French artillery at the Somme

French gunners prepare to fire a heavy field gun, Ravin d'Hardecourt aux Bois on the Somme, 1916.

The gun, a Canon de 145mm model 1910 St Chamond, had a maximum range of 17.6 kilometers. It was introduced into service in January 1916 as a stop-gap weapon to equip French heavy artillery batteries until more modern guns, specifically designed to meet the requirements of trench warfare, could be built. As well as the Somme, the Canon de 145mm model 1910 St Chamond was also used in the other major battle fought on the Western Front that year, the Battle of Verdun.