For those interested, there is an interesting article regarding Field Artillery and Firepower in WW1. Check out > http://www.imperialservices.org.uk/debates_and_models.htm regards Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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