The Story of a French 75: The 30 Year Search

In this first part, we talk with Matthew Switlik about his French 75 and the 30 years it has taken him to fully assemble the piece. Then we take you into the operation of the piece and the future of the French 75 and its sight.

[@les3449]

Excellent presentation! I say that as a former Coast Guard Gunnersmate and Army armorer in the Cavalry. Thank you for this video, I learned a lot!

[@josephgudobba8125]

We haven't met, but this piece was on display at Greenfield Village last September, and I had the pleasure of being a part of the WW1 US AEF reenactment crew that got to show it off to the public. Thanks so much for your contribution to that event!

[@haugs1718]

Actually some of those 75 were used with a lot of success after 1940 by the Free French in the desert war against the Italians and tha Afrika Korps. Notably during the battle of Bir Hakeim on the southern tip of the Gazala line during the desert war. Not only was it a great artillery piece but also a powerful AT gun. Truly a gun ahead of it's time!

[@legatvsdecimvs3406]

And captured guns were used as parts by the Germans in WW2 to make(rebuild/convert into) almost 4,000 75mm PaK-97/38 Anti-tank and Field Guns. Which improved the characteristics of the original and made it more modern. Since the French 75mm Modele 1897 was used by many European Armies they captured 1,000's in various states of usefulness(in fact I believe this was the German Wehrmacht's most captured artillery piece of a single design that was not a Mortar). Over 500 of the original unmodified design were still in German service in early 1944. Though by the beginning of 1945 98% of all versions had been lost in battle. upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/cd/75_PaK_97-38_Mikkeli_2.JPG

[@haugs1718]

@@legatvsdecimvs3406 That is also true. I believe I was answering to a statement about French service of the gun, which excludes the Germans.

[@Oscuros]

@@haugs1718 Which "statement"? The thing is that the fact it's a French gun is mentioned throughout the piece, but you refer to a specific "statement" and try to invent some sort of fake debating rule that you will only accept replies about French service. Are you some sort of debate cop? Will you put people into debating jail for not staying on topic? Are you some sort of communist, trying to cancel other people and control what they write in reply? No, that's also not a rule in debate, especially if; I. it is related to something you wrote. Did you not mention WWII and the Germans first? Like right here? ""...75 were used with a lot of success after 1940 by the Free French in the desert war against the Italians and tha Afrika Korps."" Yes you did. And the reply was about German use of the guns in WWII and why. So it is what we call in English "directly relevant" and on the same topic you yourself set. II. It adds relevant information, especially regarding use in WWII, which you again mention first, it's the topic you yourself set. They also used proper referencing, which you did not, you are just repeating something you heard once, which is not the same, you then got intimidated and made a defensive remark which is ungracious and rude of you, hence why this is happening now; you are deservedly being pulled up on it. You are not Chairman Mao, you do not get to arbitrate the comments of others based on your precious feels or being offended at being made to feel stupid and uneducated for being stupid and uneducated, so let's get it all out in the open, given that we all have free speech and you are trying to impinge that of others like you think you're Stalin or someone like that. III. You also mention them being used in "French service" as you define the parameters of your own debate in an "anti Tank" role. Any complete moron would know that in French service it was an anti personnel weapons system and fired HE and shrapnel in rapid fire. That's AP, not AT, if you actually listen to the film instead of trying to showboat, talking rubbish about something you heard wrong once, you would know that. It was *never* converted into any type of AT role by the French. You obviously do not understand how shells work, but HE just explodes against armour, that's why AT was developed. The only AT version ever made with the Soixante-Quinze was by the Germans, that was what you were being told, with references, and now I am spelling it out to you, you've been busted as another American making shit up on the internet. You guys do that all the time. It is directly relevant, because he made your erroneous statement about it being ""Not only was it a great artillery piece but also a powerful AT gun. Truly a gun ahead of it's time!"" which is bullshit, it was never used like that in ""French service of the gun, which excludes the Germans"" but you mentioned the Germans first, so you must have Alzheimers, or something like that, but luckily you are not the comment police anyway. The link you were shown clearly states that it was not an effective AT gun in the only conversion to AT, which was indeed the 75mm PaK-97/38 by the Germans only, which excludes the French. You are not Stalin, you do not police other people´s speech, especially when you are making shit up wrong in the first place. HE shells have very little effect on armour, read some books or be always called out on making shit up when you do. ""Some French guns were modernized between the wars, the Canon de 75 Mle 1897/33 mounted the original barrel and recoil mechanism on a new split-trail carriage. In addition to the new carriage the Mle 1897/33 had a new gun shield, pneumatic tires, sprung suspension, and the wheels "toed in" when the trails were spread. The new carriage offered higher angles of traverse and elevation than the earlier box-trail carriage. However, the Mle 1897/33 was not a success and was built in small numbers. Mle 1897/33s captured by the Germans were given the designation 7.5 cm K232(f).[9] A more modest upgrade to the Mle 1897 was the Canon de 75 Mle 1897/38 which was an anti-tank variant that fired a high-explosive anti-tank shell. The original box-trail carriage was retained but the gun had a new gun shield, sprung suspension and pneumatic tires for motor traction.[9] Many were captured by Germany during the Fall of France in 1940, in addition to Polish guns captured in 1939. Over 3,500 were modified with a muzzle brake and mounted on a 5 cm Pak 38 carriage, now named 7.5 cm Pak 97/38 they were used by the Wehrmacht in 1942 as an emergency weapon against the Soviet Union's T-34 and KV tanks. Its relatively low velocity and a lack of modern armor-piercing ammunition limited its effectiveness as an anti-tank weapon. When the German 7.5 cm Pak 40 became available in sufficient numbers, most remaining Pak 97/38 pieces were returned to occupied France to reinforce the Atlantic Wall defenses or were supplied to Axis nations like Romania (PAK 97/38) and Hungary. Non-modified remainders were used as second-line and coastal artillery pieces under the German designation 7.5 cm FK 231(f) and 7,5 cm FK 97(p)."" Note that your wrote: ""Not only was it a great artillery piece but also a powerful AT gun. Truly a gun ahead of it's time!"" ""Its relatively low velocity and a lack of modern armor-piercing ammunition limited its effectiveness as an anti-tank weapon. When the German 7.5 cm Pak 40 became available in sufficient numbers, most remaining Pak 97/38 pieces were returned to occupied France"" en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canon_de_75_mod%C3%A8le_1897#World_War_II_service Bullshit; don't waste people's time on your pathetic flights of fantasy. Don't be churlish and even more deluded when people try to be nice about you being wrong and correct you in diplomatic terms; you're not Donald Trump.

[@0xdeed771]

@@Oscuros 1. He very obviously accidentally responded in the main comment section rather than whatever specific comment his response is addressing. You wrote a multi paragraph response to that. 2. "HE shells have very little effect on armor" spoken like a true Warthunder player. Real life isn't like a video game where the shell kills the tank or doesn't... concussion, spalling, if the shell is large enough, blowing clean through the armor... ISU152's are documented literally blowing the turrets off of Tigers/Panthers with HE shells. 5kg of explosives is nothing to sneer at, especially if the target is some riveted Italian dogshit. 3. You are a soyboy.

[@cbroz7492]

....you are a true COLLECTOR and preserver of history my friend...

[@andrewwmacfadyen6958]

The Dreyfus affair centred around the giving secrets of the recoil system of the French 75mm to Imperial Germany

[@MrPablotee]

What a great video! Mr. Switlik has done incredible service in following his bliss and assembling a working example of this legendary howitzer. I work at the Truman Presidential Library and we have a French 75 and caisson as part of our new museum exhibit which will reopen (hopefully) after our complete renovation in July 2021. Harry Truman, the only combat vet of WWI who became President, commanded a battery of French 75’s in the Meuse-Argonne offense that ended that war. You gave ‘em hell, Harry!

[@readykilowatt8396]

What an awesome video. The french inadvertently produced some of the best symbols of freedom in the world. Right up there with the statue of liberty.

[@mars_man9971]

Love this and the other video with Mr. Switlik.

[@tonyz7216]

Bonjour! Nice video! Greetings from France. 🇫🇷🇺🇸

[@myfavoritemartian1]

Capt. Harry Truman's guys loved them in WW1. He was a battery commander and was issued these French guns, which he said were precision devices much like a Swiss watch. Once he was ordered to spike the guns and pull back rapidly. His guys instead pulled them with horses and mules through rutted muddy roads to save them. (From his book)

[@Nick-rs5if]

I still have a hard time wrapping my head around the fact that France developed a manually operated field artillery piece able to fire rapidly enough to have 7 projectiles in the air before the first one struck the ground, back in the 1890's!

[@lonesomeonrymean9216]

Absolutely fascinating.

[@hgsert2733]

The french invented the smokless powder just before.

[@jeanpierreragequit1726]

indeed, was the french ingineer Paul Vieille who invented the smokeless powder just before the. In the french army, late 19th century, that powder as called "powder B" ( "B" like the 1rst letter of the former famous patriotic general & politician Boulanger ). This powder was a game changer on battlefield allowing major innovations in french army like the LEBEL 1886 riffle & the famous 75 mm howitzer.

[@1stminnsharpshooters341]

thanks for sharing ... *LIKED* and *SUBSCRIBED*

[@dermottmcsorley8641]

Grandfather served on a French 75 crew in WW1 AEF Yankee Division.

[@danm7298]

What did u trade for that sight base? Im so curious!

[@danm7298]

Small world im from Michigan too. Not too far from you. Near Port Huron

[@Ray-tg1sj]

Wasn't this basically the gun we put on the m3 half-track tank destroyers in early ww2?

[@drissel878]

Thank you

[@Ray-tg1sj]

Incredible to me how similar the recoil system is on this gun to the m777a2 I gunned in 2010

[@afx935]

The 75 was the forefather of nearly all modern recuperators. It was very hi-tech for its time, and each unit was built entirely by hand. No factories.

[@danemon8423]

every artillery in the world used that system after this canon, no matter if it's heavy or light aritllery

[@HarborLockRoad]

My girl was bringing her cousin home in connecticut, and i saw one of these in front of a VFW, obviously from ww1...i instantly knew what it was, as ive built several models of these....there was a very nice plastic kit years ago....idk if its still made.

[@michaelsnodgrass1808]

Wondering if there is any quality drawings of the 75 for a 1/4 scale model in resin or plastic?

[@tandemcompound2]

The Boys of Battery D. inneresting vid. thanks. learned lots.

[@rayrocha4189]

Why would this not be considered an antique according to NFA? And exempt from the NFA requirements? According the NFA, if it is or is based on a design before 1898 It is exempt. It can’t fire modern available ammunition either but I don’t think this ammunition is used anymore in modern weaponry.

[@quechvermont1279]

This was the first gun that could lay waste to a 300'x300' patch of ground in about 5 minutes

[@jimfonzie2887]

Dear sir, next step, the famous 155mm GPF "Filloux" (1916), the father of your famous Long Tom ;)

[@SVASH-hz5ji]

I've always wondered, what is the purpose of that triangle stuff just under the Muzzle?

[@afx935]

They are return rollers. They are to assist in stopping the recoil, and whip of the gun.

[@SVASH-hz5ji]

@@afx935 Thanks

[@dougarchbold2370]

I have French 75 serial number 9 built in 1896. Do you have any parts you would consider selling? Doug

[@CopperRangeProductions]

Doug you can contact Matt Switlik regarding purchasing parts assuming he has any for sale. We are still working on the sight base construction also if you are looking for the sight base. his email is [e-mail]

[@afx935]

Doug, contact Matt as posted below or me at [e-mail]. We specialize in restoring the guns parts etc. Which parts do you need? Also, is this the gun out of California?

[@dougarchbold2370]

@@afx935 hi Michael, this gun is in California and was just discovered in a barn in Placerville. I also acquired a 1917 om a Willys Overland carriage. Came wit 2 ,1902 caissons. One horse and 1 mechanically drawn. The # 9 gun has an original sight on it dated 1915. Doug 530 333 3399

[@dougarchbold2370]

I'll send you a more detailed email in the morning. Doug

[@Ray-tg1sj]

@@dougarchbold2370 I would edit your post to remove the number before some internet weirdo sees it.

[@gauloiscalifornien]

Il y a même un épisode des brigades du tigre a ce sujet.

[@richardwyse7817]

boom boomb!

[@gerry343]

9:00 Why does the gun recoil so much on its wheels?

[@afx935]

The gravel was just laid the week before and was very loose. The field was soft. Also this was only the second time in perhaps 80 or so years that the gun had been fired, and the recoil system was still quite stiff. In 2021 it shot much smoother without the heavy recoil.

[@southronjr1570]

That's one thing that infuriates me, you shouldn't have to beg permission from the governemnt to own that kind of gun much less beg permission from the government to take a trip with it. The term "arms" doesn't just apply to hand held guns. It absolutely flies against the spirit, and words of the Conatitution.

[@nenad-seguljev]

do you know "serbian test" for artillery

[@guillermomiguel5744]

¿ DONDE ESTÁ LA TRADUCCiO'N AL CASTELLANO??

[@Ivartshiva]

Since childhood I have had a recurring vision of this gun and a wall of dirt collapsing on me. I think I died. It must have been WWI. I've sought this gun out all over, including the French Army museum in Paris

[@vicostea]

Here you can see in more detail how the gun works. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bKW6ZXqIjM2om5Y

[@RebelSonBand]

Is this the cannon the Germans put on a pak 37 carriage and gave it a Sweiss muzzle break ?

[@guaporeturns9472]

At 9:04 did dude plug his ears after gun fired?😂

[@waterfox3626]

Pas mal un c'est français

[@trentonjennings9105]

At least twice he said horse drawn carriage instead of the proper (French even) term, caisson.

[@benquinneyiii7941]

Bubble

[@benquinneyiii7941]

QF

[@benquinneyiii7941]

The carrots are cooked

[@guillermomiguel5744]

DEBERíA AVER TRADUCCiO'N AL CASTELLANO CON LO KUIE ESTA EXPLiCANDO ESTE CABALLERO SERíA MUSiSiMO MEJOR EL ViDiO!!! ES POR ESO KUIE Mi PULGAR VA' A'SiA BAJO'!!!!

[@peterscotney1]

I wouldn't have any qualms using this gun in a modern conflict against a third world country with no airforce !

[@viejomarino]

Pure envy, in my country is illegal to have any bigger than a .22

[@guillermomiguel5744]

NO.kuieda otra.Razón kuie pulgar Abajo👎👎👎

[@pavelavietor1]

Hello you have to be a WHITEAMERIENGLISH from France with a canon, if you actually think the French sold canons to AMERICA, if you feel that I am erroneous please prove me so if you can. Saludos to the French people for creating the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

[@samarkand1585]

What the fuck

[@pavelavietor1]

@@samarkand1585 hello what the fuck are you complaining about. Thanks for you elegant comments. Are you going to prove me erroneous or just going to found you self wanting, hahaha jajaja, yes you can not prove me erroneous, to funny. Saludos WTF

[@samarkand1585]

@@pavelavietor1 ...what. the fuck. Midlife crisis isn't going easy on you I see

[@pavelavietor1]

@@samarkand1585 hello , yes, I hope I am at my midlife , so I can live to see WTF @samarkand, prove me erroneous, that no French cannon was sold to AMERICA, thanks for you WTF crazy @samarkand elegant comments, hahaha jajaja to funny.

[@sergevandyck]

Le corp expéditionnaire US à été en grande partie avec du matériel français entre 1917/18

[@stevepringle2295]

Boring ramblings

[@user-gi8kz6mo8b]

поделитесь пушками ато в сво не хватает