Since aircraft of the period were not yet capable of carrying large diameter bombs the burden of delivering heavy firepower fell on the artillery.

Rail transport proved to be the most practical solution because the problems of heavy weight, lack of mobility and reduced setup time were addressed.

[1] With the success of the Obusier de 400 Modèle 1915/1916 in mind, the French Army requested more of these guns for service.

The ties and girders supported the weight of the carriage and absorbed the gun's recoil, the track did not have to be reinforced.

The Batignolles mounts also employed car-traverse which allowed for limited traverse by shifting the carriage on its bogies.

When the United States entered the First World War a license to produce Berceau style rail mounts was negotiated with Batignolles and the carriage used by the 12-inch M1895 railway gun was similar.

Six were deployed to batteries of the 371° Regiment of the ALVF (Artillery lourde sur voie ferrée) to reinforce the Maginot Line defenses.

[5] After the Fall of France the Germans used eight under the designation 37 cm Haubitze (Eisenbahn) 711(f) and used them throughout the second world war.