Artillery & Siege Weapons

One of the enduring symbols of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle dominates the landscape of the city. Occupied since the 9th century BC, the Castle Rock and Edinburgh Castle have served as a fortress, palace, and a prison. Edinburgh Castle has evolved over the centuries and now serves as museum, ceremonial center, and military headquarters.

Located in the heart of the kingdom, Stirling Castle played a key role in Scottish military history. From the 12th century on, those who held Stirling Castle controlled almost all movement through the center of Scotland. This dominence of the local terrain led to key battles, such as Stirling Bridge (1297) and Bannockburn (1314) being fought in the castle's shadow.

Fort Ticonderoga was built at the southern end of Lake Champlain in 1758. Constructed by the French as Fort Carillon, Fort Ticonderoga played a key role in the campaigns of the French & Indian War. Idle for a decade, Fort Ticonderoga was the scene of several battles during the American Revolution.

The Ordnance QF 25-pounder was the standard artillery piece used by British Commonwealth forces during World War II. Designed to be an improvement over the World War I-era 18-pounder, the 25-pounder saw service in all theaters and was a favorite with gun crews. It remained in use through the 1960s and 1970s.

The V-1 flying bomb was developed by Germany during World War II as a "vengence weapon." An early cruise missile, the V-1 earned the name "buzz bomb" for the sound it made during flight. Launched from ground sites and aircraft, the V-1 was used against Allied population centers.

The V-2 was designed by the Germans during World War II and was the world's first ballistic missile. Fired from mobile launchers, V-2 strikes hit Antwerp and London during the latter stages of the conflict. Following the war, the V-2's creators played key roles in the space race.

The Manhattan Project was the Allied effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II. Led by Maj. Gen. Leslie Groves and J. Robert Oppenheimer, the Manhattan Project developed research facilities across the United States. The Manhattan Project was successful and made the atomic bombs used at Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

The "Little Boy" atomic bomb was the result of the Manhattan Project during World War II. Obtaining its explosive power from the fission of uranium-235, Little Boy was the first atomic weapon used during wartime. On August 6, 1945, Little Boy was dropped by the B-29 Superfortress "Enola Gay" on Hiroshima effectively destroying the city.

Developed in the 1960s, the AIM-54 Phoenix missile was the US Navy's first long-range missile. Designed to operate with the AWG-9 radar, the AIM-54 was carried aboard the US Navy's F-14 Tomcats and was largely meant to serve in a fleet defense role. The AIM-54 was retired from service in September 2004.

A brief history and photograph of the 15th century bombard cannon "Mons Meg."

One of the best field guns available early in World War I, the rapid firing French 75mm was a mainstay of their artillery units. This site provides period footage of the 75mm in action.

An overview of US artillery operations and equipment during World War II.