The 8-in M1 was a 203mm-caliber heavy howitzer used by the US Army during World War II and the Korean War. Developed from the British 8-in Mk VII howitzer used in the Great War, it entered service in 1940, soon becoming a very popular and powerful weapon. Once in action, the 8-in howitzer M1 it was an impressive piece; accurate and hard-hitting, it would continue to be in service world-wide as it would be developed in to a self-propelled gun, the Ml 10. Because of its accuracy it could be used to bring down heavy fire on spot targets quite close to friendly troops and was frequently used thus in the elimination of enemy strong points and bunkers. The shell fired by the Ml was initially a 90.7-kg (200-lb) high explosive shell also used by 203mm (8-in) coast guns, but this was later replaced by a special high explosive shell known as the M106 which had the same weight as the earlier shell but which could be fired to a range of 16.596 km (10.1 miles). The blast effect of an 8-in howitzer hit not just the ears but the whole body as the shock wave passed outwards.



Specifications



Type: heavy howitzer

Country of origin: USA

Caliber: 203mm (8-in)

Shell: 90.7 kg (200 lb) high explosive

Barrel length: 5.324 m (17 ft 5,59 in)

Muzzle velocity: 594 m ( 1,950 ft) per second

Maximum range: 16596 m (18,150 yards)

Elevation:-2° to +65°

Traverse: 60°

Weight in action: 13471 kg (29,698 lb)