The French/German 1870/1871 war experience, particularly the Paris siege, demonstrated the importance of having some equipment to attack air objectives, such as airships. The ballistic properties of the famous French 75mm filedgun allowed it to be the base of a good anti-aircraft weapon, as far as a solution was found to give it much higher elevation angles.
The 'Canon de 75 Mle 1897 DCA sur remorque' was a design of 1917. This weapon with a amazingly modern look was composed of a 75mm tube with its recoil recuperator system, mounted on a 4 inclinable trails carriage, used both as a trailer and firing platform.
- In movement configuration, the 4 trails were elevated, and the carriage was supported by the two wheels so that it coould be trailed by an automobile vehicle.
- In firing configuration, the carriage was elevated by 4 jacks and the 4 trails were set down on a cross pattern in order to provide a good stability.
Compared to previous models based on the same 75mm tube (on automobile vsur montage automobile vehicle Mle 1913 or on static platform Mle 1915), this design gave better pointing range, trailing systems versatility, and independance from any issue encountered by its trailer. The weapon was equipped with sophisticated aiming systems designed for the anti-aircraft firing. A modernised version was still in use in the Freech Army in 1940.
Main specifications :
- Weight in firing position : 3050 kg
- Calibre : 75 mm
- Tube length : 36 calibres
- Projectile weight : 7 kg
- Initial velocity : 550 m/s
- Maximum range : 5000 m altitude
- Elevation range : 0 to 70 degrees
- Direction range : 360 degrees
