Canon de 155 GPF mle 1917

History

During the First World War (1914-1918), the French tried to meet the requirements for long-range heavy artillery and began to develop a new 155mm field gun. This became the "Canon de 155 Grande Puissance Filloux mle 1917", also known as the Canon de 155 mm GPF (1917 model). The gun was designed by French Colonel L.J.F.

Filloux and was put into service as soon as it was ready to stabilize the shortage of such guns in the French stockpile.

The First World War sparked a series of alliances that led the parties to start wars they wanted or didn't want. For the French, they mainly faced longtime enemy Germany, sitting on their doorstep. The German Empire provided a third of the Allies, plus Austria-Hungary and the Ottoman Empire.

France received timely support from the Russian Empire, Great Britain, Belgium, and others.

At the time of construction, the GPF was a large, large gun that required a wheeled frame. Cruising weight alone is 28,500 lbs, L/38. 2 20-foot barrels. In order for the artillery to operate at maximum efficiency, only a crew of eight was required.

For artillery, that means accuracy and rate of fire. Each 155mm shell is loaded separately from its charge. The weapon mounting system allows a range of barrel elevation from 0 to +35 degrees for direct and indirect fire. Traversal is limited to 60 degrees on either side. Although there is no muzzle brake installed, the integrated recoil mechanism is essential to dampen some hard recoil.

Each projectile exits the barrel at approximately 2,400 feet per second and has a maximum range of 21,325 yards. This range, combined with the 155mm HE shells, ensures that the enemy remains vigilant at a distance. The entire gun assembly is mounted on a separate chassis that can be towed by animals or vehicles.

When the gun is ready, the two trailing arms are separated, which helps to some extent with recoil. The wheels are of the solid metal spoke type.

The gun ended up being used as a standard long-range artillery piece by the U.S. Army (and Marine Corps) during World War I. Local production began in 1917, the same year the United States officially entered the war.

Originally designated M1917 and then M1918, these guns had a long service life until they were replaced by the M1A1 "Long Tom" of the same caliber. The presence of Long Toms in design and testing in the 1930s meant that the M1917/M1918 guns were present on Americans throughout the 1940s.

Availability after World War I meant that GPF was still in circulation before World War II (1939-1945). In addition to American use, the French kept their stocks, which were drawn from reserves, to again support the limited artillery stockpiles.

Under the supreme leadership of Adolf Hitler, the French are now fighting the might of the German army for freedom.

Despite the heroic defense, the French lines collapsed and Paris was left behind by the enemy. Hundreds of GPF guns then fell into the hands of the conquering Germans, all eager to rebuild them into their stockpile (a common practice in Germany during the war).

In German nomenclature, French artillery exists as the 15.5 cm K 418(f) - a small "f" indicates its French origin. These guns then served with the Germans in heavy artillery units, while others were deployed in coastal areas as static fortifications.

Other operators of French guns are Australia, Chile and the Philippines. After World War II, the collection was replaced with French stock.

Specification

Basic

Roles

Dimensions

Performance

Performance

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes