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Ordnance BL 60-Pounder Gun

1905 WORLD WAR 1 WORLD WAR 2

History of the Ordnance BL 60-pounder

During the Second Boer War (1899-1902), the Boers effectively used modern heavy field artillery, which was a revelation for European armies, including the British. They were impressed with their mobility and range. Under temporary arrangements, the British used some heavy artillery in this war.

After the capture of Pretoria in 1900, the South African commander-in-chief (and artillery officer) Lord Roberts clarified the requirements for a heavy field gun: a range of 10,000 yards, a weight trailing over 4 tons, and the largest possible Shell, so the London Ordnance Commission Ordered test guns and tried three.

However, in 1902, the Heavy Battery Commission was formed, composed of officers with experience in heavy artillery and siege guns in South Africa, and chaired by Colonel Perrault, who commanded the siege trains there. In early 1903, their first report refused to further consider 4.7 inches (120 mm, used in South Africa) and 30 lbs (used in India) because of their lack of firepower. Of the three experimental guns, they accepted Armstrong's design but rejected all three frame designs.

Looking for a new design that is easier for departments to use. Experiments with new designs in 1904, including horse and mechanical traction, led to further changes, but in 1905 the design of the BL 60-pounder was accepted, although still half a ton heavier than the target.

Unfortunately, in 1900, the Secretary of State for War announced a plan to give "Volunteer Positions 4.7" guns, he also praised the merits of the 4.7 (which the Army knew was misleading), and in 1902 and Parliament voted in 1903 to hold 60 4.7-inch Volunteer batteries, although 60-pound batteries were in development. The 4.7-inch has a lot of weaknesses as a field device, but it has captured the public's imagination.

However, in 1903, a heavy brigade RGA was formed by converting three siege companies and equipping them with 4.7-inch guns. The following year, the second brigade consisted of three other RGA companies.

These regular brigades are part of the regiment's artillery, although their equipment is auxiliary.

During World War I, the 60-pounder was in service on most fronts, replacing the 4.7-inch gun. When the war broke out, they had 4 guns in each infantry division for the RGA heavy artillery. In 1916, all batteries on the Western Front were increased to 6. By then, the heavy artillery batteries were no longer part of every infantry division, and the artillery batteries became part of what would eventually become known as the Heavy Artillery Group, with several different types of batteries.

After the First World War, they were equipped with medium brigades and later regiments.

By the time the war broke out in 1914, 41 guns had been produced, 13 of them in Canada and India. Armstrong is the main supplier, Vickers and Ordnance Factory Woolwich also manufacture the complete equipment. Numerous other companies also made large components, including barrels.

Total war production was 1,773 guns (i.e. barrels) and 1,397 carriages.