Granny

Granny: A nickname to one of the first big 15-inch Howitzers sent out to the Western Front; later it was a nickname for other large guns. The original "Granny" or "Grandmother," arrived in April 1915, manned by the Royal Marine Artillery. Its first huge projectiles so surprised the Germans that an aeroplane was at once sent over to locate the monster. A screen of apple tree branches covered with blossoms was so quickly spread over "Grandmother," whose post was by an orchard, that the Germans could not discover the howitzer. The camouflage was so efficient that our own airmen, coming up to meet the enemy lane, also failed to locate "Granny." It was currently reported that "Granny’s" first shell (1,413 lbs weight) fell on a German battalion in column and caused 200 casualties, the rest of the battalion bolting and not being stopped for miles. (See Mother).

References / notes

The above term is listed in our Compendium of the Great War.

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