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12 pounder Guns in Gun Pit - World War, 1939-1945
A cannon
is any tubular piece of artillery that uses gunpowder or other
usually explosive-based propellants to launch a projectile over a
distance. Cannon vary in caliber, range, mobility, rate of fire,
angle of fire, and firepower; different forms of cannon combine and
balance these attributes in varying degrees, depending on their
intended use on the battlefield. The word cannon is derived from
several languages, in which the original definition can usually be
translated as tube, cane, or reed. In modern times, cannon has
fallen out of common usage, usually replaced by "guns" or "artillery",
if not a more specific term, such as "mortar" or "howitzer".
First
used in China, cannon were among the earliest forms of gunpowder
artillery, and over time replaced siege engines—among other forms of
aging weaponry—on the battlefield. The first hand cannon appeared
during the 1260 Battle of Ain Jalut between the Mamluks and Mongols
in the Middle East. The first cannon in Europe were probably used in
Iberia, during the Reconquista, in the 13th century, and English
cannon were first deployed in the Hundred Years' War, at the Battle
of Crécy, in 1346. It was during this period, the Middle Ages, that
cannon became standardized, and more effective in both the
anti-infantry and siege roles. After the Middle Ages most large
cannon were abandoned in favor of greater numbers of lighter, more
maneuverable pieces. In addition, new technologies and tactics were
developed, making most defenses obsolete; this led to the
construction of star forts, specifically designed to withstand
artillery bombardment and the associated siege tactics.
Cannon
also transformed naval warfare: the Royal Navy, in particular, took
advantage of their firepower. As rifling became more commonplace,
the accuracy of cannon was significantly improved, and they became
deadlier than ever, especially to infantry. In World War I, the
majority of all deaths were caused by cannon; they were also used
widely in World War II. Most modern cannon are similar to those used
in the Second World War, except for heavy naval guns, which have
been replaced by missiles. In particular, autocannon have remained
nearly identical to their World War II counterparts.
from Wikipedia |
