Ranville in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe

L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm)
⎯⎯⎯
25 Pounder Field Gun

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

1. L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm) / 25 Pounder Field Gun Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

French:
Utilisé à partir de février 1940, c'était l'obusier de campagne standard des armées britanniques et du Commonwealth pendant la seconde guerre mondiale. D'un calibre de 87.6 mm, il était capable de tirer des munitions explosives, fumigènes ou perforantes pesant 25 livres (11 kg). Les quatre différentes charges propulsives permettaient plusieurs portées et surtout d'atteindre des cibles sous couvert dans des bois ou derrière des collines. La portée maximale était de 12 250 mètres. L'équipage était composé de six hommes mais quatre artilleurs pouvaient facilement faire fonctionner cette pièce. La plateforme circulaire sous le canon permettait aux soldats de le faire pivoter très rapidement. Un tracteur tout terrain, le "Quad", remorquait le canon et un chariot à munitions transportant 32 obus ainsi que divers outils et matériels. Afin de doter l'armée britannique d'une artillerie mobile, le "25 livres" fut aussi monté sur des châssis de chars canadiens, ce qui donna naissance au canon automoteur "Sexton". Il s'avéra très efficace en soutien d'infanterie au cours de la campagne d'Europe.

English:
Introduced

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

into service in 1940, the 25-pounder was the main field artillery weapon in the British and Commonwealth armies throughout the Second World War. It was capable of firing high explosive, smoke and armour piercing ammunition and its four propellant charges allowed a variety of trajectories for given ranges, enabling targets, for example, behind cover of woods and hills to be engaged. The maximum range with high explosive shells was 12,250 metres. A full gun detachment consisted of six men, although four men could operate the gun quite readily. The circular firing platform, underneath the gun, enabled the 25-pdr to be repositioned by its crew with ease when faced with multiple direct fire targets. The 25-pounder was towed by a four-wheel drive vehicle called a "Quad". The gun was connected to the vehicle by an ammunitiorrlimber, which carried 32 rounds as well as various essential stores and tools. In order to give the British army a mobile artillery gun, the 25-pounder was also mounted on a Canadian tank chassis and become the «Sexton» Self-Propelled Gun. It proved very effective in North Western-Europe giving accurate fire support to the infantry.

Erected by Memorial Pegasus and Museum. (Marker Number 32.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.

Location.

25 Pounder Field Gun and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

2. 25 Pounder Field Gun and Marker

49° 14.571′ N, 0° 16.3′ W. Marker is in Ranville, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Av. Major John Howard and Normandie Route D514 on Av. Major John Howard. The marker is located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Av Major John Howard, Ranville, Normandie 14860, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony

and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Les Dents de Dragons / Dragons Teeth (here, next to this marker); Le Général de Brigade James Hill, D.S.O** M.С. / Brigadier James Hill D.S.O** М.С. (a few steps from this marker); Le Char Centaur MK IV / Centaur Tank MK IV (a few steps from this marker); Le Canon Anti Char de 17 Livres (76.2mm) / The 17 Pounder Anti-tank Gun (within shouting distance of this marker); Vidette (within shouting distance of this marker); The Veterans Charity (within shouting distance of this marker); 'Coup de Main' Glider Operation Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Obusier de 5.5 pouces (140 mm) / 5.5 Inch Gun (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranville.

More about this marker. The static displays and markers are located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. There is an entrance fee to visit the museum and markers.

Also see . . .

25 Pounder Field Gun image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

3. 25 Pounder Field Gun

25 Pounder Field Gun. (Submitted on June 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

Credits. This page was last revised on July 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 29, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 98 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 1, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.

L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm)⎯⎯⎯25 Pounder Field Gun

L'Obusier de 25 Livres (87.6 mm)
⎯⎯⎯
25 Pounder Field Gun