Ordnance BL 12-inch (Towed)

History

The gun was originally adopted by the Royal Field Artillery and Household Cavalry Artillery and entered full service in 1885. This marked the return of the British Army to the breech-loading gun in the late 1860s after the failure of the Armstrong screw-breech gun.

Problems arose when it was used by the cavalry during the Great Indian Cavalry Exercises of 1891. The wagon proved too complicated, and the dust caused the metal surfaces of the transaxle to get stuck.

It also proved too heavy for the cavalry, responsible for supporting the cavalry in battle, to be maneuverable.

Thus, the 12lb 6 CWT gun was developed in 1892, when the new, more powerful cordierite replaced gunpowder as a lighter alternative. Its barrel was 18 inches (460 mm) shorter, the carriage was lighter and simpler, and it entered service with the Royal Mounted Artillery in 1894.

The introduction of the Cordite also led to the decision that the 12-pounder could fire heavier shells up to 15 pounds (6.8 kg). The 14-pounder was introduced, and the gun became the "15-pounder" from 1895. [4] By this time the 12 lb 7 cwt was obsolete.

Ordnance BL 12 Inch (Trailing) Spec

Base

Years of Service

1916

Origins

UK

Crew

6

Production

57

Manufacturer

Vickers - UK

Operators

UK

ROLLING

Fire Support/Attack/Breakthrough

Support allied forces with direct/indirect fire, attacking forward positions and/or breaking through fortified areas of the battlefield.

Dimensions and Weight

Length

17.3 feet

5.28m

Power and Performance

Engine:

No. This is a towed artillery system.

Area

6.4 km

(10.4 km)

Weapons

1 x 12" (305 mm) barrel

AMMOTION

Depends on the ammo carrier.

Variants

Ordnance BL 12" Howitzer - name of the base series Mk II - 14 examples produced Mk IV - 43 examples produced