2 pounder AT fired on wheels

[Doug Knight]

Hi

My understanding is that the British tactical experiments in the 1920s and 1930s indicated that anti-tank guns had to be prepared to meet threats from unexpected directions. As a result they wrote all-round traverse into the specification and this resulted in the platform with the three-trail base.

There was a significant difference in the Mark I and II carriages. The Mark I had a front leg that folded up and two angled legs that split for firing or joined together to be the towing leg. The wheels were permanently attached and rotated up off the ground.

The Mark II reversed this with the single (now rear) leg with the towing hook and the side legs folding up beside the shield. The wheels were removed completely for firing.

The wheels were fitted with a quick release and it was a handspike lift and yank to get them off - essentially seconds. If the tanks were approaching rapidly, this provide additional motivation. However, keep in mind that the British frequently portee'd the guns in the desert, and fired them from the truck.

Doug