Quote:
Originally Posted by tankbarrell
I found a reference to that in an official history.
In The development of artillery tactics and equipment, published in 1951 by the War Office, it states that '100 old 3" 20 cwt guns were collected, provided with a special 12 1/2 lb. shot and mounted half in Churchill tanks and half on 17-pr carriages, the production of which was in advance of that of the guns. The Churchill mounting was handicapped by its small internal traverse-only 7 degrees- and the guns so mounted were allotted for home defence only. Of the remaining 50 on 17-pr carriages, 25 were allotted to the Middle East and 25 to Home Forces.'
The reference to production of 17-pr carriages being in advance to that of the guns rather contradicts the idea that 17/25 pr came about due to a shortage of carriages for the 17-pr.
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Very interesting, I'm glad there is something behind it. The Churchill Gun Carriers were built in 1942 with Canadians sent off for training just before Dieppe. Which suggests that your point about the carriage/gun mismatch is even more relevant.
I had a working theory that it could be down to barrels removed for Fireflies until it became apparent that; the 17pdr in the Firefly isn't the same as any other vehicle or field mounted gun, possibly due to separate Australian work on the Sentinel 17pdr, also by then (1944) the carriage/gun production seemed to be working out to the extent that guns were widely available in Italy which tended to get stuff later than Home/Invasion Forces.
Several sources state that the 17/25pdrs were returned to the UK after N. Africa possibly they got the 3" barrels? According to Rob's link in the first post 150 built by Weirs, 100 had their barrels removed and put on standard 17 pdr carriages leaving 50 to start the Italian Campaign. 100 3" barrels available less 50 for Churchill Gun Carriers. Hmm...... I've just sent an email to Weirs asking if there is any more information available. I'll keep everybody informed.