British Medium Battery, RA (BBX13) B.L. 5.5 inch Gun Mk 3 In 1937 work got underway to replace the old 60 pounder guns and 6 inch howitzers with a new modern medium artillery piece. Initial the BL 4.5-inch gun was produced, but though it had good range its shells lacked explosive power so a larger calibre gun was therefore desired.

The result of this exercise became the B.L. 5.5-inch Gun Mk 3. The first units were equipped with the new gun in May 1942, and the first actions were in the Western Desert Campaign. Range was initially limited with 100 pound shell until a new lighter 80 pound shell was introduced to increase the range and eventually replaced the heavier round.

In use the 5.5 inch Gun the was towed by the AEC Matador artillery tractor, a robust 4x4 truck. British artillery was designated 'field' 'medium' or 'heavy'. The term 'field' included guns up to and including the 4.5 inch howitzer, while medium covered those over 4.5 inches up to and including the 6 inch howitzer. Guns of 6 inch calibre or above were 'heavy'. Calibre: 5.5 inches (140 mm) Weight: 5850 kg (5 3/4 tons approx.) Shell weight: 36.3 kg (80 lbs) high explosive. Rate of fire: 3 rpm

Muzzle velocity: 510 metres/second (1673 f/s) with Charge 4 Number of Different Charges: 4 Maximum range: 16,400 metres (17935 yards) Elevation: 45° Traverse: 30° right and left In Flames Of War The new Medium Battery, Royal Artillery from Monty’s Meatgrinder allows Canadian and British forces to field some really big guns.

These batteries are organised the same as the Field Batteries, but are instead armed with the 5.5” gun towed by the Matador tractor. At the moment you can field them supporting Rifle Companies of the British 3rd Division and the 3rd Canadian Division from Monty's Meatgrinder , but in the future we’ll have options on the website for fielding them with other British forces.  They can only be added as support after you have already selected a Field Battery, Royal Artillery or Field Battery (SP), Royal Artillery and count as one of your two Field Batteries, Royal Artillery if selected. They use all the usual British Special rules (pages 174 and 175 Flames Of War), but can’t be used in Ambush.

The BL 5.5” gun packs a lot of punch. It has a direct fire Range of 32”/80cm, ROF 1, Anti-tank 13 and Firepower 1+. It also a Bunker buster. Being a large heavy gun it is Immobile and must be moved by its artillery tractor the Matador. Firing bombardments it has a Range of 88”/220cm, Anti-tank 5 and Firepower 2+. Using the Medium Battery, Royal Artillery with other forces... Designed by Evan Crew designed by Evan and Seth Painted by Jeremy