QF 4.7 inch Mk V naval gun
Encyclopedia
The QF 4.7 inch Gun Mark V originated as a 120-mm 45 calibres long
naval gun produced for export by the Elswick Ordnance Company in the 1890s and used by various countries.
During World War I
, the UK acquired 620 of a version of the guns manufactured in Japan, and mounted them as anti-submarine guns on merchant ships and troop ships, under the designation Mark V*.
Many of these guns were again used in World War II
to arm merchant ships and troop ships.
went down with his ship and was eventually awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross
for refusing to surrender his ship.
Caliber (artillery)
In artillery, caliber or calibredifference in British English and American English spelling is the internal diameter of a gun barrel, or by extension a relative measure of the length....
naval gun produced for export by the Elswick Ordnance Company in the 1890s and used by various countries.
United Kingdom service
The Royal Navy did not adopt the gun, but several were adopted by the army as coast defence guns around the United Kingdom from 1900 onwards.During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, the UK acquired 620 of a version of the guns manufactured in Japan, and mounted them as anti-submarine guns on merchant ships and troop ships, under the designation Mark V*.
Many of these guns were again used in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
to arm merchant ships and troop ships.
Notable actions
On 10 March 1917 the crew of a single gun on the merchant ship SS Otaki fought a notable action against the heavily-armed German commerce raider SMS Möewe. They managed to set the Möewe on fire and inflicted severe damage before the Otaki was sunk. Otaki's commander Archibald Bisset SmithArchibald Bisset Smith
Archibald Bisset Smith VC was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces....
went down with his ship and was eventually awarded a posthumous Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
for refusing to surrender his ship.
See also
- Type 3 120 mm 45 caliber naval gunType 3 120 mm 45 caliber naval gunThe Type 3 120 mm 45 caliber naval gun was a Japanese naval artillery and coast defense gun used on destroyers and submarines of the Imperial Japanese Navy during World War I and World War II...
version in service with the Imperial Japanese NavyImperial Japanese NavyThe Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1869 until 1947, when it was dissolved following Japan's constitutional renunciation of the use of force as a means of settling international disputes...
from 1918 - QF 4.7 inch Gun Mk I - IVQF 4.7 inch Gun Mk I - IVThe QF 4.7 inch Gun Mks I, II, III, and IV were a family of United-Kingdom 120-mm naval and coast defence guns of 1888 and 1890s which served with the navies of various countries. They were also mounted on various wheeled carriages to provide the British Army with a long range gun...
40-calibres version adopted by the Royal Navy - List of naval guns
- Brixham BatteryBrixham BatteryBrixham Battery and Battery Gardens are an open space on the sea shore in Brixham, Devon at . They are a traditional observation point for Brixham trawler races, both past and present....
World War II Emergency Coastal Defence Battery using this gun