Only artillery I've any experience with was the old WWII 25pdr.
Once asked if I'd like to go forward to observe an Infantry advance behind a creeping barrage (and under fixed MG fire - them, not us).
Stood there with our regimental shells warbling overhead and suddenly remembered that, the day before, I'd 'fixed' the little conical range computer thing, whose correct name escapes me, on one of the guns - "Oohh, er missus!"

Originally Posted by 25pdr

Only artillery I've any experience with was the old WWII 25pdr.
Once asked if I'd like to go forward to observe an Infantry advance behind a creeping barrage (and under fixed MG fire - them, not us).
Stood there with our regimental shells warbling overhead and suddenly remembered that, the day before, I'd 'fixed' the little conical range computer thing, whose correct name escapes me, on one of the guns - "Oohh, er missus!"

25 lb'er is an awesome weapon system, let it be said!

(Only a film clip but...I'm often in this part of Holland and this scene comes to mind. A Bridge Too Far - Artillery support - YouTube )

Originally Posted by DeadHorse

I can remember having to watch them fillums when it was too wet to play outside

Too wet to play outside, sir? Good heavens, must have been the great floods!

Originally Posted by tiny_lewis

Lovely film. Esp the rousing mention of the power of the Divisional Artillery barrage at 150 rounds per minute at the end

Of course, no mention of the WP 'Divisional' artillery barrage that would have preceded the deliberate attack, and iirc dwarfed the UK equivalent.

It's also answered a question first raised (to my knoweldge) by "Hands and McGowan" in 'Dont Cry For Me, Sergeant-Major'; British squaddies really cannot count - every time the FOO orders "three rounds for effect" they let off every gun in the battery.

As long as it was "FM Bty", then it was right!

Originally Posted by Recce19

As long as it was "FM Bty", then it was right!

I won't ask what the Naval equivalent is...
Capt: "fire three rounds for effect"
Weps: "Roger.... fire three for effect. Firing now"
Capt: "Fire three more rounds"
Weps: "Er... we only came with four"

Originally Posted by tiny_lewis

I won't ask what the Naval equivalent is...
Capt: "fire three rounds for effect"
Weps: "Roger.... fire three for effect. Firing now"
Capt: "Fire three more rounds"
Weps: "Er... we only came with four"

I see where you're coming from but the late-lamented HMS Liverpool fired 209 rounds from her 4.5" (114mm) during 12 engagements off Libya last year and HMS Sutherland also fired rounds. As most of the land action occurred within 3-5 km of the coast, the situation was made to measure for NGS (Naval Gunfire Support).

HMS Sutherland fires her main 4.5-inch gun as part of NATO’s Operation Unified Protector to safeguard the civilian population of Libya

Originally Posted by 4(T)

Anyone here remember 7 RHA's jolly little "danger close familiarisation" at Otterburn, circa 1987?

Idea was to try and emulate a WW1-style creeping barrage; which meant advancing on foot to within about 30m of the shellbursts, hitting the deck every time one came overhead inbound - and hoping it wasn't the "rugby squad" No1s laying the guns at the other end.... Think I had tinnitus - and cramp in my ring piece - for a week afterwards. I have to say it was probably the most enlightening bit of training I experienced outside of operational contact, though.

I wonder if anyone will ever experience a WW1/WW2 intensity of barrage ever again? Can you imagine what it must have been like to be on the receiving end of a million+ shells for eight to ten hours at a time?

My father was in Alexandria, and he could hear the El Alamein Arty Barrage from there.

Originally Posted by Dunservin

I see where you're coming from but the late-lamented HMS Liverpool fired 209 rounds from her 4.5" (114mm) during 12 engagements off Libya last year and HMS Sutherland also fired rounds. As most of the land action occurred within 3-5 km of the coast, the situation was made to measure for NGS (Naval Gunfire Support).

It was tongue in cheek....

I've always found mortars to be much better than artillery. It's much quicker, more accurate and can be called in much closer.

As said above, even the simulated stuff is damn scary - the sheer deep bass sound/force that hits you to your core can never be captured for film or TV. I'd hate to think what an extended barrage would be like. Hell on earth most likely.

You can understand the psychological aspect of artillery over and above the actual physical damage it does..