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de Burca · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Austin,Texas

I was wondering about artillery ranges, particularly the howitzer range. If it was longer (within reason,of course), it would encourge situating a battery farther away from the front to shell targets, instead of using them as they have been used, which many hawks do not care for, as a main assualt force.
Then you you would have the added strategy of defending and attacking these seperate batteries. Is this a valid idea? The howitzer doesn't seem to have much range. I would like them to shell citie's, emplacements etc from farther behind the lines in a area that has been secured,much like in real warfare.
I played mostly Viet Nam and WW2 type games before I discovered this game and got interested in this historical era. What are some of the ways that that differ in the use's of artillery in these two different eras? I mean beside's technical improvements, more like as in military doctrine and tactically.

[HWK]GeXozoid · Joined: 30 Apr 2004 Posts: 249

Napoleonice howitzers had realy short range like 2 times smaller than a cannon (maybe even 3) and was very inaccurate if not commanded very well!
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Sharpe · Posted: Thu Aug 05, 2004 6:07 pm Post subject:

i think the howitzers will have to have at least at LEAST quadruple the range of cossacks howitzers, or else there useless
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Over the hills an over the main, Through Flanders, Portugal and Spain, King George commands an we obey, Over the hills and faraway!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[HWK]GiNg3RfiSh · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 270 Location: -=[England]=-

[1776]Daddio · Guest

Help me out here,

From what I have been able to find a Howitzer has mostly used form prepared positions that were captured or built under fire for mostly seige purposes.

So short range, would be correct. They were mostly anti fortification and anti moral guns.

I agree that most battles are too fast moveing for the use of artilery anyway. Unless you are using them on the defence.

The light horse drawn cannons were very effective offencive weapons. I understand that C2 will make use of these.

But I would say the howi is almost perfect the way it is in the Gex mod.

[1776]Daddio

HWKBud · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject:

Sorry men all the historical
accurate information re Howitzers they where used for LONG range targets, ordinary cannon was used for targets at shorter ranges where they where more devastating.
Bud
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de Burca · Joined: 01 May 2004 Posts: 61 Location: Austin,Texas

[1776]Daddio · Guest

Very interesting topic,

Made me think, and that hurts im telling you.

So I looked it up on the internet,http://www.napoleonguide.com/artillery_ranges.htm

Some good information there on many Napoleon eara nations, arms, and the like.

It seems that most light cannon of the day were 6, and 8 pounders. And the most common Howitzer was the 6 pounder.

Cannons had a max range of 1350 meters but were extremlly inaccurate at their max. There most effective range was around 725 meters, this was there most accurate range of fire. Cannister was most effective at 360 meters.

Howitzers were max = 1100 Meters, most effective range was 640 Meters, and interistingly enough had a further effective canister range of 460 meter.

Correct me if iI,m wrone but the Howitzer was a short barreled gun, making it less accurate, but weighed less and was sought after because of its manuverability and faster fireing rate.

It appears thet most Battries of the day had mostlly 1 but almost never 2 Howi's available. used along with the cannon, but to me there biggest value was for defence of the battery. and to be moved up for close support of the infantry.

[1776]Daddio

HWKBud · Posted: Mon Aug 09, 2004 8:27 pm Post subject:

Howitzers had a very fast rate of fire and use up ammunition quickly and created lots of smoke. Ideal against troops in buildings to set them on fire and troops in cover of trees, Napoleon ordered his Hoitzers up to set fire to Hougomont and Wellington ordered a battery of Howitzers forward to bombard the French troops massing in the woods ready to attack Hougomont.
Used mainly against longer ranged targets than cannon even though there where inaccuarate at long ranges.
Bud
I will scan my book of Napoleonic artillery tactics and try to post it at forum to bring a bit more clarity and understanding of Napoleonic Artillery lots of facts and figures but worth the read.
Bud
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[HWK]GiNg3RfiSh · Joined: 20 Apr 2004 Posts: 270 Location: -=[England]=-

would b great bud, whats the book called?might try get it on amazon,they have detailed pictures ect...or just information text?

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