The 3.7 in howitzer was a light mountain artillery piece used by the British and Indian forces in the Far East during World War II. It had first been designed by Vickers, in 1910, at the request of the Indian authorities. It had entered service in India at the end of 1916. In the 1930s, modern tires had replaced the WW1 steel-rimmed wooden wheels.
From 1941 to 1945, the 3.7 in howitzer was mostly used in the Far East, with numerous mountain batteries being deployed in Burma. It would also be used in North Africa and Italy. Because of its size and weight, British airborne troops also adopted it at the beginning. After the war it remained in service for a few years until it was phased out.
Technical Characteristics
The 3.7 in howitzer was a 94-mm-caliber gun. Its carriage was the first split-trail pattern employed by the British Army. Having a wide traverse, it was not necessary to shift the trail bodily. It was fitted with a rather large shield to protect the gunners. It was also equipped with a modern hydro-pneumatic recoil system. Its breech was of the horizontal sliding block type.
This mountain howitzer fired a 9-kg (20 lb) high explosive shell to a maximum range of 4,130 m (4,500 yards), with an elevation of -3 to +45 degrees. When shrapnel ammunition was used, it fired 9-kg shrapnel shell up to 5,500 m (6,000 yards).
Below, the 3.7-in howitzer in 1942.
Below, the artillery piece in action in Burma, in service with the 14th Army, in 1944, firing against Japanese positions in the jungle.
