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Thursday 4 February 2021

The French 75

When I realised that Osprey Publishing had recently published a book entitled THE FRENCH 75: THE 75mm M1897 FIELD GUN THAT REVOLUTIONIZED MODERN ARTILLERY, I bought a copy. It was delivered yesterday, and since then I have spent an enjoyable hour or so reading it.

I was particularly interested to read about how the field gun was developed and its use by so many different armies, in particularly the American and Polish armies. I understand that two guns have been renovated for use by the French Army as saluting guns.


THE FRENCH 75: THE 75mm M1897 FIELD GUN THAT REVOLUTIONIZED MODERN ARTILLERY was written by Steven Zaloga and illustrated by Felipe Rodriguez, and published by Osprey Publishing in 2020 as part of the ‘New Vanguard’ series (No.288) (ISBN 978 1 4728 3930 5).

6 comments:

  1. If ever a weapon deserved one of these books, the Soixante Quinze would be it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Trebian,

      I agree ... and I’m a bit surprised that a book about the Soixante Quinze wasn’t written a lot earlier.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  2. A classic artillery piece and as you say, the sort of book that should have been written quite sometime ago.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Steve J.,

      I knew that the Soixante Quinze had been used by a large number of armies, but it seems to have equipped even more than I had realised. It certainly revolutionised field artillery when it was introduced, and the fact that it is still in service as a saluting gun over a hundred years later is testament to the quality of its design and manufacture.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete
  3. Hi Bob, does it mention the cocktail named after it? So named as the kick of the drink was like being hit by a French '75 !!! Regards, Paul. PS really enjoying the Portable Pike and Shot book.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. PDL,

      It’s one of my wife’s favourite cocktails!

      I’m glad that you’re enjoying the PP&SW book.

      All the best,

      Bob

      Delete

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