TOPIC:

I was reading about the armoured trains in the Great War in the latest DNW catalogue and wondered how these were influenced by the trains in the Boer War?

Three Heavy Armoured Trains were built in Antwerp in September and October 1914, mounted with British naval guns, and placed under the overall command of Commander A. S. Littlejohns, R.N., with Lieutenant-Commander P. H. Riddler, R.N., as his second-in-command. Known from 9th November as H.M. Armoured Trains Jellicoe (Cdr. Littlejohns) with three 4.7-inch guns, H.M.A.T. Deguise (Belgian Captain Servais) with three 4.7-inch guns, and H.M.A.T. Churchill (Lt.-Cdr. Riddler) with two 6-inch guns, these three armoured trains fought around Antwerp until 7th October, then retreated via Ghent, in support of General Rawlinson's advance to Ypres. H.M.A.T. Churchill became operational at Oostende after the retreat from Antwerp and in December went into action in the area around Oostkerke against German batteries to the south of Dixmude. On 18 December Lt.-Cdr. Riddler was wounded by a shell. From the end of December 1914 to March 1915, the three trains were continuously in action, sometimes in support of an assault (Jellicoe at la Bassée on 10 January), but in particular in counter-battery or bombardment missions in action to neutralise trench lines (Jellicoe at Beuvry 20-24 January, Churchill at Oosterkerke on 28-29 January, and against an observation post at Ennetieres on 11 February, Déguise at Beuvry firing on a rail junction on the 15th, among other targets, and Churchill against a battery at Fleur d’Ecosse on 3 March). The guns of the trains were extremely effective, notably against troop concentrations. On 18 February, H.M.A.T. Déguise fired seven shells at German troops to the South-West of la Bassée. These actions brought the trains within range of the German artillery. The Germans scored hits, but the armour protection and swift manoeuvring of the trains normally protected the crews, except on 25 January when Jellicoe was hit, wounding two men and killing the Belgian engine driver. Between 10 and 13 March, the three trains supported the action at Neuve Chapell. On that occasion, Field Marshal Sir John French paid a surprise visit to H.M.A.T. Churchill, which was the command train for Commander Littlejohns. Towards the end of March 1915, the three trains were withdrawn from service.

1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut. Commdr. P. H. Riddler. R.N. Armd. Trains.);
British War and Victory Medals (Commr. P. H. Riddler. R.N.)

Only 77 1914 Stars issued to R.N. Armoured Trains.




Pictures courtesy of DNW

In my opinion, it was simply too little and far too late, the business at Antwerp was nothing short of a catastrophe.

David
Some time ago, I ran across a book being remaindered; "Engines of War - how wars were won and lost on the railways" by Christian Wolmar (ISBN 978 1 84887 172 4) printed 2010. Wolmar has an interesting section in Chapter 5 which covers generally the use of Armoured Trains in South Africa. I think it is a good read. That author also comments that the post ABW British army did consider that Armoured Trains might act offensively on a European battlefield or as flank protection under some circumstances. He points out that Armoured Trains played little role on the Western Front in WW1 - but they did prove critical to the Bolsheviks in the Russian Civil War. Which, I must admit, is a bit far removed from the ABW.
I have never had the opportunity of adding an Armoured Train QSA or pair to the collection.
Best regards
IL.

I particularly like the usual large and very bold naming on the 1914 Star for RN and RNVR recipients, very pleasing, it is a shame it was not continued upon the 1914-15 Star.

djb wrote: I was reading about the armoured trains in the Great War in the latest DNW catalogue and wondered how these were influenced by the trains in the Boer War?

Three Heavy Armoured Trains were built in Antwerp in September and October 1914, mounted with British naval guns, and placed under the overall command of Commander A. S. Littlejohns, R.N., with Lieutenant-Commander P. H. Riddler, R.N., as his second-in-command. Known from 9th November as H.M. Armoured Trains Jellicoe (Cdr. Littlejohns) with three 4.7-inch guns, H.M.A.T. Deguise (Belgian Captain Servais) with three 4.7-inch guns, and H.M.A.T. Churchill (Lt.-Cdr. Riddler) with two 6-inch guns, these three armoured trains fought around Antwerp until 7th October, then retreated via Ghent, in support of General Rawlinson's advance to Ypres. H.M.A.T. Churchill became operational at Oostende after the retreat from Antwerp and in December went into action in the area around Oostkerke against German batteries to the south of Dixmude. On 18 December Lt.-Cdr. Riddler was wounded by a shell. From the end of December 1914 to March 1915, the three trains were continuously in action, sometimes in support of an assault (Jellicoe at la Bassée on 10 January), but in particular in counter-battery or bombardment missions in action to neutralise trench lines (Jellicoe at Beuvry 20-24 January, Churchill at Oosterkerke on 28-29 January, and against an observation post at Ennetieres on 11 February, Déguise at Beuvry firing on a rail junction on the 15th, among other targets, and Churchill against a battery at Fleur d’Ecosse on 3 March). The guns of the trains were extremely effective, notably against troop concentrations. On 18 February, H.M.A.T. Déguise fired seven shells at German troops to the South-West of la Bassée. These actions brought the trains within range of the German artillery. The Germans scored hits, but the armour protection and swift manoeuvring of the trains normally protected the crews, except on 25 January when Jellicoe was hit, wounding two men and killing the Belgian engine driver. Between 10 and 13 March, the three trains supported the action at Neuve Chapell. On that occasion, Field Marshal Sir John French paid a surprise visit to H.M.A.T. Churchill, which was the command train for Commander Littlejohns. Towards the end of March 1915, the three trains were withdrawn from service.

1914 Star, with clasp (Lieut. Commdr. P. H. Riddler. R.N. Armd. Trains.);
British War and Victory Medals (Commr. P. H. Riddler. R.N.)

Only 77 1914 Stars issued to R.N. Armoured Trains.

Pictures courtesy of DNW