"American Artillery"

[Mark W. Tonner]

Originally Posted by Gerry McGinty

that the reason quoted was that there was a sudden shortage of ammo. for the 105mms. and that as a temporary measure the British guns were loaned to the Americans.

Hi Gerry;

The shortage of 105mm howitzer ammunition started as early as Normandy and plagued the Americans late into 1944. This was brought about by both problems with manufacture in the United States and shipment overseas and by problems of cross channel supply and logistics within the United States Com Zone ETOUSA on the continent itself. There were restrictions placed on the use of 105mm howitzer ammunition (ie. X number of rounds per) until the supply situation was sorted out, but I haven’t come across anything that even suggested that 25 pounders were lent or issued to the Americans (and it may be, that I myself just haven’t come across this information yet, but I find it odd that 25pdrs would be lent or issued to American artillery batteries in North West Europe). The American batteries themselves, due to shortages and restrictions on the amount of 105mm howitzer ammunition they could fire, supplemented their firepower by the use of captured field pieces and ammunition during this time.

Cheers