6 pounds gun ATK/Mk II - History, technical details and picture

6 pounds ATK/Mark II history

The British tanks were often beaten by the German tanks, what urged the British engineers to improve and to strengthen their field artillery.

The British 57 mm Mark II gun was intended to replace the 40 mm gun (dating from 1936) mainly to improve its rate of fire. The British engineers began to work on this new model in 1938.

Used for the first time in April 1942 in North Africa, the 6 pounds (57 mm) guns were effective against the German tanks shot in the flanks. Very quickly the British engineers have developed a new shell with a greater penetration force.

Nevertheless, the performance of the Mk II 57 mm gun did not fully meet the expectations of the British forces. Engineers have continued throughout the Second World War to develop improved versions of that gun using the same structure of the ATK Mk II.

The strong points of this gun are its small size and its maneuverability. It was used by the British paratroopers during the Battle of Normandy, being transported in the first days by gliders and providing substantial support to the Allied troops (including American soldiers). It was used by the British soldiers until the 60s.