CHAPTER I_Field artillery materiel

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FIELD ARTILLERY

MATERIEL

NOTES ON THE DEVELOPMENT,

USE AND CARE OF MODERN FIELD ARTILLERY

EQUIPMENT, INCLUDING THE

3” Field Gun, American, French and

British 75s, the 4.7” Gun, 155-mm

Howitzer, GPF, Fire Control Instruments,

Signal Equipment and small

arms used by the Field Artillery—automatic

pistol, automatic rifle and

the Browning machine gun.

_Compiled by_

JAMES P. KELLY

1ST LIEUT. FIELD ARTILLERY

U. S. ARMY

THE UNIVERSITY CO-OPERATIVE STORE

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI

COLUMBIA, MO.

1920

DEDICATION

To those efficient officers and inspiring gentlemen who interested the

“youngsters” of the Yale batteries in the service of their country,

and, in a time of peace, prepared them for the duties which they later

performed in a time of war, this book is gratefully and respectfully

dedicated.

ARTILLERY OF THE FUTURE.

[Illustration: SELF-PROPELLING CATERPILLAR MARK VII 75-MM. GUN. MODEL

1916.]

[Illustration: SELF-PROPELLING CATERPILLAR MARK II 155-MM. FILLOUX

GUN.]

INTRODUCTION.

The compiler of this volume believes that the Field Artillery

student should possess a broad, general knowledge of the history

and development of ordnance, with some idea of the elements of gun

construction; that he should be acquainted with the organization,

ideals and practicalities of modern field artillery armament; that he

should know the ammunition and the guns in our Field Artillery service

with their care and maintenance.

It is also believed that in the R. O. T. C. units of Field Artillery

the student should make the complete 3” equipment the basis of his

knowledge of materiel. He should become thoroughly and familiarly

acquainted with this weapon, and, to a lesser extent, with the other

light pieces which are in present use. The reason for this being that

our experience in the World War has shown that a thorough knowledge

of one class of materiel permits a ready adaptation to any other

type. He should also know the manner of functioning of the 4.7” and

155-mm rifles, with a somewhat more intensive knowledge of the 155-mm

howitzer—and with a sound knowledge of the capabilities and limitations

of all.

To complete his instruction in materiel he should know the use and care

of Fire Control equipment, Signal equipment, and the small arms used in

the field artillery, pistol, automatic rifle and machine gun.

The lack of a single volume covering the above has been the cause

of the compilation of this book. The compiler hopes the R. O. T. C.

student will find in it a text which will be interesting, instructive

and comprehensive. To the lieutenants in charge of Department “A” and

to those who aspire to that responsibility it is hoped that this work

will prove a valued addition to their professional libraries.

The subjects covered herein have been taken wholly or in part from the

various official handbooks, from “Ordnance and Gunnery, U. S. M. A.,”

“Naval Gunnery, U. S. N. A.,” “America’s Munitions,” “Gun Making in

the U. S. A.,” “Ordnance and Gunnery for Field Artillery Officers,”

“Artillery Firing,” “The Field Artillery Journal,” Ordnance Doc. 2033,

from lecture notes taken at the School of Fire, Brigade Training

Pamphlets, and various other sources.

The compiler is indebted to Lt. Col. Lloyd E. Jones, F. A. and Major H.

C. Jackson, F. A. for the valuable advice and the helpful assistance

they rendered in this compilation.

CONTENTS.

Page

Chapters I. Definitions. 11

II. History and Development of Materiel. 16

Biblical references—Use by Romans in Punic

wars—Greeks; Chinese use of pyrotechmy;

French field artillery in the time of Charles

VIII; Gustavus Adolphus and artillery in

the 17th century; Louis XIV; Gribeauval’s

work in 1765; Shrapnel, 1808; Smooth

bores to rifles, middle of 19th century;

French “75;” Period 1897 to date.

III. Elements of Gun Design and Construction. 27

Guns—wire wrapped and built-up; twist;

breechblocks; carriages; traversing

mechanisms; elevating mechanisms;

recoil systems. Air and spring recuperators;

shields; sights; wheels; trails.

IV. Modern Armament. 46

Discussions of types of artillery and their

organization; missions and guns suitable

to accomplish different missions;

ideal and practical types for divisional

corps and army artillery.

V. Three-inch Field Gun.

Weights and dimensions. 62

Description of gun, carriage, caisson and

limbers; functioning of principal parts.

Mounting and dismounting.

VI. 75-mm Model 1897 (“French 75”). 84

Weights and dimensions.