Page 372 - (DK) Smithsinian - Military History: The Definitive Visual Guide to the Objects of Warfare

370 ARTILLERY ◀ 40MM BOFORS Considered to be one of the

1914–1945 The story of artillery in World War II was one of ANTI-AIRCRAFT GUN finest anti-aircraft guns of

the war, combining accuracy,
Date 1934
range, and a decent-sized
Origin Sweden
projectile, the Bofors was
evolution from the firepower of the previous world
Weight 2.6 tons (2.4 tonnes)
exported throughout the
war. Field pieces gradually became more mobile, ranges
world, and used by both
1
Length 7 ⁄4ft (2.25m)
flexibility. One new development, however, was the
ARS increased, and radio communications improved tactical Caliber 40mm Axis and Allied armies.
1
Range 4 ⁄2 miles (7.2km)
widespread introduction of rocket artillery, such as
the German Nebelwerfer, which were able to cover
Automatic
ammunition feed
large areas with a carpet of high explosive. Artillery
ORLD W continued to play a key role in both attack and defence, Road wheels
and this was the reason that the Soviet armed forces
described it as the “Red God of War.”
THE W ▼ 50MM LIGHT MORTAR 36 Stabilizing
Date 1936
Origin Germany outrigger Muzzle brake
Weight 31lb (14kg)
Caliber 50mm
Range 568 ⁄2 yards (520m)
1
Despite its designation as a light
mortar, with the tube and baseplate
combined the M36 was a somewhat
heavy mortar, and its complex and
costly design led to it being phased Long 40-caliber barrel
out of service from 1941.

▶ 155MM M1A1 GUN The M1A1 was the
Date 1941 mainstay of US long-range
Carrying Origin US artillery during World War II,
handle capable of firing a 95lb (43kg)
Weight 15.3 tons (13.9 tonnes) high-explosive shell. Other ammunition
Length 24ft (7.36m) included smoke, chemical, illuminating,
and even anti-tank rounds.
Caliber 155mm
1
Range 14 ⁄2 miles (23.22km) Muzzle of short
howitzer barrel

Baseplate

▼ 122MM M1938 HOWITZER Also known as the M30, this
Date 1939 field howitzer was a mainstay
of the Red Army’s artillery
Origin Soviet Union
division. Maintained by a
Weight 3.4 tons (3.1 tonnes) crew of eight, it was capable
Length 19 ⁄4ft (5.9m) of a rate of fire of six rounds
1
per minute.
Caliber 122mm
1
Range 7 ⁄2 miles (11.8km)
▲ 75MM M1A1
PACK HOWITZER
Date 1940
Origin US
Steel wheels and pneumatic Weight 1,440lb (653kg)
tires of M8 carriage
Length 12ft (3.68m)
Caliber 75mm
1
Range 5 ⁄2 miles (8.79km)
Recoil Trail handles
system Developed for use on rough
terrain, where it could be broken
down into separate pieces to be
carried by pack animals, the
lightweight M1A1 howitzer was
also successfully assigned to US
airborne forces.