75mm M1A1 PACK HOWITZER

75mm M1A1 PACK HOWITZER
Image: 75mm M8 Howitzer (USMC)
YearSeptember 1940 (M1A1) October 1941 (M8)
Weapon Type[@type]
Origin & Designer[@designer]
Numbers Produced4.939 (Bot
CrewCorporal/Squad Leader + .30 cal M1 Rifle.
Pvt/Gunner + .30 cal M1 Carbine.
Pvt/Assistant Gunner + .30 cal M1 Carbine.
2 x Pvts/Ammunition Bearers + .30 cal M1 Carbines.
Pvt/Driver (Towing Vehicle) + .30 cal M1 Rifle.
Calibre75mm (75x227R)
Elevation-5° to +45°
Traverse
BreechHorizontal Block
RecoilHydropeumatic
Gun SightM1
Gun Mount[@gun_mounts]
CarriageM1 & M8: Boxed Trail
Trailers[@trailers]
Gun Shield[@gun_shield]
Armoured Plate[@armoured_plate]
Barrel Length1.190mm (L/15.9)
Overall Length3.68m
Width[@width]
Height[@height]
WeightWeight in Transit: 667 kg (M1A1) 6.53 kg (M8)
Weight in Action: 573 kg (M1A1) 6.53 kg (M8)
Round WeightHEAT (M66) 7.39 kg.
HE (M48) 6.27 kg.
Smoke (M64) 8.56 kg.
Muzzle VelocityHEAT 305 m/s.
HE 381 m/s.
Smoke 38
Feed[@feed]
Magazine Capacity[@magazine_capacity]
Practical Rate of Fire6 r.p.m.
Rate of Fire[@rate_of_fire]
Maximum Rate of Fire10 r.p.m.
Maximum Ceiling[@maximum_ceiling]
Maximum Ground Range[@maximum_ground_range]
Maximum RangeHEAT: 6.400m
HE: 8.790m
Smoke: 8
Armour Penetration91mm @ 0 to 6.400m @ 30° (HEAT)
TractionMotorised (Jeep) Pack (six loads M1A1 & seven loads M8)
Variants[@variants]
NotesThe 75mm M1 Pack Howitzer was standardized in 1927 which met the need for a light howitzer capable of being dismantled into six loads for pack transport. It was mounted on the M1 carriage which had steel rimmed spoked wheels and could be used as a pack howitzer and a towed gun. This was modified slightly which resulted in the M1A1. In 1942 the M1A1 was mounted on new lighter carriage, this was the M8 which was designed for airborne use. The M8 carriage was fitted with pneumatic tyres which replaced the steel rimmed spoked wheels that were used on the M1. The M1A1 with M8 carriage could be dismantled into seven loads for pack transport or nine parachute loads. It could also be towed by jeep. The M1A1/M8 saw action on every front with airborne, mountain and marine light artillery batteries. After WW2 the 75mm was re-designated as the M116. It was issued mainly to Light Field Batteries of Airborne and Marine Artillery Regiments and saw service in Korea.