Antitank Encyclopedia

The 10.5 cm leFH 18 (leichte Feldhaubitze, or "light field howitzer" 4.13 in) was a German standard in World War II in service from 1935 and used by all divisions and artillery battalions. 11,848 were produced and 10,265 of the modernized leFH 18/40 variant. It was the successor of the 10.5 cm leFH 16 and a better range and slightl increased rate of fire, better optics, and modern split trail gun carriage more stability and traverse, but this made it too heavy for horse-drawn artillery battalions. Because of the shortae of vehicles of the eastern front it was often bogged down in mud and snow.

The leFH 18 was developed as the leFH 18M and leFH 18/40 and in 1942 existed in self-propelled versions, one the Panzer II, H35, Char B1 or 37L chassis. It was also well distributed withing the axis nations: Bumgaria, Romania, Hungary, Spain, Finland, Slovakia used it. The first model was also exported to China, and some were found in the North Korean army. Sweden purchased the licence, Potugal obtained surplus after the war, deployed in Africa until the 1970s. It was also used by Norway post-war. It was generally towed by the Sd.Kfz.6 or Sd.Kfz.11 prime movers when available.

Author's rendition of the sFH 18/40 10.5 cm Howitzer

⚙ Specifications 10.5 cm sFH 18 L/29.5
Dimensions	6.10 x 1.97 x 1.88 m total, Barrel 2.941 m (9 ft 8 in), 28 calibers
Weight	Travel 3,490 kg, Combat 1,985 kg, split trail
Crew	6
Recoil	hydro-pneumatic
Sight	Model 34 Sighting Mechanism
breech	horizontal sliding-block
Elevation/traverse	-5° to +42°; 56°
Rate of fire/Muzzle velocity	6-8 rpm; 470 m/s (1,500 ft/s)
Range	10,675 m (11,674 yd)
Shell	14.81 kg cased separate-loading (6 charges) 105 x 155mm R 1.845 kg (4.07 lb) TNT

The 17 cm K 18 was a 172.5 mm (6.79 in) towed gun, 50 calibres. The 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette shared the same box trail carriage as the 21 cm Mörser 18, allowing transport in one piece on short distances with the right tractor, but for longer distances the barrel was carried separately. Using ramps and winches installing its took several hours. And while on the field a 360-degree traverse can still be performed by two men. But this was a heavy artillery piece only suitable to be installed in a day for shelling at long distances enemy fortifications. With the right reconnaissance it could also rain death and destruction over parked tanks...

Krupp designed the gun from waffenamt specifications in 1939 and introduced an innovative Dual-recoil mechanism, also shared by the 21 cm Mörser 18. Normal recoil forces used a conventional recoil mechanism close to the barrel but there was also the carriage sliding along rails. It absorbed all recoil energy while keeping the mount very stable when firing, and thus, making it very accurate.

Author's rendition of the 17 cm Kanone 18

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The 17 cm K 18 in MrsLaf was supplied with separate ammunitions, in three types:
-KGr 39 AZ 35K or Dopp Z S/90K HE round (68 kg/150 lb) for a 28 km (17 mi) range
-KGr 38 Hb Hbgr Z 35K or Dopp Z S/90K (62.8 kg/138 lb) for 29.6 km (18.4 mi), with ballistic cap.
-Pzgr 43 Bd Z f 17cm Pzgr (71 kg/157 lb) AP shell (velocity 830 m/s) to defeat 255 mm (10.0 in) of armour at 30°.
There were four types of charges to go with these, and reach 29.6 km (18.4 mi) with "charge 4". The latter could be used at the last extremity against tanks. No Soviet armour was immune to it at 1,000m. It was used notably for defensive purposes in 1945 during the Zeelowe heights battle. Very costly only 338 were made, which needed the largest half track for towing them in the east, the Sd.Kfz.9 chiefly. It was used on all front, employed at corps and army echelons for long-range counter-battery support or as the 21 cm Mörser 18. None saw service outside Germany.

⚙ Specifications 17 cm Kanone 18
Dimensions	Bore 8.625 m (28 ft 3.6 in) L/50
Mass	Transport 23.375t, action 17.520t
Crew	10
Load/recoil	Horizontal-block Breech, Dual-recoil hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	Elevation +50°, traverse 16° wheels, 360° platform
Rate of fire	3 rpm
Muzzle velocity	925 m/s (3,030 ft/s)
Range	29.6 km (18.4 mi)
Shell	172.5 mm (6.79 in) separate-loading HE 62.8 kg (138 lb)
Carriage/sights	Box trail

The Mörser 18 was designed to replace the WWI 21 cm Mörser 16. Although not significantly different, its carriage was improved across the board. It notably featured the Krupp innovative dual-recoil system. The barrel also now retracted naturally in its cradle while the top carriage retracted across the body in turn for maximum compacity and damped out further the recoil. It made for a very steady firing platform. The carriage was resued thus for the 17 cm Kanone 18 (Mörserlafette) and 15 cm Schnelladekanone C/28.

Author's rendition of the 21 cm Morser 18
The Mrs 18 was carried in two parts with barrel slid on to a separate trailer. The carriage carried the integral firing platform, lowered to the ground when preparing the terrain whith its wheels were then cranked up off. There was a rear castor-wheel jack adjusting also the the rear spade for extra traverse beyond 16° either side. Although the design proces started in 1933, production only started by 1939 and slowly. Production stopped in 1942 for the 17 cm Kanone 18 in Mörserlafette which had twice its range, but resumed in 1943 and up to 1945. They were also planned to be used in the projected Geschützwagen Tiger massive self-propelled guns. A prototype tested by 1945 at Kummersdorf when captured by US troops.

⚙ Specifications 21 cm Morser 18 (210 mm/8.30 in)
Dimensions	6.51 m (21 ft 4 in) L/30
Mass	16,700 kg (36,817 lbs)
Crew	6+
Load/recoil	Horizontal sliding-block, Dual-recoil hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	-6° to +70°; 16° wheels/360° platform
Rate of fire	1 rpm
Muzzle velocity	550–565 m/s (1,800–1,850 ft/s)
Range	16,725 m (18,291 yd) effective
Shell	113 kg (249 lb) (HE) separate loading case ammo
Carriage/sights	Box trail, unknown

Called the 7.5 cm leichtes Infanteriegeschütz 18, this short barrel 3.0 in howitzer was designed for infantry support. It was to be easy to deploy to deal with hardened objectives on the front line. Development started in 1927 by Rheinmetall and the crew was protected by an armoured shield. Its mountain gun variant was called 7.5 cm le.GebIG 18 and even lighter. It could be broken down into six to ten packs up to 74.9 kg to be carried by an infantry platoon, two assigned to each mountain battalion. Six first 7.5 cm le.IG 18F were manufactured in 1939 as airborne guns, split into four 140 kg loads with smaller wheels and no shield. Last variant was the infantry support gun 7.5 cm Infanteriegeschütz L/13 to replace the le.IG 18 and broken into four to six loads. But since it did not improve much, production was not greenlighted. In all, c12,000 of the le.IG 18 were manufactured by Rheinmetall between 1932 and 1945. It could also fire a shaped-charge antitank round as an option, not super effective due to the low velocity.

Author's rendition of the LeIG-18

⚙ Specifications 7,5 cm LeIG-18 Howitzer
Dimensions
Mass	1,560 kg (3,439 lb) Combat: 400 kg (882 lb)
Crew	5
Load/recoil	Top break Breech, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	-10° to 73°; 12°
Rate of fire	8-12 rpm
Muzzle velocity	210 m/s (690 ft/s)
Range	3,550 m (3,880 yd)
Shell	75 x 89mm R Fixed QF, 6 kg (13 lb 4 oz)
Carriage/sights	Box trail

The 76-mm divisional gun M1942 (ZiS-3) was made at Artillery Factory No.92, and it was designed by V. G. Grabin at the end of 1940, combining the light carriage from the 57 mm ZiS-2 anti-tank gun and the 76.2 mm barrel F-22USV previous divisional field gun. They added a muzzle brake to reduce recoil it was cheaper, using casting, stamping and welding. It replaced the light 45 mm anti-tank guns and 76.2 mm divisional field guns and mass production started in December 1941. It went through an official five-day acceptance trial in February 1942 and entered service as the divisional field gun model 1942. More than 103,000 were made until 1945 so it became the most numerous Soviet field of WW2.

Author's rendition of the ZIS-3 gun It was replaced by the 85 mm D-44 divisional field gun. A few were captured by the Finns, some by the Romanians. The latter in 1943 made a local copy and was chosen for production as the 75 mm Reșița M1943, with 375 made, and installed on the Mareșal tank destroyer while another was used on captured T-70 light tank as the TACAM R-2 tank destroyer. The KSP-76 was a light assault car mounting which used it, but stayed at prototype stage. In direct fire, antitank role, it fired an APHE BR-350A, AP (solid) BR-350SP and Composite Armour-piercing projectiles BR-350P, BR-350N as well as the HEAT BK-354 (potwar) and BP-350M in 1944.

⚙ Specifications ZIS-3 field Gun
Dimensions	3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) x 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in)x 1.37 m (4 ft 6 in)
Mass	1,116 kg, travel 2,150 kg
Crew	7
Load/recoil	Semi-automatic vertical sliding-wedge, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−5° to +37°, 54°
Rate of fire	25 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity
Range	13.29 km (8.25 mi)
Shell	Fixed QF 76.2 × 385 mm. R 76.2 mm (3 in)
Carriage/sights	Split trail

The Nebelwerfer ('fog launcher') were developed initially for the Nebeltruppen (smoke/chemical batallions) with wheeled mortars 10 cm Nebelwerfer 35/40 fielded in 1936-41, then replaced by a variety of rocket launchers from 15 to 32 centimetres (5.9 to 12.6 in) produced until 1945. They were used on all fronts apart the Balkans. The rockets offered more payload flexibility. The 15 cm Nebelwerfer 41 (6,000 made) arrived right after the Campaign of France by late 1940. They used a 3.7 cm PaK 36 chassis and had a range of 6,900 metres (7,500 yd). Next came the 28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 used during Operation Barbarossa. They carried a HE or incendiary warhead up to 2,200 metres (2,400 yd), over 1,000 made, with various cased ramps in wood or metal, sometimes adapted to vehicles, like the "Stuka zum Fuss", a variant of the Sd.Kfz.251 or captured French tanks and tankettes. Next came the 21 cm Nebelwerfer 42 with larger Werfer-Granate 21 rockets and also used by the Luftwaffe. Then the 30 cm Nebelwerfer 42 appeared to replace the 28/32 cm Nebelwerfer 41 in 1943, with 700 made, and a longer range.

Nebelwerfer 28 cm


Nebelwerfer 21 cm


Nebelwerfer 15 cm

The 8 cm Raketen-Vielfachwerfer was a copy of the Russian Katyucha, and they were used by the Sd.Kfz. 4 "Maultier" and French SOMUA MCG half-track. Indeed the Panzerwerfer reached greater mobility in a ten-tube 15 cm (5.9 in) launcher configuration mounted on a lightly armored Sd.Kfz. 4 "Maultier" half-track, with 300 built and later replaced by the 15 cm Panzerwerfer 42 auf Schwerer Wehrmachtschlepper (fewer than 100 completed until 1945). In any case, most had HE warheads and were more efficient against infantry formations in open field rather than allied tanks formations, although the case happened multiple time. The blast was sufficient to immibilize a tank in case of a lucky near-hit, or direct hit on the engine compartment.

⚙ Specifications Nevelwerfer 21 cm (8.3 in)
Dimensions	3.6 x 1.6 x 1.5m (11 ft 10 in x 5 ft 3 in x 4 ft 11 in)
Mass	550 kg (1,210 lb)/1,100 kg (2,400 lb) FL
Crew	4
Elevation/traverse	-5° to +45°, 24°
Warhead	10.17[6] kg (22.4 lb)
Muzzle velocity	320 m/s (1,000 ft/s)
Range	7,850 m (8,580 yd)
Shell	1.25 m (4 ft 1 in) 109.55 kg (241.5 lb) HE
Carriage/sights	split-trail, 5 barrel mount
Production	2626, Donauwörth Machine Factory

The 152 mm howitzer-gun M1937 (ML-20) was a Soviet heavy gun-howitzer developed by the no 172 plant design team, F. F. Petrov. It was a completely modernized variant of the 152-mm gun M1910/34 based on the 152-mm siege gun M1910, a pre-WW1 Schneider design. The ML20 was produced from 1937 to 1946. It was deployed at corps/army level in the Soviet Army. Many were captured by the Wehrmacht and Finnish Army as well. The early cold war saw a continuous use, notably in Korea, Indochina, Vietnam notably of the ML-20, up to the 1970s.

Author's rendition of the 152mm ML20 Howitzer

The ML-20 was of course not an anti-tank weapon, although it could be lowered enough for direct fire, and the impact of its HE shell was massive concussion for any tank, medium or heavy in the German arsenal. Raining shells and direct hits were also of course devastating. The connection with tanks goes through its main tractor until it changed, the Komintern, based on the T14/T24 medium tanks chassis. This gun was also mounted in the Soviet assault guns/tank destroyers SU-152 and ISU-152.


SU-152 "beast killer"

⚙ Specifications ML20 Gun-Howitzer
Lenght	8.18 m (26 ft 10 in) oa; barrel 4.24 m (13 ft 11 in) L/27.9
width	2.35 m (7 ft 9 in)
height	2.27 m (7 ft 5 in)
Mass	combat 7,270 kg (16,027 lb, travel 7,930 kg (17,482 lb)
Crew	6-8
Load/recoil	Interrupted screw, hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−2° to 65°, 58°
Rate of fire	3-4 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	655 m/s (2,150 ft/s)
Range	17.23 km (10.7 mi)
Shell	152 x 547 mm R 152.4 mm (6 in)
Carriage/sights	standard scope, split trail

The M119 howitzer is a lightweight 105 mm howitzer developed for the United States Army, licensed version of the British L119 light gun. A small ordnance, it is however too heavy to be assimilated to a mountain gun. It is generally towed by the M1097 or M1152 HMMWV (Hummer) or airlifted by helicopter, airdropped by parachute, for extra tactical mobility. It was originally the British L118 using cased separate loading ammunition, in service in 1976 and assigned to parachute and commando field artillery regiments, used notably in the Falklands. The licence agreement was reached in 1987 and the L119 was reconfigured to NATO-standard 105 mm semi-fixed ammunition, produced by Joint Manufacturing Technology Center of Rock Island Arsenal to replace the 1964 M102 howitzer.

Author's rendition of the M119

In what we are concerned, whatever the variant, M119, M119A1, M119A2, M119A3 (last production run until 2013), lacks any proper anti-tank ammunition. These shells are classed by their propelling charge, M67, M176, M200, M219 and M350. The M67 range had an intereting variant though for antitank purposes, the M916 (DPICM) – Dual-Purpose Improved Conventional Munition (now withdrawn from service) which range was 11.5 km (7.1 mi). Its dual purpose came from it's "cargo" use, combining both shaped charges for anti-armor role, and fragmentation for antipersonnel role in one round. The type is now banned by a convention on cluster ammunitions.

⚙ Specifications 105mm M119 Howitzer
Dimensions	10 ft 6 in (3.20 m) L/30.48 x 5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Mass	5,110 lb (2,320 kg)
Crew	5 min, 7 max
Elevation/traverse	-5.625° +69.975°/5.625°
Rate of fire	8 rpm for 3 minutes
Muzzle velocity	Round dependent
Range	17,500 to 19,500 m (12.1 mi)
Shell	Semi-fixed 105 x 372 mm R (4.13 in)
Carriage/sights	split trail, 3× M90A2 telescope, M137A1 panoramic telescope

The GC-45 ("Gun, Canada, 45-calibre") is a 155 mm howitzer designed by Gerald Bull's Space Research Corporation (SRC), a man theat later took part in research for the Iraqi "supergun" in the late 1980s. One og his smaller models as a long range, super high velocity howitzer which was produced by number of companies such as Austria and South Africa. The GHN-45 was also used by some Iraqi artillery units, with a range surpassing any other ordnance at the time. Armscor continued work on their own variant, which was adopted by South Africa in 1982 as the G5. It replaced all WWII era legacy ordnance sich as the QF 25 pdr. The G5s saw combat in Angola notably against the Cubans and local forces, very effectively. Voest-Alpine's Noricum division if fact purchased its design rights, made detail changes to improve mass production and gave the GHN-45 (Gun, Howitzer, Noricum), integrating APU and fire control systems.

Author's rendition of the CG-45

The Royal Thai Navy was the first customer, for their Marine Corps, but also China, Singapore and Israel which all setuo their own domestic production, such as the Soltam 845P in Israel, ODE FH-88 in Singapore, PLL01/WA021 in China. Its performances were 39.6 km (24.6 mi) with Base bleed. It does fire all compatible 155 mm ammunitions, including a few with sub-munitions to deal with tank formations. It was exported aslo to the UAE, Jordan, Kuwait, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia and Saudi Arabia with Iran capturing a few ex-Iraqi ones. Its most famous self-propelled adaptation remains the south African G6 Rhino.

⚙ Specifications GNH N-45
Dimensions	6.98 meters x 155 mm (6.1 in.)
Mass	8,220 kg (18,120 lb)
Crew	6
Elevation/traverse	-89° to +128°, left 53.4°, right 71°
Rate of fire	5 rpm sustained: 2 rpm
Muzzle velocity	897 metres per second (2,940 ft/s)
Range	39.6 km (24.6 mi)
Carriage/sights	Split trail

The 130 mm towed field gun M-46 is a manually loaded, towed 130 mm ordnance, mas produced in USSR from 1951 to 1971. NATO observed in 1954, hence the name. The M-46 was the longest range artillery at the time above 27 km (17 mi) unassisted and later in the 1960s up to 40 km (25 mi) with assisted shells. It ws studied from 1946 and manufactured by MOTZ, from a request in April 1946 to design a "duplex" artillery piece to replace the 122 mm gun M1931/37 (A-19) and 152 mm howitzer-gun M1937 (ML-20) as well as the 122 mm Model 1931, 152 mm Model 1910/30, 152 mm Model 1935 (BR-2). Factory No 172 (MOTZ) gave it a familiar carriage and the first of these new guns was named M-46 (130 mm), the other M-47 (152 mm) (GRAU 52-P-482 for the M46). Development was completed in 1950. It was mass produced and largely exported, still in park with most users to this day. It saw also many wars and conflicts, From Vietnam to as recently as the current war in Ukraine.

Author's rendition of the M46 in IDF service, modified by SOLTAM
This gun was derived into the M47 with an even longer range, and in China as the Type 59 as a licensed version and the 59-1 was a combination with the Type 60 (D-74 copy) chassis, same range as the M-46, lower weight and the Egyptian M59-1M was licenced, based on the Type 83 SPH. It was used with Cuba, India, Israel, North Korea, Serbia, Netherlands, Romania and Vietnam. This ordnance coukd fire the Frag-HE, 3OF33 (range 27,490 meters) Frag-HE, 3OF33 and the Frag-HE, ERFB-BB with Extended Range Full Bore (range 38,000 meters). The APCBC-HE-T, BR-482 and BR-482B was its antitank variant, with a range of 1,140 meters. It also fired a guided Shell, the Firn-1 (range 24,000 m), Smoke, Chemical and Illumination. North Korea made three self propelled artilery systems from it, the SPG 130 mm M1975, the SPG 130 mm M1981 and the SPG 130 mm M1991. Romania created the A412 or Tun calibrul 130-mm tractat M1982 SPG as well. Cuba created one based on a T-34-85 chassis and another in the 2000s, as a modified KrAZ 6x6 truck. The latter was adopted by Vietnam as the PTH130-K225B.

⚙ Specifications M46
Dimensions	11.73 m (38 ft 6 in) x2.45 m (8 ft) x2.55 m (8 ft 4 in)
Mass	7,700 kg (17,000 lb)
Crew	8
Load/recoil	Horizontal sliding-wedge/hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−2.5° to 45°, 50°
Rate of fire	6 rpm (normal), 8 rpm (burst), 5 rpm (sustained)
Muzzle velocity	930 m/s (3,051 ft/s)
Range	27 km (17 mi) unassisted, 40 km (25 mi) assisted
Shell	130 x 845 mm R (R/184.6mm) separate charge and projectile
Carriage/sights	Split Trail

The Type 83 122 mm howitzer is a towed howitzer used by the People's Liberation Army of China. The gun system is developed from the earlier Chinese Type 54 howitzer which was in turn developed from the Soviet 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30). The basic design of the type 83 is similar to the earlier M-30. However, the Type 83 has a split-shield which is similar to that used by the 152 mm towed gun-howitzer M1955 (D-20) and has a multi-baffle muzzle brake.

Author's rendition of the 122m Type 83 Howitzer

⚙ Specifications Type 83 4.8 in
Dimensions	7,862 x 2,157 x 2,088 x 1,137m. Barrel 3,634 m (30 cal.)
Mass	2,7t in battle order
Breech	Vertical semi-automatic sliding-wedge
Crew	8
Load/recoil	Hydraulic buffer and hydro-pneumatic recuperator, 920-1050mm
Elevation/traverse	+65°
Rate of fire	7-8 rpm
Muzzle velocity	As M30
Range	15,6 km (grenade), 19 km (remote bomb).
Shell	21.76 kg HE Sep. loading charge and projectile
Carriage/sights	Split trail

A long-lasting Soviet gun-howitzer still used on battlefields across the world today. Widely exported, this solid, reliable, powerful ordnance was developed after the war by F. Petrov Design Bureau from 1949, to replace aging or worn out WW2 stock guns and howitzers. The time needed to perfect the design helped to secure all solutions that worked, simplify all components, ensuring extra reliability, ease of maintenance, repair ot transport, as well as cheap, mass production. It is today quite an oddball of old school artillery with narrow wheeled gun carriages, quaint splinter shields from the D-74 122 mm howitzer. The D20 entered service in 1955 and instantly became a success, replacing all the intended ordnances and produced until 1970.

Author's rendition of the D20

The D20 was produced for decades at the Artillery Plant Number 9, Yekaterinburg. It was usable against tank formations if stationary, with the punch of its massive HE shells at 17 km and up to 24 with modern rocket-assisted rounds. So far, it saw action in the Vietnam War, Six-Day War, Yom Kippur War, Soviet–Afghan War, Iran–Iraq War, Lebanese Civil War, First Nagorno-Karabakh War, Syrian Civil War, Russo-Ukrainian War and Nagorno-Karabakh conflict among others. There are currently 25 users, with 13 former ones. It was copied into the Chinese PL-66, Romanian A411, Serbian M84 NORA-A. The D-20 led to the design of the D-22 (GRAU index: 2A33), used for the self-propelled 2S3 Akatsiya ("Acacia") but it was also copied for the Chinese Type 83 SPH, truck mounted NORA B-52 and North Korean M1974.

⚙ Specifications D20 Howitzer
Dimensions	8.69 m x 152 mm (26 calibers)
Mass	5.56 t
Crew	10 men
Elevation/traverse	-5/+45°, 58° each side
Rate of fire	5-6 rpm
Muzzle velocity
Range	17.4 km, 24 for improved modernized variants
Shell	Composite HE, separate ammo, 43.56 kg HE
Carriage/sights	Split trail

The 122mm D-74 towed gun is a Soviet-built gun. Developed in the late 1950s it provided direct and indirect fire for the Soviet Army. Today it is in reserve units with the Russian Army. It is in active service with the Egyptian Army and the Pakistani Army. The 122 mm (originally 48 lines) calibre has been in Russian service since the early 20th century. After World War II the Soviet Union developed two new long range guns to replace existing 122 mm and 152 mm guns such as 122 mm gun M1931 (A-19), 122 mm gun M1931/37 (A-19), 152 mm gun M1910/30 and 152 mm gun M1935 (Br-2). The two new guns were the 122 mm D-74 and the 130 mm M-46.

The D-74 design was probably initiated in the late 1940s and it was first seen in public in 1955. It was designed by the well established design bureau at Artillery Plant No. 9 in Sverdlovsk (now Motovilikha Plants in Yekaterinburg), led by the eminent artillery designer Fëdor Fëdorovich Petrov who was also responsible for several World War II and later artillery designs. The design team also developed the 152 mm gun howitzer D-20 at much the same time, and both D-74 and D-20 use the same carriage. Both the 122 mm D-74 and 130 mm M-46 entered Soviet service, but the heavier shell and greater range of the M-46 meant that it outlasted the D-74.

Author's rendition of the 122mm D-74

The gun fires separate ammunition using a metal cartridge case that also provides obturation. The ammunition is different to that used with 122 mm howitzers. There is a single charge without increments. The shell weight is 25 kg with a muzzle velocity of 900 m/s although the slightly lighter APHE shell has a higher muzzle velocity. Maximum rate of fire is usually stated as six rounds per minute. The detachment was either eight or nine men, probably differing between armies and period. In Soviet service the 5,600 kg gun was usually towed by a URAL-375 6×6 truck, AT-S or AT-L medium tractor in some regions. Vehicles using the D-74: None, but the 2S1 M-1974 Gvodzika carried a derivative, the D-30.

⚙ Specifications Rgt; Gun M1927
Dimensions	9.875/6.45 x 2.35 x 2.7m (30 ft/21 ft 2 in x 7 ft 9 in x 8 ft 10 in)
Mass	5,620 kg (12,390 lbs)
Crew	7~9
Load/recoil	Semi-auto vertical sliding-wedge, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	+45/−5°/45°
Rate of fire	8–10 rpm
Muzzle velocity	885 m/s (2,907 ft/s)
Range	direct 1.08 km (.67 mi)/23.9 km (15 mi)
Shell	122 mm (4.8 in) Separate loading charge and projectile
Carriage/sights	Split-trail

The 76 mm regimental gun M1927 was a Soviet infantry support gun developed in 1927 by the design bureau of Orudiyno-Arsenalny Trest, entering production in 1928 with 18,116 manufactured until 1943. When Operation Baraossa started, the Red Army had some 4,708 in inventory. In 1943, it was replaced in production by the 76 mm regimental gun M1943, and remained in service until the end of the war. The Germans captured many, renamed 7.62 cm Infanteriekanonehaubitze 290(r) as the Finns as 76 RK/27.

This was a slight, short barrel gun to deal light field fortifications and personnel, by direct fire like the 7.7 cm Infanteriegeschütz L/27. HEAT shell gave it limited anti-tank capabilities though. It had the same 76.2mm caliber as divisional guns, but a smaller propellant charge. It's shell flange was modified to prevent the divisional gun rounds to be loaded into the chamber. It was issued to rifle and cavalry regiments, each Arty battalion of rifle brigade had one such battery and some were used by anti-tank artillery battalions.

Author's rendition of the Regimental Gun M1927

⚙ Specifications Regimental Gun M1927
Dimensions	3.5 x 1.7 x 1.3 m (11 ft 6 in x 5 ft 7 in x 4 ft 3 in)
Mass	780 kg (1,720 lb)
Crew	4 - 76.2 mm (3 in)
Load/recoil	Interrupted screw
Elevation/traverse	6°, -6° to 25°
Rate of fire	10-12 rpm
Muzzle velocity	387 m/s (1,270 ft/s)
Range	4.2 km (2.6 mi)
Shell	Fixed QF 76.2 x 167mm R 6.2 kg (13 lb 11 oz)
Carriage/sights	Pole trail

The best round on offer was the HEAT BP-350M for anti-tank role. It was capable of 311 m/s (1,020 ft/s) in muzzle velocity instead of 262 m/s (860 ft/s) for the Frag rounds and an effective range of 1000 m or 1100 yards. It was also modernized as the M1943, last production variant, using the split-trail carriage and shield from the 45 mm anti-tank gun M1942 (M-42) as well as amodernized barrel. It was aslo placed on verhicles, the SU-12 GAZ-AAA truck in portee and with a shield, production from 1933 to 1935. The SU-26 was another variant mounted on a pedestal mount with a tailored, tall shield, on the chassis of the T-26. It equipped also early versions of the T-28 heavy tank and found its way in the BT-7A.


The SU-26 (14 made in 1941) was a self-propelled gun sporting the Regimental Gun M1927.

Studied to replace WW2 legacy 122mm howitzers, the 2A18 (GRAU) or D30 Howitzer is a famous ordnance today. It was developed by F.F. Petrov and produced by Gosudarstvennoe Unitarnoe Predpriatie Zavod 9 to some 12k units from 1960, constantly improved and largely exported to 100+ operators, seeing 30+ wars and conflicts and its story is not over. This model is still used today in Ukraine as of 2024. What made it so special ? Albeit it was a robust piece that focused on essential features of a towed field gun with a not so great max range of 15.4 kilometers (21 with rocket-assisted ammunition), it was its mounting that set it apart. It combined legs with undercarriage in such a way it could be deployed on a 360° tabletop, something unique at the time.

Author's rendition of the D30

It was capable of direct anti-tank fire, evidenced by the very effective HEAT shell develop for it and a low silhouette, wide and rapid top-traverse and its shield. Itis also capable of firing the AP Flechete, HEAT-FS (740m/s, fastest) and HEAT-FS-T against tanks. It was also carried by the 2S1 Gvozdika and the Sora 122mm developed in Serbia, the SH-2 by Norinco, and PLZ-07. Another version was developed by Soltam and Elbit under contract for the Kazakhstani Ministry of Defense, based on the KamAZ-6350 8x8 chassis...

⚙ Specifications D30 (4.8 in)
Dimensions	4.66 m (15 ft 3 in) 38 calibres (5.4 x 1.9 x 1.6m transport)
Mass	3,210 kg (7,080 lb)
Crew	1+7
Load/recoil	Semi-automatic vertical sliding-wedge, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−7° to 70°, 360°
Rate of fire	10–12 rpm, sustained 5–6 rpm
Muzzle velocity	Ammunition dependent
Range	15.4 km (9.6 mi), 21.9 km (13.6 mi) assisted
Shell	122 x 447mm .R
Carriage/sights	tripod, optical, centralized fire data

The 122 mm howitzer M1938 (M-30) (GRAU 52-G-463) was a Soviet 121.92 mm (4.8 inch) howitzer, developed by the design bureau of Motovilikha Plants (F. F. Petrov) in 1936, tested and enhanced and production started in 1939. It ran off until 1947 but other countries had it produced until 1955. This became the prime divisional artillery Red Army ordnance. Many were captured and used both by the Wehrmacht and Finnish Army as well. Postwar, the M-30 was largely exported and saw a lot of combats, notably in the Middle East, but also in Korean, Vietnam, in the Laotian and Cambodian Civil Wars, Indonesian invasion of East Timor, Soviet–Afghan War, Lebanese Civil War, Iran–Iraq War, Second Sudanese Civil War, Syrian Civil War, Sri Lankan Civil War, and even in the recent Russo-Ukrainian War as we speak.

Author's rendition of the 122mm M30 Howitzer(R)

The antitank capabilities of the M30 are of course incidental, but at 5–6 rounds per minute up to 11.8 km (7.33 mi) it could deliver all sorts of ammunitions, some over the years had been produced for anti-tank uses. Already crews in 1944-45 had at their disposal a HEAT shell developed in 1943. However HE had some successes like a Tiger reported heavily damaged by a self-propelled variant fired by an SU-122 assault gun. The gun was also used on the SG-122, a modsified Russian captured STUG-III. The Germans had it mounted on the Lorraine 37L chassis producing the 12,2-cm Kanone (r) auf Geschützwagen Lorraine-Shlepper (f), also used in an armoured train. The chinese developed the 4 roaswheels Type WZ302 (Type 70 SPH) and later the 6-roadwheels, WZ302A or Type 70-1 and Type WZ302B or Type 70-2 an the Romanians in 1942 developed an early Mareșal using the gun also.

⚙ Specifications M30
Dimensions	5.9 x 1.98 x 1.82m (19 ft 4 i x 6 ft 6 in x 6 ft)
Mass	Combat 2,450 kg (5,401 lbs), travel 3,100 kg (6,834 lbs)
Crew	8
Load/recoil	Interrupted screw, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−3° to 63.5°, 49°
Rate of fire	5–6 rounds per minute
Muzzle velocity	431-515 mps
Range	11.8 km (7.33 mi)
Shell	21 Kgs. 122 x 284mm .R (121.92 mm/4.8 in)
Carriage/sights	Split trail

The Swedish Fälthaubits 77 ("Field Howitzer 77") or FH77 is a Swedish 155 mm howitzer developed and manufactured by well known Bofors company. It was initially ordered to replace the French Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50 (Haubits F) and rejected the proposed American M109 self-propelled howitzer as maintenance heavy. The specs. pressed for a high mobility artillery capable of burst of rapid fire. A lot of efforts were made from 1978 into an innovative loading and raming system using semi-fixed ammunition. The prototype could could fire 4 rounds in 9 seconds, amazing for the time. It fired the whole range of NATO 155mm ammunition. The original version sometimes called Haubits 77 A had a 38 cal. barrel and sliding block mechanism. The export version FH77 B was a 39 cal. with interrupted ogival screw breech.

The FH 77 weights 11,500 kg (25,400 lb) overall for a combat width of 9.73 m (31 ft 11 in), assisted by 9 to 14 men depending on versions. It used asemi-fixed ammunition with a propellant charge contained in a plastic cartridge case with a steel head. It used also a vertically sliding breech block with hydraulic ramming, and hydraulically powered flick rammer assisted loading and reload even in a +70° elevation. The mount was capable of changing angles quick thanks split trail with castor wheels powered by a Volvo B20 APU for a Carriage top speed of 6 km/h and n already mount-based 30° left or right traverse. Base rate of fire was 4 rounds in 9 seconds but it go up to 6 rounds in 25 seconds. Average range was 21-24 km but 60 km+ with the Ramjet Propelled Artillery Shell developed recently.

Author's rendition of the FH77

720 were produced between 1978 and 1984 ($695,000 apiece), it was exported to Nigeria (48) and India (410) which from there designed the 45 cal. Dhanush. This ordnance was towed by the Scania SBA111 (Tgb 40) in Swedish service, but a derivative was also adopted for the Archer Artillery System, using the advanced FH 77 AD L/45 and then /52 in production.

⚙ Specifications Haubits FH77 155 mm NATO
Dimensions	11.60 m/5.89 m (38 ft 1 in)
Engine	Volvo B20 APU 6 km/h
Mass	11,500 kg (25,400 lb)
Crew	9-14
Load/recoil	Feed system hydraulically powered flick rammer
Elevation/traverse	-5°/+70°, +30° left/right
Rate of fire	4 rds/9 secs., 6 rds/25 secs.
Muzzle velocity	300 to 770 m/s (980 to 2,530 ft/s)
Range	21 km (13 mi)/24 km (15 mi)/60 km+ Ramjet PAS
Shell
Carriage/sights	split trail with castor wheels

The 240 mm howitzer M1 "Black Dragon" was the heaviest towed howitzer of the United States Army. It was designed to replace the WWI 240 mm howitzer M1918, based itself on a 1911 French design Mortier de 280 modèle 1914 Schneider, and now outdated. It used for transport three-axle, six-wheeled wagons, carrying each either the cannon tube, and carriage. For setup in the field, the 20-ton M2 truck-mounted crane was needed, while the crane had a clam-shell bucket transported on a trailer, to dig the recoil pit. Two hours were needed to setup this artillery piece. The M6 High Speed Tractor was also designed for it, but did only entered production by Feb. 1944.

Author's rendition of the 240 mm Howitzer M1

Not an antitank howitzer of course it still could inflict untold damage in case of a direct hit. There were attempts to have the 240 mm M1 self-propelled. The usual way were two six-wheeled wagons towed by a Mack NO 7½-ton 6x6 truck or M33 or M35 prime movers, and tests were made to have it carried by a stretched Heavy Tank T26E3 chassis (extra bogie) known as the T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage, with 115 planned, five tested as the war ended. They would have been the largest SPG ever in US service, but post-WW2 was more about 155 mm as a standard, with NATO standard ammunition and more accuracy. The M240 was also used postwar by the US in Korea, and until 1959, and by Taiwan until today, most being transferred, but also the Philippines.

⚙ Specifications 240 mm Howitzer M1
Dimensions	Barrel 27 ft 6 in (8.38 m) L/35, Width 9 ft 2 in (2.79 m)
Mass	64,700 lb (29,300 kg) in action
Crew	14
Load/recoil	Interrupted screw, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	+15° to +65°, 22.5° either side.
Rate of fire	1 rpm, 30/h sustained
Muzzle velocity	2,300 ft/s (701 m/s)
Range	14.3 mi (23.1 km)
Shell	360 lb (160 kg) separate loading, bagged charge
Carriage/sights	Split trail, 2 transport wagons

The 25 pdr was probably the most famous ordnance of the British and Commolwealth armies during WW2 and well beyond, right to the end of the cold war, with many users and seeing plenty of service. It is still in use in the british army as saluting guns today. The Ordnance QF 25-pounder had a 3.45 inches (87.6 mm) caliber, and as a field artillery it was seen was very durable, easy to operate and versatile, the major British British field gun/Howitzer.

It was introduced into service just before the War started t replaced both the replace the 18-pounder (3.3-inch or 84 mm) field gun and 4.5-inch howitzer (114.3 mm bore). This new "universal field gun" was to combine the advantages of both formula into a single gun easy to use and manufacture. It had indeed high-angle and direct-fire abilities, high rate of fire, a shell that was lethal enough, while being still light, compact, easy to move around, including with an arrangement allowinf a full 360° traverse if needed. Initial production shooted up as more manufactures came in for a grand total of 12,000 delivered by 1945. It stayed active in th British Army until the 1960s and training units until the 1980s, 1970s in Commonwealth countries with an ammunition currently still produced by Pakistan Ordnance Factories.

Author's rendition of the 25 pdr howitzer 88 mm

A true legend of a gun, the 25-pdr could be used in anti-tank roles at the margin, and they were provided by two types of AT shells: The 20 pounds (9.1 kg) solid armour-piercing (AP) shot, later replaced by a ballistic cap (APBC) one. They used the charge No. 3, super, for extra muzzle velocity in direct fire. A shaped charge anti-tank shell was under development in Canada until the QF 17-pounder was provided, making it irrelevant. Postwar, HESH shells were provided. For mobility, the 25-pdr was of course usually towed, as Armoured divisions were standardised with two field artillery regiments, including a self-propelled one, each having two batteries of twelve guns, Morris CDSW, Vickers Light Dragon Mk. III, Bren Carrier, T16, and thousands of CMP, Morris, Guy and Karrier "quad" 4x4 field artillery tractors as well as in 1945, the Bedford three-ton gun tower.

It was also mounted ion the self-propelled Bishop in Africa, and later the US lend-lease M7 Priest as well as the Canadian Sexton, based on the Ram and later Grizzly tank chassis. In the cold war, these were replaced by the 105mm Abbot SPG. But the caliber was considered obsolete as NATO imposed the 105 and 155 mm as new standards.

⚙ Specifications 25 pdr howitzer
Dimensions	4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) x 2.13 m (7 ft)
Mass	1,633 kg (3,600 lb)
Crew	6 (commander, 1 gunner, 1 pointer, 3 loaders)
Load/recoil	Vertical sliding-block, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	-5° to 45°, 4° Left & Right traverse, 360° platform
Rate of fire	From 1 to 8 rpm
Muzzle velocity	532 m/s (1,750 ft/s) AP shells
Range	12,253 m (13,400 yd) (HE shell)
Shell	88 x 292mm R11.5 kg (25 lb)
Carriage/sights	Split trail, platform, Calibrating & reciprocating

In January 1939 a specification asked for a 5.5 tons howitzer to replace the vintage 6 inch 26 cwt with a desired new range of 16,000 yards (15 km). 5.5 inches withe Asbury breechblock initially and semi-automatic firing mechanism copied from on naval guns was adopted. However it was dropped, as well as complex hydropneumatic equilibrators for springs. The first arrived in the summer of 1941 in North Africa, equipped both British and Free French at El Alamein, and then Canadian, Australian, South African, Polish and Indian regiments. A regimental strenght was 16 guns, two batteries. It saw action also in Korea, South Arabia and Borneo, by the Indian Army with Pakistan up to the Kargil War of 1999. it was used in the South African Border War as G2 and stayed in the 1980s Territorial Army regiments and Australia until 1984, rteplaced by the FH-70 155 mm towed howitzer.

Author's rendition of the 5.5 in BL Howitzer

The 5.5 in BL Howitzer was not usable against tanks, there was no AP but gunners were trained to use impact fuze and fire unfused high explosive as AP substitutes. This ordnance was towed by the AEC Matador as prime mover, and in the 1950s the AEC Militant Mk 1 6x6 truck and FV 1103 Leyland Martian 6x6 Medium Artillery Tractor. it was believed to be too heavy unlike the 25 pdr to be installed on a self-propelled platform. Only in 1944 a prototype Crusader gun tractor was made, with the gun installed in an open compartment without casmemate and during the cold war by the 1950s FV3805 derived from the Centurion in a barbette and fully enclosed casemate, plus engine swapped to the front. Two prototypes were tested, one later restored at Bovington.

⚙ Specifications 5.5 in BL Howitzer AT Gun
Dimensions	24 ft 7 in/13 ft 9 in x 8 ft 4 in x 8 ft 6 in (7.5/4.19 m L/30 x 2.54 x 2.6 m)
Mass	13,647 lbs (6,190 kg)
Crew	10
Load/recoil	Welin breech and Asbury mechanism, Recoil Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	-5° to 45°, 30° left and right
Rate of fire	2 rpm
Muzzle velocity	100lb shell (45 kg): 1,675 ft/s (511 m/s)
Range	100lb shell: 16,200 yards (14,800 m)
Shell	Separate loading bagged charge and projectile
Carriage/sights	Split trail, Probert pattern reciprocating and calibrating

The 7.2in Howitzer was very much a "quick fix" to gove the British army a heavy howitzer. These were stock WWI BL 8in (declared obsolete in 1926) that had their barrels just re-lined to 7.2in (a new liner was built-in for a new barrel life). The original 8in carriage was not forgotten and the old style spoken wheels replaced by pneumatic wheels in order to be towed at greater speeds. In all, these were declined into six variants or Marks. Mark I to IV only had minor differences but Mark V was adapted on the US made M1 carriage and Mark VI a longer barrel for a longer range. The conversion process started in 1940 and was completed by 1944. The 7.2 in howitzer Mk 6 used the M1 carriage and with its longer barrel resembled the US "Long Tom".

Author's rendition of the BL 7.2in Howitzer

The 7.2 in Combat debut was in North Africa. It was also used Europe from DD-Day as well as in Sicily and Italy, and the far east, Burma as well in 1944-45 but remained in use up to the 1960s. Not bad for an ordnance designed in 1915. It was also built in the US as the M1917 back in WWI and many were retransferred to Britain in 1940, and later converted. It was also used by the Finns in 1939 in the Russo-Finnish Winter War. The BL 7.2 in had a relatively low velocity and made for a poor anti-tank gun. it was never used as such, but of course a volley falling onto a stationed tank formation was always devatating. It was used by batteries of two four guns and towed usually by the Scammell Pioneer, and from later 1943 by the Albion CX22S.

⚙ Specifications BL Mark I-IV 7.2in Howitzer
Dimensions	24 ft 4 in (7.42 m), barrel 14 ft 3 in (4.34 m)
Dimensions w/h	9 ft (2.7 m), Height 4 ft 3 in (1.30 m)
Mass	10.22 long tons (10.38 t)
Crew	10
Load/recoil	Welin screw & asbury mech
Elevation/traverse	up to 45°, 4° left & right
Rate of fire	Best 3 rpm
Muzzle velocity	1,697 ft/s (517 m/s)
Range	16,900 yd (15,500 m)
Shell	HE 202 pounds (92 kg) 7.2 inches (182.9 mm)
Carriage/sights	Split Trail

The 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 was a versatile artillery piece used by the United States during World War II and later conflicts. Developed in the 1920s, it was designed to be lightweight and easily transportable, hence the term "pack" in its name. It could be broken down into several components and carried by pack animals or disassembled and transported by troops. This mobility made it well-suited for operations in rugged terrain or areas where heavier artillery couldn't reach.

The M1 howitzer fired a 75mm shell and had a range of around 8,800 meters. It was primarily used for indirect fire support, targeting enemy positions, artillery, or fortifications. Its relatively small size and weight made it suitable for use by airborne and mountain troops, as well as infantry units operating in difficult terrain.

During World War II, the 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 saw extensive use by U.S. forces in various theaters of operation, including Europe, the Pacific, and North Africa. It remained in service for several decades after the war and was utilized during the Korean War (renamed M116 from 1967) and into the early years of the Vietnam War, although it was gradually phased out in favor of more modern artillery systems.

Author's rendition of the Pack Howitzer M1

Mounted at first on classic artillery spoked wheels it was converted to wheeled pneumatic for rapid towed deployment, it was compatible to all US trucks, down to the 1/4 ton jeep, was frequently towed by the Dodge WC or transported by plane or glider such as CG-4 Waco. It was also mounted on many vehicles: M8 Scott on the mount M7, LVT(A)-4 (same) and (A)-5 in mount M12 as well as the 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage T30 M1A1 in mount T10, half track. It also came with an anti-tank shell, the HEAT M66 capable of penetrating 91 mm (3.6 in) of homogeneous armor.

⚙ Specifications 75mm Pack Howitzer M1
Dimensions	3.68 x 1.19 0.94 m (12 ft 1 in x 4 ft x 3 ft 1 in)
Barrel	75 mm (2.95 in), 1.38 m (4 ft 6 in) L/18.4
Mass	653 kg (1,439 lbs)
Crew	6 or more
Load/recoil	Horizontal-block, Hydro-pneumatic, constant
Elevation/traverse	-5° to +45°, 6°
Rate of fire	6 rpm
Muzzle velocity	381 m/s (1,250 ft/s)
Range (effective)	8.8 km (5.5 mi)
Shell	Fixed and Semi-fixed 75 x 272 mm R 8.27 kg (18 lb 4 oz)
Carriage/sights	Box trail or Split-trail depending on model

The 8-inch gun M1 was a 203 mm towed heavy gun developed in the United States. At 32,584 m (35,635 yd), it had the longest range of any US Army field artillery weapon in World War II. It was also used in small numbers by the British Army. The 8-inch Gun M1 was a large caliber artillery piece used by the United States during World War II and the Korean War. This Heavy artillery field gun rated for 203 mm (heavy cruiser naval caliber) was a 40 calibers, c8.1 meters (26.6 feet) long, designed by the Army Ordnance Corps. It's development started in 1919 actually, when the Westervelt Board described the ideal heavy gun for the US army having a 194 mm to 8 inches caliber and c200 lbs she with a range of 35,000 yards. It was also to be made road transportable. This did not existed anywhere at the time. However the postwar years had it relegated to archives as it had very low-priority with some design work made until the project was shelved in 1924. Development restarted in June 1940, with the adoption of the 8-inch (203 mm) to make it compatible with largely available naval rounds, and a range of 33,500 yards (30,600 m). For transport it was broke into two loads 44,000 lb (20,000 kg) each and made so that it could be towed at 25 mph (40 km/h) on road and be placed on two railways flatbeds.

Author's rendition of the 8-in Howitzer M1
The M1 saw action primarily in Europe from D-Day onwards, France, Italy and Germany until V-Day. It was used for long-range bombardment and counter-battery fire. The M1 was reactivated for the Korean War in similar roles, providing heavy fire support for UN forces in an even more favourable environment. It was towed by heavy high speed tracked artillery tractors in two loadd to be assembled on-site. Trucks or other tractors with trailers brought ammunitions. The 8-inches M1 was typically deployed in heavy artillery battalions. It was valued for its ability to deliver high-explosive shells over long distances, which was effective against enemy fortifications and troop concentrations. Post-WWII advancements in artillery and missile technology eventually rendered the M1 obsolete, but its design and use provided valuable lessons for the development of future heavy artillery systems. This was of course not intended to deal with tanks, but raining down fire on static tanks formation was quite punishing. The most common ammunition was the HE M103 Shell. Even a near-miss could overturn a Konigstiger (65 tons) like a pancake as shown in latter stage in Germany. The US Army tested with it a giant self propelled gun, the 8in Gun Motor Carriage T93, based on the stretched Heavy Tank T26E3 chassis. It did not reached production.

⚙ Specifications 8-inch gun M1
Dimensions	40 feet (12.2 meters) overall
Mass	32 tons (64,000 pounds)
Crew	14
Load/recoil
Elevation/traverse
Rate of fire	1 round per 2-5 minutes, depending on crew efficiency and conditions
Muzzle velocity
Range	c35,000 yards (32 km or 20 miles)
Shell	Average 240 pounds (108.9 kg) HE
Carriage/sights

After WWI, the U.S. Army Ordnance Department studied captured German 105 mm howitzers and developed from there a 105 mm Howitzer M1920 on carriage M1920. It was later adapted to the M1925E box trail carriage and split trail designs such as the T1 and T2 until standardized in December 1927, as the 105 mm howitzer M1 on carriage M1. The intention was to replace all M1897 75 mm gun-howitzers in field artillery regiments but the project was abandoned in with just 14 M1 manufactured in 1933. A modified version was tested with a semi-fixed ammunition in 1932 with a different breech block as the howitzer M2 on carriage M1. 48 manufactured in 1939, later mated on T5 (M2) carriages, standardized in February 1940, and last breech ring modification by March 1940, then large-scale production started of the wartime M2A1 on carriage M2, 10,200 made until 1953 at Rock Island Arsenal.

Author's rendition of the 105mm M2

It was heavy for its calibre, but very durable, and thus did not worn out. It served in WW2, Korea, Vietnam, and was still provided to natiional guard units in he 1980s. It was redesignated in 1962, the M101A1 and competed with the new M102 howitzer and albeit retired afterwards it soldiered on in many armies to this day like South Korea and its local K105A1. It was mounted in Sherman tanks (M4A4E1 and M4(105)), the M45, T9, T19, M7, M37, and T88.

⚙ Specifications 105 mm (4.1 in) Howitzer M2
Dimensions	19 ft 6 in x 5 ft 8 in (5.94 x 1.73 m)
Mass	4,980 lb (2,260 kg)
Crew	6
Load/recoil	Horizontal-block, Hydro-pneumatic, constant, 42 in
Elevation/traverse	−5° (−89 mils)-65° (1,156 mils); ±23° (±409 mils)
Rate of fire	10 rpm
Muzzle velocity	1,550 ft/s (472 m/s)
Range	7.00 mi (11,270 m)
Shell	105×372 mm R
Carriage/sights	split trail, optical

The "Obusier de 155 mm Modèle 50" was a French 155 mm, 30 calibre howitzer which was developed from 1945 and in service in 1952. It was the first French artillery design since the 1930s and ended manufactured in France, with 980 howitzers made for the army and exported to Lebanon (50), Morocco (18), Senegal (6), Israel (170), Switzerland (20), Tunisia (30) and produced under license in Sweden. The Model 50 has a split trail and large slotted muzzle-brake, as well as extra mobility with its four-wheeled bogie and retractable firing pedestal, beneath the axles.

Author's rendition of the 155 mm GIAT M1950

The Model 50 was replaced in the 1980s by the TRF-1 with Reserve units operating it until the 1990s. It was usabled in anti-tank role depending on its ammunition used as any howitzer, fatal in direct hit, or via shrapnels through the engine deck, and it was operated towed mainly, albeit the AMX-155 SPG canon de 155 mm (6.1 in) mle F3 automouvant used the F3 variant of the M1950. Another vehicle was the Iraeli M-50 155 mm based on the M-50 isherman M4A4-based chassis with an open structure, developed in the early 1960s by Israeli Ordnance Corps in cooperation with France and with c120 units produced, seeing action in the War of Attrition, Six Day War, Yom Kippur War and 1982 Lebanon War.

⚙ Specifications 155 mm(6.1 in) GIAT M1950
Dimensions:	7.8 m x 2.7 x 2.5m (25 ft 7 in x 8 ft 10 in x 8 ft 2 in)
Barrel:	4.65 m (15 ft 3 in) L/30
Mass	8,100 kg (17,900 lb)
Crew	11
Load/recoil	Interrupted screw/Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	-4°/69°, 80° (40° either side of the trail)
Rate of fire	3-4 rpm
Muzzle velocity	650 m/s (2,100 ft/s)
Range	18,000 m (20,000 yd)/23,300 m (25,500 yd) max
Shell	Separate loading charge and projectile
Carriage/sights	Split trail, optical

The French 75 mm (popularly known as the "soixante-quinze" referring to its caliber) field gun was a quick-firing field artillery piece, adopted in March 1898. Originally designed as an anti-personnel weapon system capable of a very rate of fire with time-fused shrapnel on enemy troops in the open. It was originally designed after the war of 1870 and defeat, realizing the superiority of German artillery. However instead of choosing heavy artillery pieces and howitzers, slow to install and operate, the French army staff only swore the "Elan" was the most important doctrine of the day and it needed a relatively light field gun which could be carried alongside the troops and rapidly deployed along their progression, using horse-drawn carriages and operated by three men.

So many had been built and fielded some 4,000 in 1914, making it ubiquitous on the battlefield, and when engaged for the role they were designed for, their rate of fire proved indeed devastating, up to 30 rpm for very experienced crews and for short periods. Back in 1896 when its top secret hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism was operational, it was the world's fastest firing at 15 rpm and widely regarded as the first modern artillery piece. From 1915 they started using impact-detonated HE shells and in 1918 toxic gas shells, but also as truck mounted anti-aircraft artillery and mounted in the Saint-Chamond tank in 1918 and later Char 2c.

Author's rendition of the 75 mm Schneider M1897

⚙ Specifications M1897, AT Variant
Dimensions
Mass
Crew
Load/recoil
Elevation/traverse
Rate of fire
Muzzle velocity
Range
Shell
Carriage/sights

In 1918, the French Army still had 12,000 produced. It was the main gun for the American Expeditionary Forces (2,000) and of the 21,000 delivered in the interwar, most went to export (50+ countries). It was also produced under licence in the US and still fielded in large numbers in WW2 (M1897A4). It was the same for France in 1940, updated with new wheels and tires for truck towing at higher speeds. Called the modèle 1897 modifié 1938 it was accompanied by new shells to keep it relevant and had an altered shield.

The number of 75 mm field guns still around made its a seducing proposal to bolster the number of antitank guns distribited to the troops in 1940. The process of updating the gun started in 1932, and alongside the Modifié 1938, a field gun, were developed the Canon de 75 mm mle 1897 modifié 1933 which had a split-trail carriage allowing 58° traverse and -6° to +50° elevation. Its solid wheels turn with the trails, offering extra protection to the crew. From there was developed the canon de 75 mm mle 1897 sur plateforme Arbel modèle 1935, mounted on a circular platform for quick traverse. For both, AP rounds were introduced, perhaps able of 700 m/sec. velocity but hardly more. With its hardened steel cap it still could defeat most German tanks in May 1940.

Against light armor, the 5.3-kilogram (12 lb) impact-detonated, thin-walled steel HE shell had a velocity of 600+ m/s at a range of 8,500 metres. It was still very efficient in that role with an almost flat trajectory. Also France's Edgar Brandt (of mortar fame) developed an APDS (armour piercing discarding sabot) ammunition in 1938 but it was moslty only used in small numbers with the 25 mm Hotchkiss AT gun as the "25mm Brandt" 37/25 capable of 1150m/s. It was also produced for the 75 mm as the 75/57 Brandt Shell, AP modele 1910M. The APDS 75/57 had a muzzzle velocity of 900m/s and was able to pierce 90mm of steel at 35° at 1000 m, so a Panther could be destroyed frontally... Unfortuntately too few had been produced by May 1940.

The Germans also captured it, as the 7.5 cm Pak 97/38, adding a Swiss-designed muzzle brake, mounting it on German-built carriages. Dedicated post soon.

The Type 94 75 mm mountain gun (Kyūyon-shiki nanagō-miri Sanpō) was a mountain gun, a general-purpose infantry support gun developed for the Imperial Japanese Army and taking part in operations in the Second Sino-Japanese War and World War II. It was developed from 1931 to replace the Type 41 75 mm mountain gun and soon became the standard pack artillery piece of Japanese infantry divisions. The Type 94 mountain gun originated in the disapointment with the Type 41 during the invasion of Manchuria, not easily transportable under difficult terrain. First prototype was tested in 1932 and development complete in 1934, it was accepted in service by September 1934 but production started only by 1935 and amounted to 1,557 by the summer of 1945. It was vastly superior to the Type 41 in range and weight and was easy to manage by infantry. It had notably an hydro-pneumatic recoil mechanism based on French Schneider designs.

Author's rendition of the Type 94
Most were horse-drawn with a few tractors dedicated for it, such as the Type 92 5 t Prime Mover "I-Ke" although most trucks were adequate. Another model was the Type 94 4 t Prime Mover "Yo-Ke". The Type 94 mountain gun was a classic model related to the French "75" but also inclusing Krupp guns features. It had an horizontal sliding-block and rested on a split trail carriage with demountable spade plates, fixed trail blocks, move around by two steel band tires on spoked wheels. It was too light, poor velocity to be mounted on a self propelled gun. It was used in Manchukuo 1931–1942, in the second Sino-Japanese War, Netherlands East Indies, South Seas Mandate campaigns, and in cold war by the North Korea′s Korean People's Army and PRC Volunteer Army, both using copies of the Type 94 until 1953.

Its use against tank was allowed by the rare M95 APHE 6.2 kg (13.7 lb) round filled with 0.045 kilograms (0.099 lb) of picric acid and dinitro M95 with a small AP base fuse and extra powder to achieve a better muzzle velocity. It could be towed by a variety of trucks and small vehicles due to its weight of 495 kgs. In 1944 a HEAT round was introduced, able to penetrate roughly 100mm armor at all-ranges in the central Pacific and in 1945 and overcaliber shaped-charge anti-tank round was developed, inspired by the Stielgranate 41.

⚙ Specifications Type 94 mountain gun
Dimensions	3.81 m (12 ft 6 in) Firing trails open x 1.023 x 0.89 m
Mass	544 kg (1,199 lb) Firing, 495 kg (1,091 lb) Traveling
Crew	4-5
Load/recoil	Horizontal sliding-block, Hydro-pneumatic
Elevation/traverse	−10° to +45°, 40°
Rate of fire	2-4 rpm, 15 rpm for 2 minutes
Muzzle velocity	355 m/s (1,165 ft/s) HE
Range	8 km (5.0 mi) HE
Shell	75 x 294 mm R (2.95 in) HE(6 types), AP, Shrapnel, chemical...
Carriage/sights	Split Trail, Panoramic

The Obice da 75/18 modello 34 was an Italian Howitzer produced from 1934 to 1945. It originated in a request for mountain artillery in the early 1930s to replace an Austrian pre-WWI now obsolescent and overdue for replacement. In 1934, Ansaldo produced a new mountain howitzer design called the Obice da 75/18 modello 34 under Lt. Colonel Sergio Berlese, former artillery officer. The modello 34 could be broken down into eight loads for easier transport. Standardization led to design the modello 35 as light howitzer in standard field batteries with a box trail. It was also exported to PORTUGAL as only customer and offered to South American countries in exchange for raw materials.

Author's rendition of the Obice da 75/18 M34

It was adapted for the Semovente 75/18 self-propelled gun, with some anti-tank capability with the "Effetto Pronto" (HEAT) ammunition. It saw action with the Italian army in North Africa, and in 1941 some captured ones were used at the Battle of Crete and around Maleme airfield. It soldiered on in Sicily, Italy itself and probably on the eastern front as well.

⚙ Specifications Obice da 75/18 M34
Dimensions
Mass	1,065 kg (2,348 lb) Travel, 780 kg (1,720 lb) Combat
Crew	5
Elevation/traverse	-10° to +45°, 50°
Rate of fire	c5 rpm
Muzzle velocity	425 m/s (1,395 ft/s)
Range	9,564 m (10,459 yd)
Shell	75 x 232.5mmR
Carriage/sights	Split Trail, visual