​Heavy Artillery Batteries of the Indian/British Army in 1895 

By Hans Christian Wolter, Denmark. Knight of the Dannebrog. Ex-President of Danish Military Historical Society for 25 years and honorary member

These photos and their descriptions are linked to the article in the 1st edition of the Bulletin 2024. Unfortunately there was insufficient space within The Bulletin to include all the photos for this excellent article. All the photos were taken by Hans Christian Wolter

The very iconic picture from Navy & Army Illustrated, Vol. II, London 1896. A Royal Artillery gun team for drill in front of the two elephants to draw the gun. In the distance and behind the team appear the elephant stables.

Mahouts are taking a couple of elephants for an early morning ride.

With his bare feet the mahout manages to guide and handle the female elephant, but his sharp metal hook - the ankusha - is available when needed.

The muzzle-loading 40-pounder gun unlimbered. The barrel is mounted in front firing position. During transport the barrel was secured with the couple of semicircular fittings at rear.

The 40-pounder gun with parts of the elevation elements visible.

The 6.3-inch howitzer. In front are placed additional barrels for both pieces of ordnance employed.

The muzzle-loading 40-pounder gun with limber attached. The pairs of wheels are different due to the heavy barrels for gun as well as for howitzer.

The 6.3-inch howitzer with limber attached. The screw head for elevation of the barrel is visible between wheel and barrel.

A pair of limbers serving both pieces of ordnance. The position of the left one illustrates how the ammunition boxes are also used as a pair of seats for Royal Artillery personnel.

A limber revealing Indian dirt, mud, use, and lubricating oil.

Eight artillerists from Royal Artillery personnel of the Garrison Companies were required per piece of ordnance.

15th Bengal Infantry (Ludhiana Sikhs). Havildar and Sepoy.

9th (Queens Royal) Lancers. Sergeant and Lancer. 1st Bt. East Kent Regiment. Corporal and Private.

1st Bengal Irregular Cavalry (Skinner´s Horse). Sowars.

The 1st Punjab Heavy Battery of Heavy Artillery, 1st Section consisting of three muzzle-loading 40-pounder guns and six elephants with their mahouts.

A closer view focusing on guns, limbers, back line elephants, and mahouts.

The 1st Punjab Heavy Battery of Artillery, 2nd Section consisting of one muzzle-loading 40-pounder gun, two 6.3-inch howitzers and back line elephants with their mahouts.

Elephant Battery in Action at Dansi Fortress, District Howrah, West Bengal. The oxen in front show how the battery is enabled to shift from elephant to oxen draft and vice versa.

The Order of the Elephant is the oldest and the finest Danish royal order of chivalry. Sir Bernard L. Montgomery (1945) and Sir Winston S. Churchill (1950) were among the Knights.

The display cabinet in daylight containing 24 female elephants and pieces of ordnance for two Indian Heavy Artillery Batteries.

From the top shelf of the display cabinet with LED strips activated in warm white colour.

From the second shelf of the display cabinet with LED strips activated in warm white color.

Inside the display cabinet: India 1895 Bengal Heavy Battery of Artillery, part of the battery’s 1st section with six elephants and their mahouts.