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Black Maria: An enemy shell of large calibre, from its dense black smoke on bursting. Possibly the name was suggested by the big black London Police Van. The Germans, curiously, had a similar term, "Schwarze Maria," for British heavy shells. [1]

References / notes

  1. Edward Fraser and John Gibbons (1925). Soldier and Sailor Words and Phrases. Routledge, London p.24.
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