105 mm Howitzer M3

The 105 mm Howitzer M3 was a U.S. light howitzer designed for use by airborne troops. The gun utilized the barrel of the 105 mm Howitzer M2, shortened and fitted to a slightly modified split trail carriage of the 75 mm pack howitzer.

The howitzer was used by the U.S. Army during World War II. It was issued to airborne units and to cannon companies of infantry regiments.

Development and production

The process of building airborne forces in 1941 led to a requirement for an air portable 105 mm howitzer. The weapon, initially designated T7, featured a barrel from the 105mm Howitzer M2, shortened by 27 inches (690 mm) and combined with a recoil system and carriage of the 75 mm field howitzer. A prototype reached trials at Aberdeen Proving Ground in March 1942.^[1]

The howitzer was designed to fire the same ammunition as the longer M2. It turned out, however, that shorter barrel resulted in incomplete burning of the propelling charge. The problem could be solved by use of faster burning powder. Otherwise the design was considered acceptable and was standardized as 105mm Howitzer M3 on Carriage M3. The carriage was soon succeeded by M3A1, which had trails made from thicker plate. Even stronger tubular trails were designed, but never reached production.^[1]

The production started in February 1943 and continued until May 1944; an additional bunch was produced in April-June 1945.^[1]

Service

Even though the M3 was not mentioned in Tables of Organization and Equipment (TO&E) of February 1944, shortly before the Normandy Airdrops some airborne divisions received 105 mm glider field artillery battalion, in addition to three 75 mm howitzer battalions. 1/4 ton jeeps were used as prime movers. The weapon was finally authorized as an option by the December 1944 TO&E and, by 1945, employed by all airborne divisions in the European Theater.^[1][3]

The M3 was also issued to cannon companies of infantry regiments (six , in three platoons of two). Infantry typically used 1 1/2 ton truck as the prime mover.^[1]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/105_mm_Howitzer_M3