| The introduction of artillery was truly revolutionary for fortification and military science as a whole. Cannons were loaded with
cannonballs for long range shooting up to 1,500 m (5,000 ft), or with grapeshot for short range shooting (150-500 m, or 500-1,600 ft). In the navy
they also used knipels (two cannonballs or halves of a cannonball bound together with a chain) to crash an enemy rig, and brandskugels (incendiary
cannonballs).
The terrain of artillery position was of great importance. For instance, if an enemy was positioned on a spongy soil or swampland, cannonballs
didn't recoil against the surface; thus the range of fire became shorter with the enemy's casualties lower. The most favorable artillery position
was on an eminence, where the range of fire was much longer.
Cannons were lethal long-range weapons but of little use at short ranges or in hand-to-hand combat. Cannons were transported with horses
harnessed to a special cart - artillery limber. The limber was also loaded with some ammunition. The main load of ammo was transported in the
ammunition-wagon. A cannon's rate of fire was about a shot per two minutes. Initially gunners had no specific uniform and were considered artisans
rather than soldiers. However, as regular army developed, in the XVIII century they got a standard uniform similar to that of musketeers. |
