U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer

U.S. M1 240mm Howitzer. . 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 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