QF 2.95 inch Mountain Gun
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| QF 2.95 inch Mountain Gun | |
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 British QF 2.95 inch mountain gun, Cameroons and Togoland campaign, WWI |
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| Type | Mountain gun |
| Place of origin |  United Kingdom |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1897 - WWII |
| Used by | British Empire United States Philippines |
| Wars | World War I World War II |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Vickers |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 236 lbs (gun) 830 lbs (total) |
| Barrel length | 31.6 inch (bore); 35.85 inch (total)[1] |
| Width | 32 inches |
| Height | 26 inches (barrel axis) 36 inches (wheel) |
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| Shell | QF fixed round. 12.5 lb Common shell; 18 lb Double common shell; 12.5 lb Shrapnel |
| Calibre | 2.953 inch (75 mm) |
| Recoil | 14 inches; short recoil hydro-spring |
| Carriage | wheeled, box trail, assembly |
| Elevation | -10° - 27°[1] |
| Traverse | 0° |
| Muzzle velocity | 920 ft/s[1] |
| Maximum range | 4,825 yds[2] |
| Filling weight | Shrapnel : 212 167 grain (10.8214 gram) balls (US)[3] 203 x 11.088 gram balls (British)[4] HE : TNT 0.756 lb (US)[3] |
The Vickers-Maxim QF 2.95 inch mountain gun, also known as a Pack Howitzer, was used by Britain's African colony forces in colonial wars and against Germany in Africa in World War I. It was also used by USA and Philippines.
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[edit] History
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[edit] Combat use
The weapon could be broken down and carried by 4 horses or mules, or in British use in Africa by men.
[edit] British service
The weapon was not adopted by the British or Indian army, which used the BL 10 pounder Mountain Gun and later the 2.75 inch Mountain Gun, but it was used from 1901 by the defence forces of some British African colonies as part of the West African Frontier Force (WAFF). The officers and most NCOs were British, and the gunners, gun carriers and some NCOs were African. As part of the British Empire these units became part of the British war effort in World War I.
30 guns were originally supplied to West Africa (Sierra Leone, Gold Coast & Nigeria)[5]. Guns involved in the West Africa campaign of World War I were Sierra Leone Company RGA (6 guns), Gold Coast Battery WAFF (6 guns), 1st and 2nd Nigerian Battery WAFF (6 guns each).[6]
Guns of the Gold Coast Battery fired the first British Empire artillery rounds of World War I, in the attack on Khra in Togoland on 22 August 1914.[7]
Corporal Awudo Kano and 5 Nigerian gunners fought a notable action during the British attack near Melong in Kamerun, 4 March 1915. Their officer was wounded and the infantry forced to retire, but though isolated they refused to abandon the officer or their guns, and continued firing until relieved.[8]
The gun was also used in the East Africa campaign, originally a section of the Gold Coast Battery, and from December 1916 the 1st Nigerian Battery.[9]
[edit] British Ammunition
The British "Treatise on Ammunition" of 1915 stated that available rounds were Shrapnel (203 bullets), Case shot (330 bullets), Star shell and the Double common shell of 18 lb (exploding charge of 14 oz "P" mixture - gunpowder).[10]
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[edit] US service
The US purchased 12 guns in 1899 and used them in the Philippine-American War (otherwise known as the Philippine Insurrection). By June 30 1904 another 120 guns were purchased. Carriages and pack saddles were manufactured at Watertown and Rock Island.
It was also used in World War II by US and Philippine forces defending against the Japanese invasion.[1]
[edit] US Ammunition
The US manual of 1916 stated that the 18 lb (8.2 kg) Double explosive shell was no longer in US use.
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[edit] Image Gallery
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[edit] Photographs
- Photo of 2.95 firing in African bush, illustrating recoil and jump : Martin Farndale, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery : Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base 1914-18
[edit] See also
[edit] Surviving examples
- A British example is on display at US Army Ordnance Museum, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, USA
- HM Royal Armouries Fort Nelson, Fareham, Hampshire, England
[edit] Notes
- ^ a b c d Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 46
- ^ Clarke 2004
- ^ a b US Army Handbook, 1916
- ^ Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 239. They quote 16 lb weight for the shrapnel shell on page 239, this is assumed to be a misprint as they correctly quote 12.5 lb on page 46
- ^ Farndale 1988, page 293
- ^ Farndale 1988, page 291
- ^ Farndale 1988, page 290
- ^ Farndale 1988, page 299
- ^ Farndale 1988, page 338-339
- ^ Treatise on Ammunition. 10th Edition, 1915. War Office, UK. Page 415-419
[edit] References
- Dale Clarke, British Artillery 1914-1919. Field Army Artillery. Osprey Publishing, Oxford UK, 2004
- General Sir Martin Farndale, History of the Royal Regiment of Artillery : Forgotten Fronts and the Home Base 1914-18
- I.V. Hogg & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914-1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972.
- US Army Ordnance Dept, Handbook of the 2.95-inch mountain gun matériel and pack outfit. 1912, updated 1916
[edit] External links
- Handbook of the 2.95-inch Mountain Gun Matériel and Pack Outfit. 1912, updated 1916 US Army manual, provided online by University of California and www.archive.org
- 2.95-Inch Vickers-Maxim Mountain Gun Matériel. in "Handbook of artillery : including mobile, anti-aircraft and trench matériel (1920)" United States. Army. Ordnance Dept May 1920. provided online by University of California and www.archive.org
- side elevation diagram at Palmerston Forts Society
- photo of a 2.95 inch shell casing at big-ordnance.com
- US Army in World War II. Chapter XXVIII: The Southern Islands
- The US Army campaigns World War II. Philippine Islands
