Fort Sill in Comanche County, Oklahoma — The American South (West South Central)

U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer Marker

Inscription. The M1 240mm Howitzer entered service in 1943 and first saw operational use at Anzio Beachhead, Italy, in January 1944. Along with the 8-inch Gun the M1, which was mounted on the same carriage, the 240mm howitzer played a part in destroying the railway gun, Anzio Annie. The 240mm howitzer saw extensive service in the European Theater of Operation and in the Pacific, especially in reducing reinforced masonry targets. It was highly valued for counter-battery fire and for its capability to destroy key bridges at long ranges, which isolated enemy troops on the battlefield. It was used in the attack on the monastery at Monte Cassino. During the Korean War, two battalions fielded these howitzers that were brought out of mothballs. They were 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 than those on hand. The 240mm howitzer traveled on two large trailers pulled by tracked tractors. The digging and assembly for its emplacement was sped up by a battery crane with a clam-shell bucket. This 240mm Howitzer is exhibited as

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it was transported with tube and carriage carried separately on their six-wheeled trailers.

Caliber - 9.4 in. - 240 mm
Weight - 64,700 lbs. - 29,347 kg
Range - 25,224 yds. - 23,056 m
Shell Weight - 360 lbs - 163 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 2,300 ft/sec. - 701 m/sec.
Elevation (-15 to + 50 degrees) - (-267 to +1156 mils)
Traverse - 30 degrees - 533 mils
Rate of Fire - 1 rpm
CCN# 102953

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 370.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is January 1944.

Location. 34° 39.988′ N, 98° 23.149′ W. Marker is in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road. The marker is located in the central section of Artillery Park at the U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Fort Sill OK 73503, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Oklahoma’s Kiowa Tribe,

in the Comanche Nation,

and in Southwest Oklahoma.

The M3A1 Carriage Transport Wagon and M1 240mm Howitzer (background) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. The M3A1 Carriage Transport Wagon and M1 240mm Howitzer (background)

It is also in the American South,

specifically on the prairies,

and on the Southern Plains.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the Comanchería,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Louisiana Purchase.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: U.S. M1A1 Cannon and M3A1 Carriage Transport Wagons (here, next to this marker); Japanese Type 90 75mm Field Gun (a few steps from this marker); Japanese Type 41 75mm Regimental Gun (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M4 Lacrosse Missile (a few steps from this marker); Soviet M1931/37 122mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Italian Semovente M149/40 Self-Propelled Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M40 155mm Gun Motor Carriage (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Sill.

More about this marker. Marker and Museum are located

The U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer and Marker

on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public, but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on September 21, 2022. It was originally submitted on September 20, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 1,404 times since then and 195 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 21, 2022, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.