Harris Township near Boalsburg in Centre County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Ordnance QF, 4.5-inch Howitzer Mark II
Pennsylvania Military Museum
British commanders who has fought in the Boer War in South Africa, 1899 to 1903, were impressed with the success of the enemy's howitzers. After five years, the British army approved its own new howitzer. The 4.5-inch howitzers remained in service for 35 years and saw action in both World War I and World War II. The howitzer also served Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. These two guns and limber most likely served with the Canadian Army.
About the Ordnance QF 4.5-inch Howitzer
Weight: 972 lbs.
Caliber: 4.5 inch
Maximum Range: 7,300 yards
Projectile weight: 35 lbs.
Maximum elevation: 45 degrees
Total number produced: 3,359
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, World I • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1899.
Location. 40° 46.858′ N, 77° 47.807′ W. Marker is near Boalsburg, Pennsylvania, in Centre County. It is in Harris Township. Marker is on Old Boalsburg Road, on the right when traveling south. Located in the parking lot for the Pennsylvania Military Museum and 28th Infantry Division Shrine. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Boalsburg PA 16827, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. M59 Armored Personnel Carrier (within shouting distance of this marker); 103rd Engineers (within shouting distance of this marker); Twin 40mm Self-propelled Gun, M42A1 Duster (within shouting distance of this marker); M4A1(76)W General Sherman Tank (within shouting distance of this marker); Headquarters Troop 28th Division (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); 28th Division Shrine (about 300 feet away); Coshocton Train Wreck (about 400 feet away); M114A2 Towed 155mm Howitzer (about 400 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Boalsburg.
More about this marker. Photos of the howitzer in the field carry the captions:
The howitzer brought deadly power to the battlefield. Elevated to 45 degrees, it could drop rounds almost straight down onto enemy fortifications that could not be hit by direct fire.
Horses pulled the first Mark I howitzers like the one shown here during World War I, into battle. In 1938, the British Army adapted the howitzer for mechanized towing. The York, Pennsylvania, firm of Martin-Parry produced the conversion kits for all British field guns mechanized in 1938.
Also see . . . Ordnance QF, 4.5-inch Howitzer. Wikipedia article offering technical details and history of the howitzer. (Submitted on June 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia. This page has been viewed 2,192 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 23, 2009, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.