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

British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

1. British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun Marker

Inscription. The "Five Five" entered service in the summer of 1941 and saw heavy use with British and Commonwealth Armies in World War II, the Korean War and other conflicts into the 1970s. Developed during the 1930's, the gun was designed to replace the 6-inch howitzer. The gun featured a pair of hydro-pneumatic equilibrators (vertical "horns" on either side of the tube) that kept the tube balanced. A 100-lb. shell, with a maximum range of 16,200 yards, was initially used. In 1944, an 82-lb. shell was introduced that gave both more explosive power and a longer range out to 18,100 yards. It became the standard medium British gun at Corps and Army Group level for the remainder of World War II. It first entered combat with the 8th Army in North Africa. During the war, a regiment consisted of 16 guns organized in two batteries. Between D-Day and the German surrender, the "Five Five" fired 2,610,747 rounds. The "Five Five" was produced in four different Marks, with the first three serving during World War II and the fourth introduced after the war. The differences between the four Marks were primarily in construction with rivets being replaced

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Caliber - 5.5 in. - 140 mm
Weight - 13,646 lbs. - 6,190 kg
Range - 18,100 yds. - 16,550 m
Shell Weight - 80 lbs. - 36.3 kg
Muzzle Velocity - 1,950 ft/sec. - 511 m/sec.
Elevation - (-5 to + 45 degrees) - (- 90 to + 800 mils)
Traverse - 60 degrees - 1,020 mils
Rate of Fire - 3 rpm
CCN# 107692

Erected by U.S. Army Field Artillery Museum. (Marker Number 280.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Korean • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1941.

Location. 34° 40.016′ N, 98° 23.138′ 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 at or near this postal address: 304 Corral Road, 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.

It is also in the American South,

specifically on

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

2. British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun Marker

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. M21 4.5-inch Rocket Launcher (here, next to this marker); U.S. MGR-1 Honest John Rocket (a few steps from this marker); U.S. JB-2 Loon Guided Missile (a few steps from this marker); U.S. M37 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); Soviet M1931/37 122mm Field Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer (within shouting distance of this marker); U.S. M1 8-Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); XM-104 105mm Self-Propelled Gun (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 on Fort Sill, an active U.S. military installation. The museum is open to the public,

The British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, September 9, 2021

3. The British 5.5-Inch Mark IV Field Gun and Marker

but appropriate identification is required for access for Fort Sill.

Also see . . . U.S. Army Artillery Museum. (Submitted on February 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on February 18, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 17, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 302 times since then and 26 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 18, 2023, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.