75 MM PACK HOWITZER, M8

Pack artillery is designed to be easily disassembled and carried by pack animals such as horses or mules. Pack artillery has been used by the U.S. Army since the 1830’s. In 1927, the U. S. Army adopted the 75mm Pack Howitzer, M1. This small lightweight howitzer was used throughout W.W.II and could be disassembled into six major loads to be carried by the pack animals. The howitzer was first used in combat in 1942 in the Philippines and proved very successful. During the 1930’s, the wood wheels were replaced with pneumatic tires and the vehicle modified to be carried by airborne units in gliders. Consequently, it was redesignated 75mm Pack Howitzer M8, (airborne) as shown above. The small howitzer proved efficient and reliable and was used by several non-airborne units using a jeep as the prime mover. The several types of ammunition used by the pack Howitzer included an anti-tank round.



Technical Data

Weight: 1339 lbs.
Length: 12 ft.
Height: 2 ft. 10 in.
Width: 3 ft. 11 in.
Rate of fire: 3-6 rounds per minute

Copyright 1995 Charles C. Roberts, Jr

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