Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II
This book provides an insight into how artillery resources were established, developed and employed during the Second World War, using the British Royal Artillery as an example.

Beginning with an overview of the nature and state of readiness of the Royal Artillery on the outbreak of war, the book analyses in great detail the weapons available to the Royal Artillery, their technical functionality and their performance capabilities. With this knowledge the author then examines the organization, methods, procedures and tactics employed by the Royal Artillery. To complete this fascinating study, Stig Moberg looks at a number of key battles from the war to see how the artillery was used, and the effectiveness of its support to the British and Allied infantry, in campaigns in North Africa, Burma and Europe.

British Artillery of the Second World War is profusely illustrated throughout with photographs, maps, plans, graphs, charts and diagrams to demonstrate precisely how the British Artillery was used on the battlefields around the world.

‘Although I am an infantryman, and proud of it, I have many times said that the Royal Regiment of Artillery, in my opinion, did more to win the last war, more than any other Arm of the Service.’
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery
1124484792
Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II
This book provides an insight into how artillery resources were established, developed and employed during the Second World War, using the British Royal Artillery as an example.

Beginning with an overview of the nature and state of readiness of the Royal Artillery on the outbreak of war, the book analyses in great detail the weapons available to the Royal Artillery, their technical functionality and their performance capabilities. With this knowledge the author then examines the organization, methods, procedures and tactics employed by the Royal Artillery. To complete this fascinating study, Stig Moberg looks at a number of key battles from the war to see how the artillery was used, and the effectiveness of its support to the British and Allied infantry, in campaigns in North Africa, Burma and Europe.

British Artillery of the Second World War is profusely illustrated throughout with photographs, maps, plans, graphs, charts and diagrams to demonstrate precisely how the British Artillery was used on the battlefields around the world.

‘Although I am an infantryman, and proud of it, I have many times said that the Royal Regiment of Artillery, in my opinion, did more to win the last war, more than any other Arm of the Service.’
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery
55.0 In Stock
Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II

Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II

by Stig H Moberg
Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II

Gunfire!: British Artillery in World War II

by Stig H Moberg

Hardcover

$55.00 
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Overview

This book provides an insight into how artillery resources were established, developed and employed during the Second World War, using the British Royal Artillery as an example.

Beginning with an overview of the nature and state of readiness of the Royal Artillery on the outbreak of war, the book analyses in great detail the weapons available to the Royal Artillery, their technical functionality and their performance capabilities. With this knowledge the author then examines the organization, methods, procedures and tactics employed by the Royal Artillery. To complete this fascinating study, Stig Moberg looks at a number of key battles from the war to see how the artillery was used, and the effectiveness of its support to the British and Allied infantry, in campaigns in North Africa, Burma and Europe.

British Artillery of the Second World War is profusely illustrated throughout with photographs, maps, plans, graphs, charts and diagrams to demonstrate precisely how the British Artillery was used on the battlefields around the world.

‘Although I am an infantryman, and proud of it, I have many times said that the Royal Regiment of Artillery, in my opinion, did more to win the last war, more than any other Arm of the Service.’
Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781473895607
Publisher: Pen and Sword
Publication date: 12/05/2017
Pages: 416
Product dimensions: 6.90(w) x 9.80(h) x 1.70(d)

About the Author

Stig H. Moberg is a former officer of Royal Swedish Artillery Reserve.

Table of Contents

Foreword Brigadier (retd) Ken Timbers RA 12

Preface 14

Acknowledgements 18

Part 1 Historical Background - War and Rearmament

1 The Period Before the First World War 25

Two pictures 25

The Black Prince takes to the guns 26

A permanent artillery organisation 27

The establishment of the Royal Regiment of Artillery 27

Twenty-two years of war against Napoleon 29

A paradigm shift 30

Ubique - Quo Fas Et Gloria Ducunt 32

2 The Period up to the Second World War 33

The great wars and the next paradigm shift 33

The Territorial Army - using society's best resources in times of national crisis 34

Artillery develops into a mighty force during the Great War 35

'It can be presumed…' 37

Development against the odds 37

Goodbye to the horse 38

Organisational adaptation 38

Traditions and names 39

3 Twilight-War and Mobilisation 40

The Territorial Army (TA) doubles 40

To war with obsolete guns 42

Artillery mobilisation 45

4 A Decisive Rearmament 48

Construction takes five years 48

A new light standard gun for divisional artillery 50

Mobilisation of industry 52

The 25-pounder is well received by artillery units 54

The old mountain howitzer 54

Army and corps artillery modernised with new medium guns 55

Heavy artillery neglected 57

The 'Bishop', the 'Priest' and the 'Sexton' on stage 58

The Congreve legacy - rocket renaissance 60

Modernisation of anti-tank artillery 61

Anti-aircraft guns in ground role 62

5 Artillery Grouping, Organisation and Equipment 64

'Indirect fire system' 64

Artillery grouping and command structure 66

'System management' and command 67

Organisation of the Field Regiment 68

Manoeuvre organisation of batteries 70

The vehicles 72

Self-propelled guns required a modernised stock of vehicles 73

Organisation of Medium and Heavy Regiments 73

Manpower and equipment specifications for the different types of regiment 74

The communication function and equipment of a Field Regiment 74

6 Looking Far into the Battlefield 81

Army Cooperation Squadrons, RAF 81

Air Observation Posts 83

The Sound Rangers - the 'ears' of the artillery 86

Radar - a new intelligence resource 89

'Flash spotting' - artillery observation bases 89

Supporting intelligence resources were Corps units 92

7 Airborne Artillery 93

Construction takes time 93

Air-transported artillery another option 97

Part 2 Gunnery Methods, Procedures, Tactics, Staff Work

8 How to Hit the Target - Technical Gun Characteristics 100

Internal ballistics 100

External ballistics 100

Declining muzzle velocity a scourge 101

Range Tables provide information on trajectory physics 102

Fire dispersion unavoidable 103

Tactical advantages of different charges and fuzes 104

9 How to Hit the Target - Geodetic Requirements 108

Good maps a must 108

Which 'North' to use? 108

Traditional survey again honoured 109

Target acquisition - the most difficult task 112

How to deal with geodetic relations at the gun positions? 112

10 How to Hit the Target - Gun Laying 114

11 Preparations for Opening of Gunfire 117

Deployment and gun orientation 117

Fire observation and control 123

Other preparations before opening fire 125

12 Artillery Battle Techniques and Tactics 126

When everything that could be calculated had been done - ranging complements 126

After ranging - fire for effect 130

Battle techniques - general factors and dilemmas 131

The doctrine was there, but battle techniques were to be gradually developed 133

Violent, persistent - battle techniques for attack 135

Unplanned heavy blows might be lashed after the barrage 141

Be prepared to hit back hard! Battle techniques for the defence 142

Some battle techniques used in both an offensive and in defence 143

Counter-bombardment always a priority 145

The human factor 149

13 Train, Train, Exercise, Exercise…! 150

Fast-track training 150

War-oriented officers training 152

Exercises at all levels an ongoing process 154

14 Success Requires Efficient Staff Work 155

Three disciplines 155

The artillery - one of the best providers of tactical information 157

Coordinated planning and order production - keys to success 158

The Order is given, control and support follow 161

Part 3 How British Artillery Resources Were Used - Descents into Battle History

15 Introduction 164

16 Artillery to the Field - Across the Channel 165

The 'Phoney War' 165

End of the respite - April 1940 170

'David 6 - David 6 - David 6' 171

'Impress on the troops that this is the real thing and not a Divisional Exercise' 174

The BEF outflanked but avoids encirclement 177

What role did the British Artillery play? 180

Withdrawal under artillery protection 182

Fatigue takes its toll 185

Lysanders - not suitable for air observation 185

The artillery is once again concentrated 186

The counter-attack at Arras - no role for the artillery 187

BEF under extreme pressure but holds the right flank thanks to its artillery 188

Fragmentation - the 'indirect fire system' put out of order 190

The unremitting work of the surveyors 190

The last shots - the gunners fire to the end 193

The battle is over - but not south of Somme! 196

Summary of the role of British Artillery in France 1940 197

17 Failed Intervention in Norway 199

Norway a country of strategic interest 199

Planning of the attack 200

To forestall or be forestalled - the battle begins 201

The allies give priority to northern Norway 202

But where was the artillery? 204

The only artillery unit 205

Positions are taken in the Narvik area 206

An experienced mountain warrior takes over 208

Auchinleck's assessment 208

The southern front a great concern 209

How to employ 203 Battery RA? 210

Narvik recaptured 211

The large evacuation - a failed campaign is over 212

Summary of the (limited) role of artillery in Norway 213

18 From Imminent Invasion Threat to Offensive Training 214

Restoration 214

A new regimental organisation is born 217

First phase of invasion defence - the threat and need for improvisation 218

Second phase of invasion defence - continued rearmament, training, development of new methods 221

The third phase - preparations for an offensive overseas 226

19 'It will be a killing match' - El Alamein 229

Varying initiatives 229

Qattara Depression - its historical importance 230

How had the artillery resources been employed before El Alamein? 231

Montgomery in command 232

Recovery and then - a new battle 234

Montgomery's plan for his own great offensive 236

The situation before the great offensive 238

Intelligence status good 240

No ammunition shortage 242

The coordinated fire plan 242

Where are we? Finding the way ahead 243

Intensive covering fire - but no barrages 244

21.40 hours on 23 October 1942 245

The initial attack - success and setbacks 246

Continuous artillery fire for twelve days 250

What about 'simplicity'? 254

One million shells 255

Summary of the role of artillery at the last battle of El Alamein 256

20 A New Front is Opened - Normandy 258

Preceding bombardment - the task of the navies and air forces 258

Large amounts of artillery landed 260

Covering fire after the initial bombardment 262

Continuous landing of artillery resources 264

Consolidation and enlargement of the bridgehead 265

Operation Goodwood - an attempt to break out? 267

French observers 269

'The scourge' 270

Finally - material superiority counts 270

Summary of the role of artillery in the British sector 272

21 'BERLIN Tonight'-Arnhem 275

'A bridge too far' 276

The artillery plan - Operation Market 278

The artillery plan - Operation Garden 281

From plans to action 284

The artillery starts the battle in the south - XXX Corps breakout 286

The fighting north of the Rhine intensifies 288

The Guards Division head north 291

The air-transported reinforcement division 294

The artillery dispersed but finally concentrated again 295

The medium and heavy guns rush forward 298

How had the artillery intelligence resources been employed? 303

The role of airpower 304

Disappointed Scottish gunners 305

The end of the battle and evacuation 306

How had the gunners contributed to making the evacuation possible? 307

Operation Market Garden - still controversial 310

Summary of the role of artillery in Operation Market Garden 312

22 The Final Onslaught - The Rhine Crossing 315

Artillery planning initially concentrated at Corps headquarters 322

Hard, exhausting staff work 324

Ten hours of counter-bombardment 326

Strong support of the Commando Brigade - Operation Widgeon 326

And then: concentrated firepower in support of the main attack - Operation Torchlight 328

Massive XXX corps artillery support - Operation Turnscrew 329

The mistakes at Arnhem should not be repeated - Operation Varsity 330

A short but intensive artillery fire preparation before the air-landings 334

A good start - the plans for Operation Plunder take effect 335

Operation Varsity - another catastrophe? 336

Breakout towards the Baltic coast 340

Summary of the artillery role in Operation Plunder - the Rhine Crossing 341

23 From Defeat to Success - Burma 343

Ubique! 343

The new enemy 343

First Phase - Malaya and Singapore 344

Next Phase - Burma 346

The many artillery problems in Burma 349

The last artillery battle of the war 352

24 Gunners We Have Met 353

They forged the sword 353

Distinguished Territorial officers 356

They used the sword - the subalterns 357

Epilogue Interview with Major General (retd) Jonathan B.A. Bailey CB, MBE, PhD 360

Selection of Symbols, Terms and Acronyms 365

Maps 369

Appendices 401

Notes 414

Sources and Literature 429

Index 442

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