Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917 Marker

Inscription. The 155mm Gun (GPF), dubbed the Grand Puissance or "High Powered" Filloux (GPF), was a very successful weapon of rugged design named in honor of its French designer, Captain Louis J.F. Filloux. It has a large angle of traverse for its time, making it suitable for the concentration of artillery fire. The U.S. Army purchased 48 of these pieces from France during World War I. This model was known as the Model 1917. It was so useful that American industry manufactured 354 identical GPF guns during WWI, which were designated as the 155mm Gun Model of 1918. These long-range guns were used as interdiction and counter-battery weapons and were effective against captive balloons used for observations by both sides in WWI. Some of these guns saw service with the German Army during World War II. Small numbers of GPFs were also utilized by Allied forces. The GPF was modernized for high speed transport by mounting the tube on an M3 carriage and, as such, saw service during World War II. In 1943, 100 GPFs were mounted on modified chassis of M3 Lee tanks and re-designated the M12 Gun Motor Carriage. This gun has a French tube mounted on

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an American manufactured carriage.

Caliber - 6.1 in. - 155 mm
Weight - 19,860 lbs. - 9,027 kg
Range - 17,700 yds. - 16,338m
Shell Weight - 95 lb. - 43 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 2,411 ft/sec. - 735 m/sec.
Elevation - (0 to + 35 degrees) - (0 to 1,066 mils)
Traverse - 60 degrees - 1,066 mils
Rate of Fire - 2 rpm
CCN# 122440

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 282.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1917.

Location. 34° 39.989′ N, 98° 23.114′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the eastern section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

The French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917 and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917 and Marker

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Soviet M1938 122mm Field Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1931 203mm Howitzer (a few steps from this marker); German 210mm Howitzer 18 (a few steps from this marker); German LG 42/1 105mm Airborne Recoilless Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. 8-Inch Howitzer, M1/M115 (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M1 8-Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M40 155mm Gun Motor Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M1 4.5-inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification

The side view of the French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The side view of the French GPF 155mm Gun, Model of 1917

is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Submitted on March 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 695 times since then and 122 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.