JFK+50: Volume 7, No. 2385
THOUSANDS OF ARTILLERY PIECES NEEDED TO DEFEAT GERMANYWashington, D.C. (JFK+50) One hundred years ago today, July 29, 1917, the United States Ordinance Department* estimated that the army would "need thousands of pieces of artillery" before Germany could be defeated in the world war.
The Chicago Daily Tribune reported that artillery guns were being built at the rate of about 50 per year and that "at present" there were 600 guns available for use on the front.
The United States government accepted an offer by the French to take over their surplus guns. New American guns were to be re-chambered to use the exact same type of ammunition as the French guns.
Militaryfactory.com says...
"Despite the advent of armored vehicles, bomber aircraft and portable machine guns, the old fashioned artillery piece reigned supreme in World War One."
*The United States Ordinance Corps, headquartered at Fort Lee, Virginia, supplies combat units with weapons & ammunition. During WWI, the USOC also made available field outfits including canteens, tin cups, knives, forks & spoons as well as horse equipment.
SOURCES
"Billions Must Go For Guns To Cope With Foe," The Chicago Daily Tribune, July 30, 1917.
"World War I Artillery (1914-1918)", Militaryfactory.com, www.militaryfactory.com/
Ordnance Corps
Regimental Insignia
US Army Institute of Heraldry
