QF 2.95-inch mountain gun explained

QF 2.95-inch mountain gun
Origin:United Kingdom
Type:Mountain gun
Is Ranged:yes
Is Artillery:yes
Is Explosive:yes
Is Uk:yes
Service:1897 – World War II
Used By:British Empire
United States
Philippines
Wars:World War I, World War II
Manufacturer:Vickers
Weight: gun
total
Part Length: bore;
total
Height:, barrel axis
36 inches, wheel
Caliber:75mm
Cartridge:Fixed QF round.
12.5 lb Common shell;
18 lb Double common shell;
12.5 lb Shrapnel
Rate:14 rounds per minute[1]
Velocity:920ft/s
Max Range:4825yd[2]
Recoil:14inches
short recoil hydro-spring
Carriage:Wheeled, box trail, assembly
Elevation:-10° - 27°[3]
Traverse:

The QF 2.95-inch mountain gun was the designation given by the British to a Vickers 75 mm calibre gun. It was originally produced for the Egyptian Army. It was taken into British service in the late 19th century to provide the 'movable armament' at some coaling stations. Also known as "The Millimetre Gun",[4] it was used by the West African Frontier Force in several theatres in Africa during World War I. It was also used by the United States and the Commonwealth of the Philippines.

Service history

The weapon could be broken down and carried by 4 horses or mules, or in British use in Africa by men. According to the, the separable gun-carriage was designed by Trevor Dawson and George Thomas Buckham.

British service

The weapon was not adopted by the British Army or the Indian Army, which used the BL 10 pounder Mountain Gun and later the BL 2.75-inch Mountain Gun, but it was used from 1900 by the defence forces of some British African colonies as part of the Royal 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.

Thirty guns were originally supplied to West Africa (Sierra Leone, Gold Coast and Nigeria).[5] Guns involved in the West Africa campaign were used by the Sierra Leone Company Royal Garrison Artillery (6 guns), Gold Coast Battery WAFF (6 guns), 1st and 2nd Nigerian Battery WAFF (6 guns each).[6]

The guns seem to have been fielded in small numbers as stockade breakers during the War of the Golden Stool, as The Ashanti Campaign of 1900 mentions their presence and details their correct tactical usage as follows: "Vickers, Sons, & Maxim's 75-millimetre mountain gun will breach any stockade in from three to six rounds; it is therefore most essential for this gun to be kept well up in front, and as soon as the scouts have located a frontal stockade, the gun should be mounted, run up to the front, and take up a position where either the top or bottom of the stockade can be seen. While fire is being opened with the gun, a company should be deployed to either flank, to a sufficient depth in the bush to outflank the ends of the stockade."[7]

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.[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]

In one action, Corporal Awudo Kano and five Nigerian gunners stayed by their gun 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.[10]

US service

The US purchased 12 guns in 1899 and used them in the Philippine–American War (otherwise known as the Philippine Insurrection).By 30 June 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. Approximately 50 were issued to the Filipino Army artillery regiments. The US Army Philippine Division had one battalion of the 23rd Artillery (Philippine Scouts) equipped with the 2.95 in mountain gun.[11] [12]

Ammunition

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).[13]

US ammunition

According to the US manual of 1916 the 18lb "Double explosive" shell was no longer in US use.

See also

Surviving examples

Bibliography

Further reading

External links

Notes and References

  1. 14 rounds per minute is the figure given by Vickers. Quoted in Brassey's Naval Annual 1901
  2. Clarke 2004
  3. Hogg & Thurston 1972, page 46
  4. Headlam 1934, page 104
  5. Farndale 1988, page 293
  6. Farndale 1988, page 291
  7. Book: Sir Cecil Hamilton Armitage, Arthur Forbes Montanaro. The Ashanti Campaign of 1900. 1901. Sands & Co.. unknown library. English.
  8. Farndale 1988, page 290
  9. Farndale 1988, page 338-339
  10. Farndale 1988, page 299
  11. http://www.history.army.mil/books/wwii/5-2/5-2_2.htm#p21 The Fall of the Philippines – U. S. Army in World War II
  12. Book: Stanton . Shelby L. . World War II Order of Battle . 186–187, 371 . Galahad Books . New York . 1991 . 978-0-88365-775-1.
  13. Treatise on Ammunition. 10th Edition, 1915. War Office, UK. Page 415-419
  14. Web site: Army Ordnance Museum . Ordmusfound.org . 3 June 2014.
  15. Web site: Palmerston Forts Society the 2.95QF Mountain Gun . 12 July 2008 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090106054152/http://www.palmerstonforts.org.uk/pav1/mountaingun.htm . 6 January 2009.