Artillery WW1 and 1870

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

what were the respective ranges of German artillery in the two wars?

I have googled, but am more confused than ever :-(

[Paul C]

1870 Artillery Range - Far

WWI Artillery Range - Farther

:whistle:

[Ulsterman]

HA HA!

Depends upon the guns.

The 12 and 24 lbs and the "new" C/61 (80mm Krupp) were what the Prussians used the most in 1870.

They were outgunned by the famous 12lb "Napoleons" (designed by Napoleon IIIrd) widely used in the American Civil War ( and often seen today as memorials in city parks) by -a lot. The French 12lbs and the heavier 24 lbers could fire 5,600 yards. The French used bronze 4lb field guns (pulled by 4 horses) that fired 3,300 yards.

Do you mean field guns? The 7.7 cm FK 96 series? 1914=15,000- 23,400 feet ranges..... varied by length of tube: size matters-as you know. I suspect these numbers are wrong, as the German WW1 artillery book I have was -awkwardly translated.

Tony Sommerfield will know-there's a whole scholarly journal devoted to ordinance these days.

Do you know of the Gesellschaft fuer Artilleriekunde?

[IrishGunner]

Well, based upon the way you asked the question, Paul's answer is a target hit!

Ulster is spot on - it depends upon the gun - howitzer - mortar; what specifically are you trying to get at?

(I guess I should get on with my webpage idea.)

[Chris Boonzaier]

Hi,

what i am wondering is... how much more danger was artillery to soldiers in WW1 as opposed to 1870

1) On the battlefield itself

2) Around the battlefield.

I suppose in WW1 even men resting 10km behind the front could be under constant fire, whereas in 1870, once you had left the immediate battlefield, you were probably not bothered by artillery that much.

Best

Chris

[IrishGunner]

how much more danger was artillery to soldiers in WW1 as opposed to 1870

Well, that question is far more than one of range - the full answer lies in different tactics. I wrote the following to be part of a website on WWI artillery that I have in mind - should I ever make the time:

"Feld-Artillerie tactics prior to the war emphasized following the infantry and then moving the batteries quickly into position to engage the enemy at short ranges, firing over open sights. This tactic frequently was demonstrated with cavalry-like panache during the Kaiser's annual maneuvers. Observed fire was the standard target-attack method, with the battery commander himself usually performing as the observer. The development of indirect fire methods began in the years just before the outbreak of the war and as the war progressed, trench warfare would demand different Artillery tactics, including the utilization of forward observers and a gradual shift to predicted fire or map-based target-attack techniques. During the early days of the war, the Fuss-Artillerie supplanted the Feld-Artillerie as the decisive fire support arm due to its success in defeating the border fortresses and because high-angle fire was essential for trench warfare. Heavy Artillery was also critical for preparations prior to attacks, particularly for attacking deep targets in the enemy's rear and for counterfire against enemy artillery. Initially, Artillery preparations were massive affairs, sometimes lasting days, followed by a technique known as creeping fire, shifting forward just ahead of the infantry advance. Predicted fire allowed a German Artillery officer, Colonel Georg Bruchmüller, nicknamed Durchbruchmüller (a play on his name and the German word “durchbruch” meaning breakthrough) to develop the concept of a centrally-controlled surprise massive bombardment just prior to the infantry attack. This successful innovation replaced the concept of creeping barrages even with the Allies."

Of course, just the volume of ammunition expended during WWI as compared to 1870 made life pretty dangerous. Add the idea of constant harrassing fire - along with your initial thought of range - reaching far behind the lines with larger caliber weapons, as well as artillery-delivered gas attacks, and there should be no doubt that artillery was much more dangerous in WWI than in 1870. I've read somewhere that 60% of all casualties in WWI were the result of artillery. I'd have to go and search my references to give you an authoritative source on that statistic if you desire.

Edited February 20, 2012 by IrishGunner

[Bernhard H.Holst]

Hello readers.

For anyone interested in details re. German WW I artillery and/or all other matters concerning the German Army in WW I, may want to consult "Handbook of the German Army in War April 1918. Issued by the General Staff."

Published jointly by The Imperial War Museum, London. Department of Printed Books, ISBN: 1-870423-60-7

and The Battery Press, Inc. Nashville, Tennesee 37219 USA, 1996

ISBN: 0-89839-244-6.

It was reprinted in a limited edition but may be available.

Bernhard H. Holst

[IrishGunner]

I would also add that Prussian artillery in 1870 was the decisive factor in many engagements - because of it's advanced breech loading guns. Still, this was short duration and in direct support of infantry engagements. I'd still give the most dangerous "award" to WWI.