155 mm M1 "Long Tom" history

During the period between the two world wars, the U.S. military have envisaged to develop a powerful artillery, learning from the WW1 lessons.

In 1920, following the recommendations of the Westervelt Board study, specialized in the artillery, the first plans for a long-range 155 mm gun were drawn. This project lasted until the 1930s, the engineers being reluctant to set the gun on a mobile structure.

In 1939, the first prototypes appeared under the name T3 8in howitzer. It was installed on eight wheels and finally adopted the name M1.

Used on the various theaters of World War II, it was deployed during the Battle of Normandy, where it offered a strong and long range fire power. It was nicknamed "Long Tom".

After the war, it is modernized (model M4) and installed on a powered chassis to improve its mobility (model M40). Appreciated for its reliability and its fire power, it was sold to many nations such as Denmark, Greece, Japan, Italia and Austria.

155 mm M1 "Long Tom" sheet

Country creator/user: USA
Name: 155mm Gun M1

Caliber: 155 mm
Shell weight: 57,7 kg
Maximum range: 23,100 m
Rate of fire: 8 rounds/10 minutes

Rotation : 7°
Elevation : -1,5 to 60°

Weigth: 4,11 kg
Lenght: 1,129 mm

 

 

 

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