but really really, let's get aside from all this jargon and get down to the core of matter
Who has the biggest cannon in this timeframe?![]()
but really really, let's get aside from all this jargon and get down to the core of matter
Who has the biggest cannon in this timeframe?![]()
But vain the spear and vain the bow,
They never can work War's overthrow;
The hermit's prayer and the widow's tear
Alone can free the world from fear (Blake)
I believe the dragoons DID take on a 'mounted infantry' role once again after the Napoleonic Wars, however, when rifles started to become common. The need for cavalry grew less, and people started seeing the advantage of highly mobile infantry again.
Polemists, the Russians :P
The Tsar Cannon has, according to Wikipedia, a calibur of ~900cm, about 35 inches, and was the largest gun in the world from the time it was built until the World War II. Apparently it was designed to fire grapeshot down Moscow's main street in the event of an attack on the city, and was never used.
In terms of the largest cannons that were actually used (in this period), I believe that award goes to the Turks:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Turkish_Bombard
I can't see something like that being effective in battle though...it'd take all day to reload. And it looks like their accuracy wasn't so great.n 1464, Mehmed II commissioned 42 of the monster cannons to guard the Dardanelles. Each weighed 18 tonnes with a 750 mm (30 in) bore.
These huge cannons were still present for duty more than 300 years later in 1807, when a Royal Navy force appeared and commenced the Dardanelles Operation. Turkish forces loaded the ancient relics with propellant and projectiles, then fired them at the British ships. Instead of exploding, the cannon worked just as well as when they were new. Two shots on a single British ship killed 60 sailors.[3]
In 1867, Abdülâziz gave Queen Victoria one of these impressive and historic weapons. It became a part of the Royal Armouries collection and was displayed to visitors at the Tower of London[4] and was then moved to Fort Nelson at Portsmouth.
But hey, they had them in MTW2, why not do it again? :P
Anyway...in terms of actual EFFECTIVE cannons, I'd be willing to bet on the Russians. They favored their artillery the way other European nations tended to favor cavalry.
Last edited by Sheogorath; 11-29-2008 at 17:59.
Tallyho lads, rape the houses and burn the women! Leave not a single potted plant alive! Full speed ahead and damn the cheesemongers!
There is little doubt that overall the most effective artillery was French. Brilliant organization, effective standartization, highly trained men and officers due to tradition and much love by Napoleon. Of course part of the great impact it made in the large battles is also due to the tactical genius of Napoleon, which usually deployed it where it's strenghts could shine.
Still the Russian Artillery was quite surly the best of the Allies, with a huge number of guns and very brave and well trained men serving them.
Cicero, Pro Milone"Silent enim leges inter arma - For among arms, the laws fall mute"
Yeah, it should be interesting to see how CA spins this out.Originally Posted by Fisherking
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The debate of Russian vs. French artillery is an endless one. It's all based on what sources you think are more reliable, since nobody from the period agrees on that subject.
But the question was who had the largest cannon. It's simply my guess that the Russians would be the ones to deploy the largest cannons in battle. It's just a Russian thing :P
Tallyho lads, rape the houses and burn the women! Leave not a single potted plant alive! Full speed ahead and damn the cheesemongers!
Generally speaking though, the time frame will have Royal French soldiers, not Republican French soldiers (unless there is a successful revolution). Therefore, a more accurate debate would be artillery in the Royal French army vs the Russian's.
I don't know much about this subject to be honest but military doctrine between the French army before Napoleon and after in regards to artillery deployment could be quite different.
But going back on topic, it would be funny if you can recruit elephants in one part of the world, put them on a boat and send them somewhere else. Imagine an elephant going wild in the streets of Vienna.
Last edited by Mailman653; 11-29-2008 at 21:02.
Hmmmm...
*Formulating plans to conquer India as Spain and march across the Alps with imported elephants.*
Tallyho lads, rape the houses and burn the women! Leave not a single potted plant alive! Full speed ahead and damn the cheesemongers!
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