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Railway Gun 1916
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Railway Gun 1916
A 12 inch British Mark IX railway gun in action at Meaulte during the Battle of the Somme
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Media ID 4428755
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10269791
EDITORS COMMENTS
This evocative photograph captures the raw power and destruction of the 12 inch British Mark IX railway gun during the Battle of the Somme in 1916. The First World War marked a significant shift in the nature of warfare, with the development of new and devastating weapons that challenged the traditional tactics and strategies of the time. The railway gun, a large-caliber artillery piece mounted on a railway track, was one such weapon. The Mark IX railway gun, produced by the British Ordnance Factory, was the largest and most powerful railway gun used during the war. Capable of firing a 1,020-pound (462-kilogram) shell over a distance of 13 miles (21 kilometers), it was a formidable weapon that could strike enemy positions with pinpoint accuracy. In this image, taken at Meaulte, France, the Mark IX railway gun is shown in action, its massive barrel jutting out from the smoke and dust of the battlefield. The crew, dressed in heavy protective gear, work diligently to load and aim the gun, while nearby soldiers prepare for the imminent barrage. The scene is one of intense focus and determination, as the Allied forces seek to gain the upper hand in the brutal and protracted Battle of the Somme. The Battle of the Somme, which lasted from July to November 1916, was one of the largest and bloodiest battles of the First World War, with over one million casualties on both sides. The use of railway guns like the Mark IX was a testament to the ingenuity and resourcefulness of the military forces of the time, as they sought to adapt to the new realities of modern warfare. This photograph is a powerful reminder of the sacrifices and struggles of the men and women who fought in the Great War, and the enduring impact of their efforts on the course of history.
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