'When the thaw set in on the Somme, our artillery ploughs its way through mud and water to Gommecourt', 1916

Stereoscopic photograph, World War One, Western Front (1914-1918), 1916.

During the Battle of the Somme (1916) the British fired over 15 million shells. Of those, some 10 million were fired by 18-pounders. With an experienced crew and in good conditions, the 18-pounder could fire at a remarkable 30 rounds a minute.

One of 100 stereoscopic photographs.