American WWII Artillery and
Howitzers Used in Combat!
WWII American Artillery
Artillery is used against either tanks or infantry, often using armor piercing (AP)
rounds, high explosive (HE) rounds, or smoke (used to provide cover). Another type of
shell was White Phosphorous, also known as Willy Peter. Artillery is most effectively used
in indirect fire, which means the guy firing the gun can't see the target. A spotter must
direct the fire (as in the episode "Billy
the Kid" and others).
The 37 mm anti-tank gun was the standard US Army issue at the start of World
War II. It was ineffective against most armor and was eventually replaced by the 57 mm
anti-tank gun during the war. The 37 mm artillery piece is the gun that the men capture
and carry in the episode "The Gun" (pictured
above). Many of these weapons can still be spotted in front of VFW and American Legion
Halls.
Many scenes of American artillery in Combat! are of a 105 mm
Howitzer. Six Howitzers were assigned to each regiment. This was the most commonly used
artillery weapon. A larger piece was the 155 mm Howitzer (very long barrel), used on
division level.
Large mortars and anti-tank guns are specialized types of artillery; a tank is
basically a mobile artillery gun. ("Ambush,"
"The Duel" etc.).
Artillery was known as the "King of Battle."
Books About WWII Allied / American Artillery
(click on images to see title, price, and availability)
Posters of WWII Artillery
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