240mm Howitzer M1 file photo [7462]

240 mm Howitzer M1 Field Gun

Country of OriginUnited States
TypeField Gun
Caliber240.000 mm
Barrel Length8.380 m
Weight29300.000 kg
Ammunition Weight156.50 kg
Rate of Fire1 rounds/min
Range23.100 km
Muzzle Velocity701 m/s

Contributor:

ww2dbaseThe design effort for what would result in US Army's 240-millimeter Howitzer M1 field gun took place between 1941 and 1943. Except for those converted from naval guns, the 240-mm Howitzer M1 guns were the largest in the US Army arsenal during WW2, requiring 14 men to operate a single gun. They were placed into service in 1943 and first saw action with the US 5th Army at Anzio, Italy in Sep of that year. They were generally regarded favorably for their firepower and relative accuracy when attacking German fortifications and even tank concentrations. A number of these weapons were used by the British Eighth Army during WW2. Production ceased after the end of the war after 315 were built. During the Korean War, 12 of them were reactivated for action with the US 213th and 159th Field Artilleries. In the late 1950s, about 30 of them were transferred to the Republic of China; they were deployed on the islands of Kinmen and Matsu near mainland China to guard against potential communist aggression, and they are still in active service in the Republic of China military today.

Source: Wikipedia ww2dbase

Last Major Revision: Feb 2012

240 mm Howitzer M1 Field Gun Interactive Map

Photographs

Men of 697th Field Artillery Battalion firing 240mm howitzer at Mignano, Italy, 30 Jan 1944The open breach of a 240mm howitzer with the US XIII Corps Field Artillery near Alsdorf, Germany during the advance on the Ruhr, 10 Jan 1945.240mm howitzer, Matsu Islands, Republic of China, 8 Jun 2004240mm howitzer, Matsu Islands, Republic of China, 15 May 2017, photo 1 of 6
See all 9 photographs of 240 mm Howitzer M1 Field Gun



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Visitor Submitted Comments

1. Susie Henry says:
28 Jun 2010 04:04:03 PM

My uncle, David E. Mathis, was a cannoneeer with the 697th field artillery battalion on the fifth army front in Italy. The battalion was the first unit to fire the new American 240 millimeter howitzer in combat. I have an article from our local paper. They were in combat in Cassino. Any further information would be greatly appreciated. Thank you Susie Henry
2. Kevin D.: says:
12 Nov 2010 06:26:09 PM

Hi Susie,
I just came across your post. Your uncle was a private with Battery A of the 697th. The roster shows that he was from Milton, Florida. My uncle Ed Keeney was in Battery C. I have an e-copy of the Informal History of the 697th FA BN put together by members of this batallion. If you like, I could forward it to you. Batteries A & B were the first to fire on Monte Cassino. Also, they were not just at Cassino, but also in four other campaigns. True warriors all.
Regards....Kevin
3. LAMBERT says:
13 Jun 2011 07:49:09 PM

Anybody at Camp Polk 209th FA ?
4. Myles Hylton says:
13 Aug 2011 11:52:42 AM

My father, Joseph G. Hylton, was a technical sergeant in the 697 Field Artillery. Any info regarding the 697 or its observation planes would be appreciated. I am particularly interested in obtaining a copy of the e-copy of the Informal History of the 697th FA BN
My email is myles@aps.roacoxmail.com. Thanks
5. Susie Henry says:
25 Jan 2012 01:14:28 PM

Thanks Kevin. I just came across your post. Sorry it's taken so long. Yes, any info would be greatly appreciated. My email is: susie@thomashomescorp.com
Thank you.
6. Jason schoonover says:
12 Feb 2012 01:01:53 PM

My grandfather Hugh Northrop was on 679th crew also, he arrived in Cassino but never knew where they went from there any info would be great.
7. Gene Parker says:
30 Aug 2012 09:01:25 PM

I was a member of the 758th FA (Battery C)during the Korean conflict. The 758 was an active reserve unit that was activated and scheduled for Korea but unlike the reserve units od today we were so under strength and untrained that we never made it overseas. We were activated in 1952. We did most of our training on the British version of the 155 howitzer but finished our training on the 240. I'm not sure what ever happened to the 758 because most of the original members were transferred to a new unit the 868 FA and trained on the new 280 mm which was capable of firing a shell equipped with an atomic warhead. The 868FA went to Germany after my enlistment was up.
8. Ali Plamondon says:
3 Jan 2013 04:27:00 PM

Hey! Im trying to find information on my pepere's background including any of the men he served with. He was a heavy machine gunner and was a member of the 697th field artillery Battalion. If you jave anymore information or could tell me where you found yours, my family and I would greatly appreciate it!! ;)
9. Fred Avery says:
21 Apr 2013 09:59:38 PM

My father Vestal Avery was Commander of "C" Battery, 272nd FA Battalion in action through France, Belgium, and Germany 1944-45. Correspondence with comrades or families would be very welcome. Relevant copies of any Battalion related photos would be even more appreciated.
10. Mike L. Sanders says:
16 Apr 2015 09:35:45 AM

My late father Lester Harold Sanders was cpl T5 radio switchboard operator with 272nd FA "A" Battery. I have some photos, his dress uniform and more of his unit. Anyone welcome to e-mail me.
11. Mike L. SandersAnonymous says:
29 Jun 2015 10:37:51 AM

Any 272nd FA desendants are welcome to get in touch.
12. Carol Kain says:
15 Feb 2016 01:42:13 PM

My dad, Harold Musselman, is a former member of the 272nd Field Artillery Battalion during WWII. He's one of the few survivors as of Feb 2016. Contact me if you want more info. I have a written history of the 272.
13. Pam Briggs says:
9 May 2016 11:14:35 AM

Carol Kain, I would like more information on the history you wrote. My dad was in the 272nd in WWII.
14. Mac Cranford says:
30 Jun 2016 03:41:51 PM

Carol,
I would like a copy of the history of the 272nd FA Battalion my father serve with the unit.
15. Mike L. Sanders says:
3 Aug 2016 10:19:38 AM

I would like a copy of the History of the 272nd FA Battalion also if still available.
16. Kris Miller says:
1 Jun 2017 11:43:21 AM

My grandfather served in the 272nd and I have lots of information I am willing to share. Email me at krismiller34@hotmailDOTcom
17. Anonymous says:
18 Oct 2017 10:00:24 AM

There is no way the rate of fire is 30 rounds/minute. That is a 300 pound round, manually carried to the breach.
18. KARL KNOBLOCK says:
15 Nov 2018 11:50:41 AM

LOOKING FOR ANY INFO ON THE 270TH FA, IT WAS A 240MM HOWITZER UNIT BETWEEN APRIL1944 AND OCTOBER1945. MY FATHER-IN -LAW WAS WITH THE SERVICE BATTERY. BUT ANY INFO ON THE UNIT WOULD BE HELPFULL. CONTACT ME AT THE ABOVE EMAIL ADDRESS.THANKS
19. Drew Rodgers says:
31 Jan 2019 07:47:59 PM

Carol Kain, I would like a copy of the written history of the 272nd FA Battalion. My grandfather, Beusse H. Snow, was a member of the 272. My email address is drew.rodgers@comcast.net
20. Nicelyb says:
8 Jun 2019 03:24:18 PM

I have info about the 270th FA Bn
21. Bill O\'Brien says:
5 May 2020 12:50:25 PM

Looking for After Action Reports for the 270th FA Battalion, can anyone provide?
Thanks
22. Train Hatton says:
28 Jul 2020 05:35:41 AM

I would like info on 266th FA Battalion, can anyone provide?
23. Al Kennedy says:
20 Sep 2020 03:09:36 AM

I have information about 266th FA Bn in world war II. My father was in Battery C.

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240 mm Howitzer M1 Field Gun Photo Gallery
Men of 697th Field Artillery Battalion firing 240mm howitzer at Mignano, Italy, 30 Jan 1944
See all 9 photographs of 240 mm Howitzer M1 Field Gun


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