Howitzer 105mm M2A1 on carriage M2: principles of operation

United States War Department training film TF9-2050. An introduction to the US Army M2A1 105mm Howitzer, general description and principles of operation. Includes scenes of 105mm Howitzers in action.

[@bradjohnson4787]

Love these old training films!

[@jgranger3532]

Thanks for posting this. This was real engineering in 1940 this is still in service in the third world.

[@gunnersteinbeck235]

WW2 gun that in 1984 I put Vietnam era rounds through. Back then the Hamell guns were not far away from being assessed by the Australian government. Over 6 years later the army adopted the Hamell.

[@lonzo61]

I"m thankful that this vid was posted. My use of my M2A1 howitzer has now greatly improved. Prior to watching this film, I was dropping rounds on nearby towns and villages without any knowledge of how I managed that. It was frustrating, and caused me occasional issues with the townsfolk (so touchy). So, since watching this film several times now, I have dropped 100% of my HE rounds right where I wanted them: on WOKE America HQ!!!

[@brucetenet6140]

THANK YOU FOR POSTING THIS. Helped me a lot.

[@frankiemakinster2830]

A fine weapon. Though never had to shoot a beehive round.

[@nanalop541]

whats the diffrent between M2A1and M2A2

[@johnchoate6909]

I would like to see a comparison of the M2A1 to the German 105mm Lefh-18. At a glance the M2 appears to be the superior weapon...

[@pimpompoom93726]

The US design was more adapted to high volume production. The breech block in particular had far less components than the German design. That much I do know.

[@johnchoate6909]

@@pimpompoom93726 I believe M2A1 also used fixed ammunition , which had to be easier and faster to load than the German 105mm separate loading. Also , the pressed steel wheels on the German howitzer couldn't have been nearly as good hauling it over any kind of terrain than the American rubber tires...

[@pimpompoom93726]

Exactly, but I can see why the Germans did it this way. They lacked access to natural latex rubber and would have had to use petroleum to create synthetic rubber. And petroleum was VERY scarce for the Germans. Each nation played to it's strengths, with the USA it was long experience in high volume production.

[@mikeT4099]

@@johnchoate6909 The shell and cartridge came as one but was seperated before loading as it had , 6 charge bags as it was howitzer and range depended on charge bags used , maximun charge was considered for max range allegedly 12 miles not used normally , so if order was charge 4 the gun number one took charge 5 and 6 so only the 4 charges were put back into cartridge and shell joined with it the loaded and fired ,the leftover charges burnt later

[@michaelbevan3285]

@@pimpompoom93726 the Germans had a long tradition of using steel wheels and solid tyres and the leFH 18 and 18M were simply extensions of WW 1 designs. They expected to use horse drawn artillery in service and their artillery park reflected that. America expected to go to war in a fully mechanised fashion and made sure that every gun it fielded had to be vehicle-towable. Many countries changed their guns to vehicle towing during the interwar period. Incidentally, the Yugoslavian M56 gun is a further development of the 18M and is still in use today, using the German shell or the NATO 105mm shell. I stand to be corrected but the roadwheels on this M2 gun are the same as truck wheels, so that either can swap wheels and tyres. Handy for the supply system.

[@ganigarcia1044]

That breech block extractor demonstration is erroneous.

[@nihasilev]

hala tüm parçalarını, görevlerini, prensiblerini ezberlediğimiz bir obüs topu.. 2023 ve halen serviste, çünkü devlete alınan bir makas bile yüzlerce yıl serviste tutulacak şekilde bakım yapılır.. 1943 üretim, yıl 2023 ve hala hedefleri vurmaya devam ediyor...