of Howitzers including those Date.

actually issued.

under proof.
July 24, 1917 35 48 October 1, 1917 92 167 December 10, 1917 377 422 The slow rate of delivery, in spite of constant pressure, which is shown by these figures gives some idea of the time required to bring new devices into existence.
PROJECTILE FOR USE AGAINST SUBMARINES In January, 1917, the Director of Naval Ordnance was requested by the Anti-Submarine Division of the Naval Staff to carry out trials against a target representing the hull of a German submarine, so far as the details were known to us, to ascertain _the most suitable type of projectile_ amongst those then in existence for the attack of submarines by guns of 4.7-inch calibre and below.
The results were published to the Fleet in March, 1917.

They afforded some useful knowledge and demonstrated the ineffectiveness of some of the shells and fuses commonly in use against submarines from 12-pounder guns, the weapon with which so many of our patrol craft were armed.

The target at which the shell was fired did not, however, fully represent a German submarine under the conditions of service.