240 mm howitzer M1
Encyclopedia
The 240 mm howitzer M1, popularly nicknamed the "Black Dragon", was a towed howitzer
used by the United States Army
. The 240 mm M1 was designed to replace the World War I era 240 mm Howitzer M1918 which was based on a 1911 French design and was outdated by World War II.
The project to replace the M1918 began in 1941. The 240 mm howitzer was the most powerful weapon deployed by US field artillery
units during World War II
, able to fire a 360 lb (163.3 kg) high explosive projectile
25,225 yards (23 km). It was the largest field piece used by the US Army during the war except for naval ordnance adapted into railway gun
s. The weapon addressed the requirement for super heavy field artillery
capable of attacking heavily reinforced targets like those likely to be found along the West Wall
. It was designed together with the longer ranged 8 inch Gun M1
and they both shared a related carriage.
The 240 mm howitzer M1 proved very valuable against difficult targets such as heavy concrete fortifications. It, along with its super heavy artillery
8 inch gun design-mate saw considerable action during World War II in Europe
. These weapons were also used in the Pacific campaign
, notably in the Battle of Manila, but few targets justified the need for them. After World War II, the 240 mm howitzer was retained by the US army and deployed in the Korean War
. It remained in US service until ammunition stocks were exhausted in the late 50s.
As of 2010, the 240 mm howitzer M1 is still in service with the Republic of China Army
, stationed in hardened bunkers of the frontline Kinmen
and Matsu Islands
.
in September 1943. Its debut was an instant success, along with the 8 inches (203.2 mm) gun (which was deployed later at Anzio in April 1944) – super heavy artillery was used as counter-battery fire
against German guns in their class. Their fire was accurate enough to not only knock enemy artillery out of action but also to destroy targets as small as German
heavy tank
s. US super heavy artillery also played a role in countering the infamous Anzio Annie railway gun and putting it out of action.
In Italy, the 240 mm Howitzer was highly valued for its capability to destroy key bridges at long range. Army Ordnance officers credited the "devastating fire power and incredible accuracy" of the 240mm howitzer in playing a decisive role in the Italian Campaign
. During the Battle of Monte Cassino
, the weapon was used in the final destruction of the monastery at Monte Cassino
already damaged by air attacks. In the Italian theater
, a small number of the 240 mm howitzers also saw action in the service of the British Eighth Army.
Despite of their initial misgivings over the deployment of such a heavy and unwieldy weapon, 5th Army commanders dubbed the 240 mm Howitzer as, "the most generally satisfactory weapon" in service in 1944. The 240 mm howitzer would go on to see extensive service in the Western Front
reducing reinforced targets requiring super heavy artillery.
During the Korean war
, twelve 240 mm howitzers were brought out of 'mothballs' and sent to the front lines to deal with deep bunkers and fortifications built by the Chinese
that could not be effectively attacked by smaller artillery weapons then on hand. They were utilized in two units in Korea, the 213th and 159th Field Artilleries. The weapons went into action on May 1, 1953. On that day, the first round was fired by Baker battery 213th at a target on top of a hill called ‘the donut’ by aerial observer
s. The first round was just supposed to be a ceremonial shot, however it struck an ammo dump directly on top of ‘the donut’ which set off a chain reaction and blew part of the top of the hill off in a spectacular fashion.
In late 1950s, around thirty M1s were transferred to the Republic of China
and stationed in the frontline Kinmen
and Matsu Islands
. The guns were put on rails to enable the howitzers to deploy outside for fire missions and to retreat inside their hardened bunkers/tunnels for protection (capable of withstanding a 500-pound bomb's direct hit) when needed.
chassis that had an extra bogie wheel per side as the T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage
, but the war ended before it could be used and was later scrapped.
Howitzer
A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent...
used by the United States Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The 240 mm M1 was designed to replace the World War I era 240 mm Howitzer M1918 which was based on a 1911 French design and was outdated by World War II.
The project to replace the M1918 began in 1941. The 240 mm howitzer was the most powerful weapon deployed by US field artillery
United States Army Field Artillery Corps
The Field Artillery branch was founded on 17 November 1775 by the Continental Congress, which unanimously elected Henry Knox "Colonel of the Regiment of Artillery". The regiment formally entered service on 1 January 1776...
units during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, able to fire a 360 lb (163.3 kg) high explosive projectile
Shell (projectile)
A shell is a payload-carrying projectile, which, as opposed to shot, contains an explosive or other filling, though modern usage sometimes includes large solid projectiles properly termed shot . Solid shot may contain a pyrotechnic compound if a tracer or spotting charge is used...
25,225 yards (23 km). It was the largest field piece used by the US Army during the war except for naval ordnance adapted into railway gun
Railway gun
A railway gun, also called a railroad gun, is a large artillery piece, often surplus naval ordnance, mounted on, transported by, and fired from a specially designed railway wagon. Many countries have built railway guns, but the best known are the large Krupp-built pieces used by Germany in World...
s. The weapon addressed the requirement for super heavy field artillery
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
capable of attacking heavily reinforced targets like those likely to be found along the West Wall
Siegfried Line
The original Siegfried line was a line of defensive forts and tank defences built by Germany as a section of the Hindenburg Line 1916–1917 in northern France during World War I...
. It was designed together with the longer ranged 8 inch Gun M1
8 inch Gun M1
The 8 inch Gun M-1 was a 203 mm towed heavy gun developed in the United States. It was used by the US Army and the British Army in World War II.-Development:...
and they both shared a related carriage.
The 240 mm howitzer M1 proved very valuable against difficult targets such as heavy concrete fortifications. It, along with its super heavy artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
8 inch gun design-mate saw considerable action during World War II in Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
. These weapons were also used in the Pacific campaign
Pacific War
The Pacific War, also sometimes called the Asia-Pacific War refers broadly to the parts of World War II that took place in the Pacific Ocean, its islands, and in East Asia, then called the Far East...
, notably in the Battle of Manila, but few targets justified the need for them. After World War II, the 240 mm howitzer was retained by the US army and deployed in the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. It remained in US service until ammunition stocks were exhausted in the late 50s.
As of 2010, the 240 mm howitzer M1 is still in service with the Republic of China Army
Republic of China Army
The ROC Army's current operational strength includes 3 armies, 5 corps. As of 2005, the Army's 35 brigades include 25 infantry brigades, 5 armoured brigades and 3 mechanized infantry brigades...
, stationed in hardened bunkers of the frontline Kinmen
Kinmen
Kinmen , also known as Quemoy , is a small archipelago of several islands administered by the Republic of China : Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen, and some islets. Administratively, it is Kinmen County of Fujian Province, ROC. The county is claimed by the People's Republic of China as part of its...
and Matsu Islands
Matsu Islands
The Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC...
.
Service
The first operational use of the super heavy 240 mm Howitzer was by the U.S. 5th Army at the Anzio Beachhead in ItalyItaly
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
in September 1943. Its debut was an instant success, along with the 8 inches (203.2 mm) gun (which was deployed later at Anzio in April 1944) – super heavy artillery was used as counter-battery fire
Counter-battery fire
Counter-battery fire is a type of mission assigned to military artillery forces, which are given the task of locating and firing upon enemy artillery.-Background:...
against German guns in their class. Their fire was accurate enough to not only knock enemy artillery out of action but also to destroy targets as small as German
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
heavy tank
Heavy tank
A heavy tank was a subset of tank that filled the heavy direct-fire role of many armies.Heavy tanks have usually been deployed to breakthrough enemy lines, though in practice have been more useful in the defensive role than in the attack...
s. US super heavy artillery also played a role in countering the infamous Anzio Annie railway gun and putting it out of action.
In Italy, the 240 mm Howitzer was highly valued for its capability to destroy key bridges at long range. Army Ordnance officers credited the "devastating fire power and incredible accuracy" of the 240mm howitzer in playing a decisive role in the Italian Campaign
Italian Campaign (World War II)
The Italian Campaign of World War II was the name of Allied operations in and around Italy, from 1943 to the end of the war in Europe. Joint Allied Forces Headquarters AFHQ was operationally responsible for all Allied land forces in the Mediterranean theatre, and it planned and commanded the...
. During the Battle of Monte Cassino
Battle of Monte Cassino
The Battle of Monte Cassino was a costly series of four battles during World War II, fought by the Allies against Germans and Italians with the intention of breaking through the Winter Line and seizing Rome.In the beginning of 1944, the western half of the Winter Line was being anchored by Germans...
, the weapon was used in the final destruction of the monastery at Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino is a rocky hill about southeast of Rome, Italy, c. to the west of the town of Cassino and altitude. St. Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, here around 529. It was the site of Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944...
already damaged by air attacks. In the Italian theater
Theater (warfare)
In warfare, a theater, is defined as an area or place within which important military events occur or are progressing. The entirety of the air, land, and sea area that is or that may potentially become involved in war operations....
, a small number of the 240 mm howitzers also saw action in the service of the British Eighth Army.
Despite of their initial misgivings over the deployment of such a heavy and unwieldy weapon, 5th Army commanders dubbed the 240 mm Howitzer as, "the most generally satisfactory weapon" in service in 1944. The 240 mm howitzer would go on to see extensive service in the Western Front
Western Front (World War II)
The Western Front of the European Theatre of World War II encompassed, Denmark, Norway, Luxembourg, Belgium, the Netherlands, France, and West Germany. The Western Front was marked by two phases of large-scale ground combat operations...
reducing reinforced targets requiring super heavy artillery.
During the Korean war
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
, twelve 240 mm howitzers were brought out of 'mothballs' and sent to the front lines to deal with deep bunkers and fortifications built by the Chinese
People's Liberation Army
The People's Liberation Army is the unified military organization of all land, sea, strategic missile and air forces of the People's Republic of China. The PLA was established on August 1, 1927 — celebrated annually as "PLA Day" — as the military arm of the Communist Party of China...
that could not be effectively attacked by smaller artillery weapons then on hand. They were utilized in two units in Korea, the 213th and 159th Field Artilleries. The weapons went into action on May 1, 1953. On that day, the first round was fired by Baker battery 213th at a target on top of a hill called ‘the donut’ by aerial observer
Aerial observer
Aerial Observer- Air Force Reconnaissance.An Aerial Observer is the functional position of gathering information visually from an airborne platform for use by military or commercial purposes. This history started when the first balloons were flown in Europe...
s. The first round was just supposed to be a ceremonial shot, however it struck an ammo dump directly on top of ‘the donut’ which set off a chain reaction and blew part of the top of the hill off in a spectacular fashion.
In late 1950s, around thirty M1s were transferred to the Republic of China
Republic of China
The Republic of China , commonly known as Taiwan , is a unitary sovereign state located in East Asia. Originally based in mainland China, the Republic of China currently governs the island of Taiwan , which forms over 99% of its current territory, as well as Penghu, Kinmen, Matsu and other minor...
and stationed in the frontline Kinmen
Kinmen
Kinmen , also known as Quemoy , is a small archipelago of several islands administered by the Republic of China : Greater Kinmen, Lesser Kinmen, and some islets. Administratively, it is Kinmen County of Fujian Province, ROC. The county is claimed by the People's Republic of China as part of its...
and Matsu Islands
Matsu Islands
The Matsu Islands are a minor archipelago of 19 islands and islets in the Taiwan Strait administered as Lienchiang County , Fujian Province of the Republic of China . Only a small area of what is historically Lienchiang County is under the control of the ROC...
. The guns were put on rails to enable the howitzers to deploy outside for fire missions and to retreat inside their hardened bunkers/tunnels for protection (capable of withstanding a 500-pound bomb's direct hit) when needed.
Self-propelled mount
A self-propelled version was made by mounted on a stretched Heavy Tank T26E3M26 Pershing
The Heavy Tank M26 Pershing was an American heavy tank briefly used in World War II and in the Korean War. It was named after General John Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I....
chassis that had an extra bogie wheel per side as the T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage
T92 Howitzer Motor Carriage
The 240 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage T92 was self-propelled howitzer developed by the United States of America during World War II.The 240 mm M1 howitzer was mounted on a slightly modified Heavy Tank T26E3 later chassis - it used an extra bogie wheel, to bring a total of seven.A limited...
, but the war ended before it could be used and was later scrapped.
External links
- "240 mm Howitzer", Tony Sobiesky, Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- "M1 240 mm Howitzer", Globalsecurity.org, Retrieved on 2007-05-25.
- British Artillery in World War II
- Biggest Guns On Wheels July 1945 Popular SciencePopular SciencePopular Science is an American monthly magazine founded in 1872 carrying articles for the general reader on science and technology subjects. Popular Science has won over 58 awards, including the ASME awards for its journalistic excellence in both 2003 and 2004...
article – very detailed