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The Royal Artillery and the crisis of 1915 | Dr Spencer Jones

The Western Front Association

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In this lecture, entitled "Toothless Lions - The Royal Artillery and the Firepower Crisis of 1915" Dr Spencer Jones examines the role played by the artillery - which was seriously hampered by poor quality ammunition, obsolete weapons and a steep learning curve.

Could the deadlock on the western front in 1915 have been overcome by the firepower of the guns and howitzers of the Royal Artillery?

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20 Comments

@williamb-hu4xq 3 years ago

These lectures are criminally under watched.

@picklerick8785 3 years ago

As a former USMC artilleryman, I really appreciate someone trying to explain the complexities of artillery to laymen and succeeding at it. There is a lot more than "big gun go boom".

@stellanatore 4 years ago

I admire the charisma & energy dedicated to this even with a small group, I'm sure they appreciated it as well.

@alansmart17 1 year ago (edited)

A rather poor turnout. But a top class lecture. And uplifting to hear a young fellow with such expertise.

@TonyBongo869 2 years ago

Great uncle was at Loos. I stood on the site this May and visited his memorial at Dud Alley Cemetery. RIP Harry Coulson, 7 Sherwood Foresters, killed on October 13,1915. Your sister, my grandmother, mourned you the rest of her life. Lost, but not forgotten. 17 years of age.

@Jon.A.Scholt 1 year ago

I wish Spencer Jones would do a giant series, 100 lectures long on WW1.

@roman_air 3 years ago

I have watched Dr. Jones speak in several Timeline documentaries and he has yet to disappoint. Despite not having a full room each time it is no indication of the lecture’s quality. Fortunate are the students who get Dr.Spencer’s lectures. For he embarks the listener on an entrancing journey to the battlefield. We are all lucky to have educators who still care and are passionate about our past. For it shapes our present and future. ❤

@JustASasquatch420 2 years ago

An absolutely brilliant lecture via this video. My grandfather served with the RFA throughout the war. When you think of the differences between heavy guns, field guns, RA, RGA, RHA, RFA it's pretty mind boggling. It's been a joy to learn of some of things he'd have come into contact with.

@steventhompson399 6 years ago

I'm glad there are some of these talks which address 1915, as it is a blank space in many peoples' memory. There's the marne, Christmas truce, then verdun lol. You dont hear much about the western front in 1915, very informative. The other lecture about French attacks in 1915 was also good, if tragic... it seems like the allies didn't have much success in 1915, although the central powers made gains against Russia and Serbia.

@CurtisWebb-en5kh 1 year ago

Excellent in 2025.thank you ALL who made this happen.

@creepycrawlything 1 year ago

Excellent sustained delivery. Clear thesis communicated coherently from start to finish.

@theoldfart6404 1 year ago

Outstanding presentation by a masterful presenter. Thanks so much.

@logjam88 6 years ago

Excellent presentation, Dr Jones. As per usual =)

@carsonhaught9934 8 years ago

Another worthy excellent lecture, thanks!

@billysdiecastdetailing8868 1 year ago

Excellent.We are writing a book on My grabdfather's WW1 diary as an artillery oficer and this gives a lot of explanantion of his diary entries in 1915 as against a very busy 1916. In 1915 he was largely in the Severn defence batteries whereas 1916 was one of training and courses and getting geared up for the Somme.