Hi Rich:
Thanks for the link. The six pounders are the early version with the short cylindrical barrel as opposed to the later tapered barrel versions we are most used to seeing.
As more of the later barrels became available, the existing stocks were upgraded, however, many of the early pattern stayed in service right to the end of the war. Both patterns were manufactured in the UK and Canada. The US M1 had many differences from the Commonwealth version, the most obvious being the use of WC style wheels and 9:00x16 tyres.
A couple of interesting things from the photo- the caption states that it is the 3rd echelon so these are likely guns held in RNZOC stocks. They have all their canvas including full covers folded and draped over the shields and many have small crates jammed between the shields- most likely filled with ancillary stores such as gun tools, etc. The right most gun as we look at it, has these crates in plain view. Its neighbour (moving left as we see it) has either a shadow from something off camera or sports a variation of what I refer to as shark's tooth camoflage- our six pounder in the Swords and Ploughshares Museum has the same camo based on a photo from the Italian campaign.
I'll get the exact Mk number for the short barrel when I get access to my reference material or Doug Knight might post the answer for us!
Jif- for slurs against my sloth (he is a lovely little green fella and hangs around in my trees) you are condemned to only drooling on my 8 Cwt from 10 feet... no driving for you!
Mike
