Historic context :

The heavy BL 6-inches 30 cwt Howitzer ('BL' = 'Breech Loading') was the only equipment available in August 1914 for the 'Siege Brigade'. This unit brang 24 such guns in France, and another 90 were sent afterwards.

It was although an obsolete howitzer model, with a purely mechanical recoil system (springs) assisted by an arm linking the carriage to the firing platform. It could fire on wheels, or on a siege carriage that allowed higher elevation angles for a stronger destruction power en entranchments. In 1915, this howitzer was progressively removed from the active units and replaced by its successor, the BL 6 inches 26 cwt howitzer.

Technical data :

• Complete description : Ordnance Breech Loading 6 inches 30cwt siege howitzer Mk I
• Design year : 1915
• Calibre : 152.40 mm (6 in)
• Weight in firing position : 3508 kg
• Weight for transportation :
• Tube length in calibres : 15.60
• Grooves : 0
• Projectile weight : 53.5 kg - 45.3 kg (nouvel obus)
• Initial speed : 237 m/s - 326 m/s (new shell)
• Fire rate :
• Range : 4750 m (on wheels) - 7400 m (on siege carriage)
• Elevation range : -10 / +35 degrees (on wheels), -10 / + 70 degrees (on siege carriage)
• Direction range : 10 degrees total range

• Allied Artillery of World War One           Ian V. Hogg                   Crowood   1998  
• British Artillery 1914-19, Field Army Artillery       Dale Clarke                   Osprey Publishing   2004  
• British Artillery 1914-19, Heavy Artillery       Dale Clarke                   Osprey Publishing   2005