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.

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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.

Specifications

Service Year

1927

Origin

United States

Crew

6
CREWMEN

Production

4,939
UNITS

State Factories - USA

(View other Vehicle-Related Manufacturers)

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)

Powerplant: None. This is a towed artillery piece.

Range

5.4 mi
(8.7 km)

(Showcased performance specifications pertain to the base M1 Pack Howitzer / M116 production variant. Compare this entry against any other in our database)

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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