BL 6 Inch Mk VII Naval Gun - World War I Field Gun

World War I Field Gun

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They were first sent to France in 1915 mounted on improvised rectangular-frame field carriages designed by Admiral Percy Scott, based on the design he had improvised for 4.7 inch guns in the Second Boer War, and were successful.

However, elevation and hence range was limited with the Scott carriages so a proper carriage, MK II, was introduced early in 1916, allowing elevation to 22°. Carriages Mks III, V and VI also appeared.

It was operated by the Royal Garrison Artillery, as were all the larger guns, in World War I, in batteries of 4 guns.

Following its successful employment in the Battle of the Somme its role was defined as counter-battery fire and also they "were most effective for neutralising defences and for wire cutting with fuze 106 ", also for long-range fire against "targets in depth".

It was superseded by the lighter and longer-range BL 6 inch Gun Mk XIX which was introduced from October 1916 but the Mk VII remained in service to the end of World War I.


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