British Gun Carrier Mark I fitted with a 60 pdr gun

The Gun Carrier Mark I was the first piece of self-propelled artillery ever to be produced, a British development from the First World War. Image File history File links British Gun Carrier Mark I (60 pdr)) of 1917. ... Image File history File links British Gun Carrier Mark I (60 pdr)) of 1917. ... A U.S. M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer Self-propelled artillery vehicles mount a large howitzer (or alternatively mortar or rockets) and are used for long-range indirect bombardment support. ... Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ...

Development

During 1916 it became clear that in case of a breakthrough, the very purpose of the first tank, the Mark I, artillery would have great trouble following the advancing troops. Any successful offensive would therefore be in danger of stalling immediately. To solve this problem Major Gregg, an engineer working for the main tank producing company Metropolitan, proposed to build special mechanised artillery, using parts of the Mark I. The production of a prototype was approved on 5 June 1916; the actual design began in July. The first prototype was ready to participate in the Tank Trials Day at Oldbury on 3 March 1917. An order of fifty vehicles was given to Kitson & Co. in Leeds. Deliveries to the army started in June and ended in July. 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... A Mark I tank (moving left to right). ... Historically, artillery refers to any engine used for the discharge of projectiles during war. ... June 5 is the 156th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (157th in leap years), with 209 days remaining. ... 1916 is a leap year starting on Saturday (link will take you to calendar) // Events January-February January 1 -The first successful blood transfusion using blood that had been stored and cooled. ... March 3 is the 62nd day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (63rd in leap years). ... 1917 was a common year starting on Monday (see link for calendar). ... Leeds Coat Of Arms Map sources for Leeds at grid reference SE297338 Leeds is a city in the county of West Yorkshire, in the north of England. ...

Description

The vehicle bore little resemblance to the Mark I. The tracks weren't tall but low, almost flat. At the back a rectangular superstructure covered the Daimler 105 hp engine together with the transmission of the Mark I, the latter now in a reversed position. Sharing it were the vehicle commander, a mechanic and two gearsmen. The original double tail wheel of the Mark I, attached to the rear of the vehicle, was retained. The front was an open area with either a 5-inch 60-pounder field gun or a 6-inch howitzer. Only the wheels have to be removed and attached to the side of the carrier for transport. In theory, the gun could be fired from the vehicle; in reality only the howitzer could be used. Alternatively the guns could be unloaded through a pivoting cradle assisted by two winding drums driven by the engine. Above the front of the track frame at each side was an armoured cab for the driver on the left and the brakesman on the right. In the prototype these driving positions were directly in front of the superstructure; moving them forward improved visibility, but made communication very difficult - a problem as, in the Mark I, four men (including the gearsmen) had to cooperate to steer the tank. Logo of Daimler 1898 Daimler car in Bristol Industrial Museum, England Daimler is a British marque of motor car since 1896. ... A 60-pounder at full recoil. ...

Operational History

In July 1917 two Gun Carrier Companies were formed of 24 vehicles each. Probably none of them ever fired a shot in anger. As breakthroughs never materialised the vehicles were in the end used as supply tanks only. It was calculated a single tank had the same carrying capacity as 291 human porters.

Variants

Two vehicles out of the order of fifty were finished as Gun Carrier Cranes, salvage tanks with a hand-operated crane in the front. The forward cabs were absent.

There was a project for a Gun Carrier Mark II. Early in 1917 a wooden mock-up was made of an improved type, carrying the gun at the back. A real prototype was partly built, but never finished, the sole result of the project being that the original type is now known as the Gun Carrier Mark I.