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Post Info TOPIC: U.S. 75mm 18-pdr
James H


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U.S. 75mm 18-pdr
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Technically off-topic, but stumbled across this on Wikipedia:

The US decided early in World War I to switch from 3-inch (76 mm) to 75 mm calibre for its field guns. Its preferred gun for re-equipment was the French 75 mm Model of 1897, but early attempts to produce it in the US using US commercial mass-production techniques failed, partly due to delays in obtaining necessary French plans, and then their being incomplete or inaccurate, and partly because US industry was not equipped to work to Metric measurements.

By 1917 US firms had produced 851 QF 18 pounders for export to Britain. Hence production of a 75 mm version offered a simple interim solution, being basically a copy of the British QF 18 pounder rechambered for French 75 mm ammunition, utilizing existing production capacity. It remains very similar to the 18 pounder, the main visible difference being a shorter barrel with straight muzzle.

The gun was developed too late to see action in World War I.

It was apparently used by GB and USA in WWII, so the pic on the left must be after WWI. The other visible difference is the box thing on the end of the recuperator. What is it?

The second pic is of 18pdr in the IWM.



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Ironsides


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"The other visible difference is the box thing on the end of the recuperator. What is it?"


Hi James, I believe it to be an armoured oil resevoir for the recuperator....it seems to be a fairly common sight in WW1 pics....these may be US produced...

Cheers

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James H


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Sorry, I hadn't read this through properly. Yes, the armoured cover on the recuperator was a WWI modification and quite common:

Battlefield experience in 1914 and 1915 showed up the weakness of the original recuperator springs (which returned the barrel to firing position after recoil) and loss of oil in the recuperator under intense firing. Poor quality of wartime manufacture of the springs was also a factor. Spring shortages due to breakages meant guns remained in the firing line and had to be "run up" - have the barrel moved forward into its firing position - by hand, hence slowing the rate of fire. A temporary preventive measure was the addition of a distinctive armoured box-shaped oil reservoir to the front end of the recuperator to maintain the oil supply and extend spring life. This modification is visible in many photographs of 18 pdrs in action on the Western Front right up to the end of World War I.

The second pic I posted is from the piece in the Royal Artillery Museum, Woolwich, as photographed by Rob, here: http://www.activeboard.com/forum.spark?forumID=63528&p=3&topicID=17752430 Apologies for not remembering.

As I understand it, then, the US produced 851 out of 10,500 18pdrs, but didn't use them themselves. The one preserved in Maryland is described as a British 18pdr produced in the USA for the Canadian Army. It doesn't have the armoured cover.

The US M1917 was a post-war model used by both USA and UK (after the US M1916 proved to be a non-starter).

But the left-hand pic is supposed to be a US crew. The gun has the armoured cover, and yet the US is said not to have used the British 18pdr. Is it a post-war pic of the M1917, or or a British piece and the crew not American at all?

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28juni14


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I suspect the first pic is miscaptioned.   Look closely at the gun crew; note they are all without tunics and their shirts are clearly European in cut.  American army shirts had a small, rounded collar; these are without collars.   Now, look at the trousers; again typical British cut,  and not AEF issue . 

I would think this is a Brit, or Commonwealth field artillery crew going about their duty.   The armoured resevoir  is present on most 18Pdr wartime pics , and the innovation appears to have arrived shortly after the steel helmet.
...again,  just my humble suspicion....

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James H


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Well struck, sir. Schoolboy error on my part, Jack. Must be BEF or Empire crew.

I gather the US shirt was immaculately cut, with breast pockets which even incorporated a separate pencil compartment.

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28juni14


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Actually they were fitted with two breast pockets!  I've attached an old family pic of my great uncle who served in 1918.  Do you see the smart collar !   You will note he's armed with a P17Enfield.  Contrary to popular belief, the 03 Springfield was not in widespread issue during the conflict.

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