STORY OF ARTILLERY

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 92, 10 February 1947, Page 4

STORY OF ARTILLERY

AN OLD RECORD PREDATES CHRISTIAN ERA Next time you artillerymen regard your 25-pounders consider for a moment the long history of their development. The story of artillery is an old one and its history may be said to date from the discovery of gun-powder. But even before gunpowder, there were catapaults and battering rams. The word itself is derived from “ars telaria” signifying bows, arrows, and all implements of projectile warfare. The earliest forms of artillery were “the engines invented by cunning men to shoot arrows and great stones,” of which we read in the Old Testament.

The Chinese appear to be the first discoverers of explosive compounds as engines of war and to have used them for several centuries before the Christian era. The inhabitants of India seem to have possessed firearms of a sort as early as the time of Alexander. The celebrated Greek fire, was usually of liquid form and was forced through long copper tubes. The Moors used artillery against Saragossa in 1118 A.D., and a little later they defended Niebla by means of stones, using gunpowder as the propelling medium.

The Use of Cannon

Gunpowder used in projective warfare, and with cannon, became general in Europe during the 14th Century. Artillery is said to have been used by Henry 111 of England and by the Spaniards in 1280, but the first verified use of cannon was in 1338 by Edw r ard 111 of England. The guns of those days were cumbrous, inefficient and crudely made. When Edward 111 used them at Cressy, it may safely be said that they had little to do with- the result of that day. By the 15th Century cannons were being mounted on wheels, instead of the earlier cumbrous beds. Brass began to be used for the barrels. Heavy guns, drawn by men, were known as culverins; lighter guns up to 18-pounders were known as falcons, falconets and sakers. Gun Drill—l7th Century

From a book entitled “Field Artillery of the Great Rebillion/’ by Captain Hime, R.A., we find heavier pieces were being used for siege purposes. Biggest gun went up to a 63-pounder and was known as ‘Canon Royall.” Cartridges, when used, were made of paper or canvas, but an iron ladle was preferred. These were the words of command used in gun drill in those days. 1. Put back your piece.

2. Order your piece to load. 3. Search your piece. 4. Sponge your piece. 5. Fill your ladle. 6. Put in your powder. 7. Empty your ladle. 8. Put up your powder. 9. Thrust home your wad. 10. Regard your shot. 11. Put home your shot gently. 12. Thrust home your last wad with three strokes. 13. Gauge your piece. That was all there was to it. “Halter” Guns

Gustavus Adolphus, the great Swedish soldier, recognising the necessity for mobility introduced Kalter guns. This primitive artillery was drawn and served by two men, and the guns naturally could bear but a small charge; the great point gained was mobility. Rapidity of fire was obtained by the use of cartridges instead of ladling the powder. Gustavus Adolphus also appieciated the value of concentration of fire and frequently massed his guns. During his life he did much to forward the science of artillery. Woolwich

In England the laboratory at Woolwich was established in 1672, and in 1741 the Royal Military Academy was instituted at the same place for the instruction of cadets, and of officers ad men of the artillery. About this time the guns in use consisted of 24-pounders, 12pounders and 3-pounders. The guns were divided into brigades of four, five and six guns respectively, and began to be separated into heavy and light brigades. Each field gun was drawn by four horses, the two leaders being ridden by artillerymen. Decker, in his “Battles and Principle Combats of the Seven Years’ War,” says: “The' English artillery was distinguished by its lightness, the elegance and the good quality of its materials. In the Battle of Marburg (1760), although the English artillery was not horsed, it followed Lord Granby’s cavalry at a trot and was always ready to engage.” It would seem that the modern artilleryman with his quad, portee or half-track is a much more I fortunate fellow.

Rockets It is, perhaps, a litle known fact that rockets were transformed from a mere signal to a “destructive engine by Sir William Congreive about 1804. Thel were used in 1809

in the Walcheren expedition and with great success at Leipsic in 1 1813, but later fell into discredit on account of the danger to their firers and their inaccuracy of flight. They were, however, still used for Abyssinia in 1868, and in Ashantee in 1874; they were found valuable for their mobility and moral effect.

Rifling The advantages 'of rifling had long been known, but it was not practically applied to ordnance until 1846. A few years later the introduction of the Armstrong breachloading rifled gun caused a great alteration in the equipment of the British artillery. The year 1875 saw the construction of an 81-ton gun which could throw a shell of 16001bs. This still compares favourably in size with guns in use today, but a comparison can go no further than that; Science has given us new metals, new explosives and new techniques. We wonder, will it b£ possible to compare today’s artillery with the artillery of tomorrow ?