Jean-Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval

Jean-Baptiste Vaquette de Gribeauval (September 15th 1715 - May 9th 1789 with Paris) is an officer and engineer French.

Biography

Youth and first weapons

It is born with Amiens. His/her father Jean Vaquette, lord of Gribeauval, are in the magistrature. It engages in the royal Artillerie in 1732. Promoted officer in 1735, it will share its time between its military duties and the scientific studies. In 1752, it is named captain of a company of minors.

Years abroad

It will be then sent on mission in Prussia, then in 1757, become lieutenant-colonel, it is detached near the Austrian army the day before the Guerre Seven Year old. It is distinguished with the seat from Glatz and in defense from Schweidnitz. Captive fact by the Prussians, it will be exchanged and will turn over in Austria where it is decorated with the order of Marie-Therese by the empress.

Return in France

Returned to France, it is promoted brigadier In 1764, it is named inspector of artillery. In 1764, he becomes general lieutenant and commander of the Ordre of Saint-Louis. Since 1765, it takes part in the modernization of the body of the mines and artillery.

Years of disgrace

Fallen in disgrace in 1774, it is folded up on its grounds, in Picardy, in the Sum, with Bovelles (12 km in the South-west of Amiens) where it is made build its castle.

Reforms of artillery

He is recalled in 1776 by the Minister for the War, Saint-Germain, which requires of him to continue the work of restoration undertaken. The same year, it is made Grand Cross about Saint-Louis.

Impressed by the reforms operated in Prussian and Austrian artillery, it attempts to rationalize artillery and to make it at the same time more resistant and more mobile on the battle field. With his colleague Vallière it standardizes and decreases the number of the gauges of guns. It will publish its Table of constructions of the principal implements of artillery… of Mr. de Gribeauval , in 1776.

One owes him the famous gun Gribeauval , which will give to French artillery a manifest superiority on that of the other European armies under the Revolution, in particular at the time of the Bataille of Valmy (1792) gained over Prussia.

Memorandum

A street of Paris (VIIe district) bears its name since 1847.

Gribeauval artillery

This artillery with bronze tube includes/understands parts drawing from the balls of 4,8 and 12 pounds (either approximately 2,4 and 6 kg). The practical range is approximately 600 m with grapeshot and of 800 m for the balls. By rebound those could kill to 2000 Mr. This gun made it possible to draw two blows at the minute.

The howitzer is of a gauge of 220 mm (8 inches) which sends up to 1200 m a ball of 14 kg out of hollow pig iron filled up of powder in which a rocket provided with two wicks is screwed which ignite as of the starting blow.

It is equipped with a Visée to screw and axial rise.

In theory, for the service of a part of 12, one needed two gunners, six being useful principal, plus seven being used as infantry if need be.

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