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Land Systems / Battlefield

M1 Pack Howitzer / M116


75mm Towed Artillery [ 1927 ]



The versatile and lightweight Pack 75mm Towed Howitzer proved a godsend for American and Allied units in World War 2.



Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 08/16/2018 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site.

VIEW SPECIFICATIONS [+]
The M1A1 Pack Howitzer was the standard howitzer for American forces in World War 2. The Pack design actually traced its roots back to the howitzer development of World War One, standardized in the American Army post-war as the M1. The M1A1 of the Second World War featured a short barrel, could reach a sustained rate of fire of 3 to 6 rounds per minute with a capable crew, and had a range of roughly 9,610 yards (8,790 meters). The system was purposely engineered to be light, easily transportable and operated by a small crew (which worked well in the favor of light divisions such as airborne units as evident in the M8 variant of the Pack). The high explosive shell of the M1 Pack Howitzer weighed 6.3 kilograms. The weapon system could be used for suppression, assault, defense and limited anti-tank duty. Further developments enabled better cross-country mobility.

Pack howitzers garnered their 'Pack' designations by the idea that pack animals could tow the lightweight system (most common in World War One but not uncommon in World War Two for either side). The system was designed to be easily taken apart in multiple pieces (the M1 carriage could be taken down to a total of six parts while the gun system could be taken down to nine parts) for this very purpose. The M1A1 first utilized the aforementioned M1 Carriage, which featured wooden spoke wheels. Later versions implemented into the follow-up M8 Carriage utilized rubber treaded tires on metal wheels.

The M1A1 saw action in Arnhem with the British, being dropped by glider in Operation Market Garden. British troops also trained Yugoslavian partisans in the use of the weapon system (seeing some success in the mountain warfare role). The M1A1 saw action in the far east jungles of the Pacific Theater. The ability of the system to be able to be broken down made it most advantageous in mounting amphibious assaults needing artillery support immediately upon landing on the beaches.

M1A1 Pack Howitzers were also trialled on halftrack chassis and utilized to great effect in this role as well. Overall, the M1A1 became a classic piece of American artillery design. Portable, potent and very versatile, the system went on to see a great many years of frontline service as the standard light artillery weapon system.©MilitaryFactory.com
Note: The above text is EXCLUSIVE to the site www.MilitaryFactory.com. It is the product of many hours of research and work made possible with the help of contributors, veterans, insiders, and topic specialists. If you happen upon this text anywhere else on the internet or in print, please let us know at MilitaryFactory AT gmail DOT com so that we may take appropriate action against the offender / offending site and continue to protect this original work.

Specifications



Service Year
1927

Origin
United States national flag graphic
United States

Crew
6
CREWMEN
Production
4,939
UNITS


National flag of China National flag of France National flag of South Korea National flag of Taiwan National flag of Turkey National flag of the United Kingdom National flag of the United States National flag of Vietnam National flag of Yugoslavia France; China; North Vietnam; Taiwan; South Korea; South Vietnam; Turkey; United Kingdom; United States; Vietnam; Yugoslavia
(OPERATORS list includes past, present, and future operators when applicable)
Fire Support / Assault / Breaching
Support allied forces through direct / in-direct fire, assault forward positions, and / or breach fortified areas of the battlefield.


Weight
2,341 lb
1,062 kg
Tonnage
1.2 tons
LIGHT
(Showcased structural values pertain to the base M1 Pack Howitzer / M116 production variant. Length typically includes main gun in forward position if applicable to the design)
1 x 75mm gun barrel


Supported Types


Graphical image of an artillery gun tube/barrel


(Not all weapon types may be represented in the showcase above)
Dependent on ammunition carrier. HE, HEAT-T, Smoke, Chemical, Practice and Blank projectile types available.


M1 - Base designation field model
M1A1 - World War 2 standard model
M2 - M1 variant modified for M8 Motor Gun Carriage chassis use.
M3 - Vehicle mounted variant
M8 - Airborne modified variant
M116 - Post-World War 2 Designation
M120 - Post-World War 2 Designation of ceremonial Pack guns.


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Ribbon graphics not necessarily indicative of actual historical campaign ribbons. Ribbons are clickable to their respective campaigns / operations.

Images Gallery



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Image of the M1 Pack Howitzer / M116
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Image of the M1 Pack Howitzer / M116
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