American Field Artillery, 1941-1945 (the Equipment of the U.S. Army..Paul Gaujac
THE EQUIPMENT OF THE US ARMY
AMERICAN FIELD
ARTILLARY
Written by Paul Gaujac
Soft cover with 81 Pages, 58 Colour Photographs, 75 Black and White Photographs
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Upon entering the war, American Field artillery, which essentially had at its disposal 75 mm guns inherited from the Great War, had fallen behind both technically and in implementation. The initial effort was made in divisional artillery and then, in 1943, in more powerful heavy artillery to make up for the deficiencies of the air forces in close support for the troops. However, although the quality of the material and the shells, together with efficient training of the artillerymen were essential, numerous and efficient radio means, observation planes attached to units and artillery tractors enabled the guns to achieve maximum efficiency by allowing them to shoot rapidly and accurately, whatever the terrain and n any weather. Therefore, American field artillery was, with 300 battalions at the beginning of 1945, the most powerful and the most modern in the world.
Contents listing:
1 US Field Artillery From WWI to WWII
Up to the First World War
The lessons of the Great War
The reforms of the inter-war period
The Situation on the eve of the second worldwide conflict
The kick start of 1940-41
Large-scale manoeuvres
Put on a war footing
Readjustments up until the close of operations in Europe
II Operational Use
“The finest artillery in the world”
Field artillery in action
Employment at divisional level
Employment at corps level
Fire direction and control
Ammunition
Liaison and observation
The field artillery observation battalion
Mobility
III The Artillery of the Infantry Divisions
The infantry division
The “triangular” division
The manpower shortage
The divisional artillery headquarters
105 mm Howitzer M2A1, Carriage M2A2
The light direct support battalion
The medium general support battalion
Moves towards redeployment
155 mm Howitzer M1, Carriage M1A1
155 mm Howitzer M1918, Carriage M1918A3
IV The Artillery of The Specialized Divisions
The experimental motorized divisions
A project cut short
The light divisions
Jeeps, mules and handcarts
The 71st and 89th Light Divisions
The 10th Mountain Division
By Parachute and Glider
The Airborne Division
Airborne artillery in action
75 mm Pack Howitzer M1A1, Carriages M1, M3 & M8
Artillery of the cavalry divisions
V The Artillery of the Armoured Divisions
The “Heavy” Armoured Division
The “Light” Armoured Division
The self-propelled 105 mm Battalion in 1943
105 mm Howitzer Motor, Carriage T19
105 mm Howitzer Motor, Carriage M
VI Light and Medium Artillery of the General Reserve
The reforms of 1943
Corps. Brigades and groups
Field Artillery Battalions (75 mm Pack)
Field Artillery Battalions (105 mm Howitzer)
Armoured Field Battalions
4.5inch Gun M1, Carriage M1A1
Field Artillery Battalions (155 mm Howitzer)
VII Heavy Artillery of The General Reserve
Heavy Artillery problems
155 mm Gun M1, Carriage M1A1
Field Artillery Battalions (155 mm Gun)
Field Artillery Batt. (155 mm Gun, Self-propelled
155 mm Gun Motor, Carriage M1
Field Artillery Battalions (8inch Howitzer)
8-inch Howitzer M1, Carriage M1
Field Artillery Battalions (240 mm Howitzer)
240 mm Howitzer M1, Carriage M1
Field Artillery Battalions (8-inch Gun)
8-inch Gun M1, Carriage M2
VIII The “Auxiliary” Artillery
Rocket Field Artillery Battalions (4.5-inch Rockets)
Chemical Battalions (Motorized)
Chemical Motar Battalions
Infantry Cannon Companie
105 mm Howitzer M3, Carriages M3 & M3A1
Tank Destroyers
75 mm Howitzer Motor, Carriage T30
Tanks, Assault Guns and Antiaircraft Guns
IX Conclusions
X Acknowledgements & Bibliography