BL 6-inch 26 cwt howitzer at Cologne during riots, c.1918
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The 6in 26 cwt BL Howitzer was the most important heavy gun in the British armoury by the middle of the First World War, despite having been designed as a wartime expedient.
At the start of the war the Royal Artillery’s siege batteries were equipped with the obsolete 6in 30cwt BL siege howitzer, but it was quickly clear that this wasn’t good enough for trench warfare, and the Royal Artillery demanded a replacement. Work on the new design began early in 1915, and the first guns were ready in the middle of the year. In an impressive illustration of the potential of British industry, almost 700 had been completed by the end of the year. Over 3,600 were built by the end of the war.
The new weapon had a stubby barrel mounted above the recoil mechanism. This was a very effective design that was later used on the Second World War era 5.5in gun-howitzer. The 6in 26cwt used a heavy box trail that allowed it to reach 45 degrees of elevation, giving it the sort of plunging fire that was most effective against fortifications. It was used with a heavy 45.36kg shell or a light 39kg shell, with maximum ranges of 8,685m or 10,425m respectively. The basic design remained largely unchanged for the weapon’s entire service career, and the Mk.I was the only version ever produced. It had a hydro-pneumatic recoil system and screw breech and used bagged charges.
The 6in cwt was normally posted close to the front lines, where it was used against enemy trenches, bunkers and other defences. Its range was good for 1918 and well suited to trench warfare.
The 6in howitzer was modernized in the 1930s by giving it a new axle with steel wheels and pneumatic tires, making it more suitable for towing behind motor vehicles.
It remained in British service into the Second World War, where some were used in the early clashes in North Africa, including the Eritrean campaign of 1941. It was also used in Burma. However by the Second World War its range was less impressive and it was slowly replaced by the Ordnance BL 5.5in Gun, which entered service in 1942.
The 6in howitzer was used as a training weapon after being withdrawn from front line service, and was declared obsolete in October 1945.
The 6in cwt was sold to several European countries, and when they were over-run fell into German hands. Weapons sold to Belgium became the Obusier de 6” and then the 15.2cm sFH 410(b). Those sold to Italy became the Obice da 152/13 and then the 15.2cm sFH 412(i). Those sold to the Dutch became the Houwitzer 6” and then the 15.2cm sFH 407(h). Weapons captured directly from the British became the 15.2cm sFH 412(e)
Name |
6in 26cwt BL Howitzer Mk I |
Calibre |
152.4mm (6in) |
Barrel Length |
2.22m (7ft 3.55in) |
Weight for transport |
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Weight in action |
3,693.5kg (8,142lb) |
Elevation |
0 to 45 degrees |
Traverse |
8 degrees |
Shell Weight |
39kg (86lb) or 45.36kg (100lb) |
Muzzle Velocity |
429m (1,407ft)/ sec |
Maximum Range |
10,425m (11,400 yards) with light shell |
Rate of Fire |
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The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Weapons of World War I, general editor Chris Bishop. A useful collection of articles on the main weapons of the First World War, based on Orbis's War Machine of the 1980s. Still accurate despite its relative age, well illustrated and supported by some informative general articles, and provides a good overview of the military technology of the Great War. [read full review]
