WWI artillery shell carrier - photo

**Altair** · May 30, 2021, 07:13 PM

Troops from the Royal Garrison Artillery regiment using an 8-inch howitzer shell carrier, February 15, 1918.

Previously:

WW1 artillery shell fuse cutaway - photo
WWI Austro-Hungarian siege howitzer - photo
1930 Pavesi TL31 artillery tractor - photo
1944 steam-powered artillery tractor - photo
Artillery autoloader - GIF

**Frank S** · May 31, 2021, 10:16 PM

The device might be useful for lifting the projectile high enough too be pushed into the artillery piece , but as a transport device the geometry is all wrong the center of gravity is way above the handles by which the men have to carry it. Also pairing a tall guy with a much shorter man is a big mistake first off the tall person will tire quickly having to stay bent over to compensate for the reduced height of his partner very hard on his back as well. If he doesn't then the shorter man has to try and raise his arms to the same level of the other guy this will cause his arms to tire quickly failing to do this he risks having the shell roll off the cradle onto him plus he is having to carry more of the weight of the shell if he hold his side lower than the other guy.
Lastly due to the high center of gravity the load will have a natural tendency to sway fore and aft as it is being carried causing the men to have to pay closer attention to the load they are transporting while attempting to step over obstacles while walking sideways.
They would have been better off inverting the rig strapping the load to it and hoisting the rig to their shoulders for transport then reposition the load to heft it up to the armillary piece But still need 2 guys of similar height and build.
I just noticed the 3rd guy is doing the stabilizing What a fiasco

**Frank S** · May 31, 2021, 10:23 PM

That tall dumb looking officer should have been the one on the handles where the shorter guy was How do I know he was an officer you ask? because he is the only one standing around with his hands in his pockets no self respecting dog faced soldier would be caught dead with his hands in his pockets they knew better

**Toolmaker51** · Jun 1, 2021, 10:03 AM

Hands in pockets? Not a trait of soldiers, airmen, or sailors.
Meanwhile, as pointed out, nothing in that rig has consideration of mechanics, ergonomics or simple efficiency. Probably a 10"/ 250mm projectile, maybe 120-150 pounds? My inclination would be a pair of cylindrical jaws on right-angle bars, like a blacksmith tong. Picks up vertically, they stand and transport and set down on feed ramp on breech.

**Frank S** · Jun 1, 2021, 02:02 PM

Originally Posted by Toolmaker51

Hands in pockets? Not a trait of soldiers, airmen, or sailors.
Meanwhile, as pointed out, nothing in that rig has consideration of mechanics, ergonomics or simple efficiency. Probably a 10"/ 250mm projectile, maybe 120-150 pounds? My inclination would be a pair of cylindrical jaws on right-angle bars, like a blacksmith tong. Picks up vertically, they stand and transport and set down on feed ramp on breech.

I spotted a 2nd LT leaning up against the side of a duce and a half with his hands shoved so deep in his pockets I was wondering if he was trying to scratch his toes.
He didn't see me what I approached, when I was about 3 feet away from him I called him out rather bruskly. LT what the hell you are doing? While I was still blousing him down I gave the insignia on his lapels a salute. While saying I realize you are only a 2nd LT and probably less than a month out of OCS, but in this man's Army we don't stand around leaning against a vehicle with our hands buried in our pockets like some bum with nowhere to go and nothing to do. There are 30 men over there who are busy preparing these vehicles for a field exercise if you are going to my the MTR Officer of "MY" Motor pool at least act like you have something to do. Grab a TM and review the tactical equipment load lists or find a clipboard with a supply request and study it or something. I don't care if you run to the old man and lodge a formal complaint against me at least you would be doing something besides setting a bad example in front of my maintenance personnel and the drivers.
UH, UHHHH Sorry Sargant my hands were cold.
Then visit supply and get a pair of gloves Sir. and while you are there if you could do a favor for me and check out what happened to the last request for winter coveralls, I'd greatly appreciate it.
I had little use for Officers below the grade of CPT (O3) or above the grade of a Bird col. (06)