Existing comment:
M1923 75mm Pack Howitzer:
The M1923-E2 75mm pack howitzer was a work horse of the artillery.
During the summer of 1930, the Marine Corps began replacing its French 75 howitzers, which had been in the Marine Corps arsenal since World War I, with the 75mm pack howitzer. Designed for use by the Army as a mountain artillery piece, the M1923-E2 could be broken down into several pieces. Prior to the outbreak of war with Japan, the Marines had trained with the 75mm pack howitzer during landing exercises, manhandling the weapon ashore. Crewed by a team of five Marines, it was capable of firing a 16-pound shell some 10,000 yards.
75mm Pack Howitzer:
Although Marines trained with wooden-wheeled 75mm pack howitzers, they did not use them in World War II. The US, however, continued to produce them as part of the Lend-Lease Program. This howitzer was likely part of that program, sent to China during World War II. It later fell into the hands of Chinese communists, and later still acquired by the North Vietnamese Army. It was captured by India Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, near Dong Ha, South Vietnam, on 11 July 1968. |