The Canon de 75 Modèle 1897: World's First Modern Artillery Piece

(Author's Collection)

     The French Canon de 75 Modèle 1897, better known simply as the “75”, is considered to be the first modern artillery piece and a testament to its design can be seen in its use by over a dozen nations, deployment in multiple conflicts spanning the years, and that the “75” set the pattern for artillery which came after it. The key reason for the success of the “75” was its hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism. By using cylinders with compressed air and hydraulic oil, the recoil force of the gun barrel is taken up by the cylinders. The effect of this is that the carriage of the gun barely moves, if at all. Guns without such a recoil mechanism had to be repositioned and relayed onto target after every shot as the recoil forces acted on the gun carriage, moving it out of position. With the “75”, a high rate of fire could be achieved as the gun crew did not have to put the cannon back into position. An adequately trained “75” crew could put 15 rounds per minute down range while a highly experienced crew could double that rate.

     In this photograph, an American gun crew is training with the “75” which in U.S. nomenclature was the 75mm Gun M1897. That they are training is evidenced by their wearing the campaign hats rather than helmets and that the firing position is completely exposed which would not be the case if at the front. We see the barrel in full recoil and the advantage of the carriage not moving is clearly evident by two of the crew being right behind the gun shield. The U.S. would license build the “75” though those artillery units in World War One were mostly equipped with French built “75” guns. The design would continue in use by the U.S. Army, being modernized in the 1930s with a new carriage, improved range of motion, and improved ammunition. French built guns updated were designated as the M1897A2 and A3 models while U.S. built guns were designated M1897A4 guns. When replaced in service in 1941 by the M101 105mm howitzer, the “75” was used as an anti-tank gun on M3 GMC (Gun Motor Carriage) tank destroyers and these vehicles would see action throughout the war in all combat theaters.