The 25 pounder:
Weight: 1.804 kilograms-3,968 pounds
Lenght: 7.89 metres-25 feet 10 3/4inches
Width: 2.12 metres-6 feet 11,5 inches
Height: 1.69 metres- 5 feet 6 3/4 inches
Elevation -5 to +40 degrees
Maximum range:
Charge 1: 3563 metres-3900 yards
Charge 2:7127 metres-7800 yards
Charge 3:10781 metres- 11800 yards
Super-charge: 12244 metres- 13400 yards
The 25 pounder field gun was one of the world's most famous and respected pieces of artillery. It equipped the British Commonwealth armies in the Second Word War and for many years afterwards. Factories in several countries produced more than 17.700 of the guns, and 3781 in Canada.
In 1936 a 18 pounder gun was taken was used for making some 1000 25pr MkI, in 1939 most of them were taken by the BEF to France, some 700 stayed behind during the Dunkirk evacuation.
In 1937 the 25pr MkII were produced, but in 1939 only 78 guns were available.
There were threee versions of the 25 pounders ordnance produced during WOII. The MkIII was introduced on 31 january 1944.
The 25 pounder used separate-loading ammuntion. The projectile was loaded and rammed home, and then the loader inserted the cartridge case containing the propellant into the breech. a charge (red bag) gave a maximum range of 3563 metres., charge two red bag and removable white bag had a maximum range of 7172 metres, charge three (red,white and blue bag) increased the range to 10781 metres. A special super charge (a single bag permantely fixed to its cartridge) extended the maximum range to 12244 metres.
The 25 pounder fired many different projectiles, with the most common being high explosive. The other types were based on carrier shells, which used a small explosive charge to eject three or four canisters from the base of the projectile. The canisters contained chemicals to achieve different tasks, such as creating white smoke to mask enemy locations or coloured smoke (red,green,yellow of blue) for target marking. A rarely used incendiary shell contained canisters with a magnesium/thermite mixture. An illuminating shell ejected a parachute flare that delivered 430.000 candlepower of light for 25-30 seconds. A propaganda carrier ejected pamphlets.
A gun detachement consisted of six men. Each man was assingned a number that defined his duties:
No.1 normally a Sergeant commanded the detachment
No.2 operated the breech and firing mechanism, and rammed the shell.
No.3 called the "layer" set the sights and laid and fired the gun.
No.4 loaded the shell and cartridge and helped to prepare the ammunition.
No.5 and No.6 prepared the ammuntion.
A standard gun pit required the detachment to excavate 28tons of dirt. A pitt for 1000 shells and propellant charges removed another 24 ton. A four shell box weighed 117 pounds or 14.6 tons per 1000 rounds.
And the rate of fire was incredible, at Louvigny, France in a four day period, the 24 guns of 4th Field Regiment RCA fired 40.000 rounds, 24.000 in 24 hours. During the Rhine river crossing in March 1945, the total were even higher.
25 pounders are still used, the Pakistan armed used them to support operations near the Afghan border in 2004.
