BL 12-inch railway howitzer
| Industry | Arms industry |
|---|---|
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
The British Ordnance BL 12-inch howitzer mounted on truck and railway platforms represents a class of railway gun developed after the effective deployment of the 9.2-inch siege howitzer. Although it shared similarities with the BL 12-inch howitzer#Mk II and IV siege howitzers, these models were distinct and unrelated.
Mark I
The Mk I variant was introduced starting in March 1916 and is distinguished by its relatively short barrel and a recuperator positioned above it.
Mark III
Following the Mk I, the Mk III featured an extended barrel length coupled with a heavier breech to maintain balance. This version continued to utilize a recuperator mounted above the barrel. Template:Clearleft
Mark V
Introduced in July 1917, the Mk V redesigned the recoil system by integrating both the recoil buffer and recuperator into a single unit beneath the barrel—a design approach consistent with British artillery innovations during World War I. It incorporated a lighter breech assembly balanced by this new recoil mechanism and altered gun cradle positioning.[1] Additionally, the loading platform was relocated from the railway carriage directly onto the rotating gun mount. This modification enabled a traverse capability of up to 120°, while an overhanging counterbalance on the opposite side facilitated crew access when firing perpendicular to the tracks (90° traverse), also contributing to improved balance.[1] Template:Clearleft
Combat service
Throughout World War I, all three variants were deployed on the Western Front, typically organized into two-gun batteries and managed by the Royal Garrison Artillery.
During World War II, both the Mk III and Mk V models were assigned to the defence of Great Britain’s home territory. Template:Clearleft
Ammunition
See also
Notes
References
Bibliography
- Dale Clarke, British Artillery 1914-1919. Heavy Artillery. Osprey Publishing, Oxford UK, 2005 ISBN 1-84176-788-3
- I.V. Hogg & L.F. Thurston, British Artillery Weapons & Ammunition 1914–1918. London: Ian Allan, 1972.
Further reading
- Harry W Miller, United States Army Ordnance Department, Railway Artillery: A Report on the Characteristics, Scope of Utility, Etc., of Railway Artillery, Volume II, Pages 136-145. Washington : Government Print Office, 1921
External links
Template:GreatWarBritishWeapons Template:WWIIBritishCommGuns