Field artillery materiel

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

71954

Title

Field artillery materiel

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

Compiled by James P. Kelly, this 1920 manual details the development, use, and care of modern field artillery equipment. It covers the 3-inch gun, French and British 75s, 4.7-inch guns, 155-mm howitzers, fire control instruments, and small arms. The text offers technical specifications, tactical missions, and maintenance instructions for U.S. Army field artillery units.

Summary up to 500 words

Compiled by First Lieutenant James P. Kelly, *Field Artillery Materiel* serves as a definitive technical guide for the organization, use, and care of modern field artillery equipment during the early 20th century. The text synthesizes the consensus of American, French, British, and Italian artillery officers to prepare troops for the rigors of war, emphasizing that artillery success relies on mobility, power, and variety to minimize infantry casualties. The manual categorizes artillery into division, corps, and army roles, advocating for a balanced program of light field guns and howitzers capable of handling diverse terrains and tactical missions. The guide provides detailed evaluations of specific weapons, such as the 75-mm gun and 4-inch howitzer, analyzing their mechanical features, carriage designs, and potential for motorization. It argues that while theoretical projectile weight series exist, practical mission requirements dictate the actual artillery program. Extensive sections cover ammunition types—including high explosive, shrapnel, gas, and tracer shells—along with precise marking conventions for identification. A significant focus is placed on the mechanics of fuzes, detailing detonating, time, and combination types, alongside strict safety precautions to prevent accidents during handling and loading. Furthermore, the book acts as a practical manual for the preservation of equipment, specifying the use of various oils like hydroline, vaseline, and neat's-foot oil for different parts of the machinery. Technical tables provide essential data on weight dimensions, ranges, and elevation capabilities for various gun models, while appendices offer unit conversions and an index for quick reference. Ultimately, the text reflects a unified international perspective on artillery doctrine, aiming to instill rigorous technical knowledge and disciplined maintenance practices within the ranks of officers and soldiers.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/71954.epub.noimages

Local file path

data/epubs/pg71954.epub

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Downloaded at

2026-07-07 06:43 UTC

Categories

• Artillery