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Howitzer From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Ordnance QF 3 inch howitzer was a howitzer fitted to British cruiser and infantry type tanks of the Second World War so they could fire a smoke shell in "close support" of other tanks or infantry. HE shells were also available.
| Ordnance QF 3-inch howitzer "3in Howitzer Ordnance Quick Firing" | |
|---|---|
Mk I Churchill tank with hull-mounted 3-inch howitzer on exercises on Salisbury Plain, January 1942 | |
| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | UK |
| Service history | |
| Used by | British tanks |
| Wars | Second World War |
| Production history | |
| Variants | Mark I, Mark IA |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | 226 lb (103 kg) |
| Length | 78.2 in (1.99 m) |
| Barrel length | 75 in (1.9 m) |
| Calibre | 3 inches (76.2mm) |
| Muzzle velocity | 600 feet per second (180 m/s) |
| Effective firing range | 2,000 yards (1,800 m) |
Earlier British tanks were fitted with a 3.7 in howitzer, based on the QF 3.7-inch mountain howitzer.
The doctrine covering the CS tanks was to "smoke parts of the enemy force" and so isolate them from the battle[1] so the gun tanks could deal with the remainder with a local, if temporary, numerical advantage[2]
While on most tanks the howitzer replaced the turret armament, on the early marks of the Churchill tank, the howitzer was fitted in the front of the hull which, although it allowed the tank to retain its main gun, limited the range and arc of fire.
A few Close Support versions of the Tetrarch light tank.[6]
A field artillery version seems to have been developed or under development in 1941[a]
Later in the war a larger QF 95 mm howitzer was employed for the same purpose.
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