105MM Howitzer Motor Carriages M37.~187

8/2/2019 105MM Howitzer Motor Carriages M37.~187

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, / ES~RICTE6MATTER::--the I~f~r-D[t' lR\C1EO. DISSEMINATIONOf R d ~e essential c\.oroderlshCSt\L~ .~\ .stricted documents on w~ to be in thet.:=?:~:~~;:.:;: ';.::;::~?:::I~~'::service. t e n~e coo rating in.,Gov~rnment wo !uthorbed militarydiscretion who or., ';;. to th. press ellcept by a 5 M 1944.)communicated to the ~u IC(;:e olsopor. i3b, A,R380-5, 1 orpublic relations agenCies.

0"G .''t 'IAR DEPARTMENT '15 APRIL 1945


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WAR DEPARTMENT FIELD MANUALF M -:6 to - 7 6 I ".r', l_ \e-;

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SERVICE ~'OF:-THEtf~).10.

WAR DEPARTMENT-J5 A P R I l J 9 .,5

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/ '" / . /RES!RIC ~. DISSEMINATION OF R~STRICTEDMATTER.-The)nJor.mahon contClined in restricted documents and the essential characteristicsoJ restricted ~terial may be 'Jiven to dny person known to .b'e in theservice oJ the United States and to pers~ns oJ undoubted 14alty anddiscretion who ~re cooperatin'J in Go~em'ment work, but 'will not becommunicated ta the public or to the press e.~ept by auth~rized' militarypublic relations a'Je~cies. (See also Par. 23b, AR 380-5; 15 Mar'1944.)

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WASHINGTON: 1945

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WAR DEPARTMENTWASHINGTON 25, D. C., 15 APRIL 194.

FM 6-76, Service of the Piece, 105mm Howitzer MotolCarriage, M37, is published for the inform?tion an~guidance of all concerned. I

[AG 300.7 (15 Apr 45) ]By ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR:

G. C. MARSHALL,Chief of Staff

OFFI


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Paragraphs Page~CTION I. General

II. Section Composition andFormationsIII. Posts, M~unted and DismountedIV. Inspections and MaintenanceV. Prepare for Action and. March OrderVI. Indirect FireVII. Direct FireVIII. Additional Information on theService of the PieceIX. Care and Maintenance of thePieceX. Destruction of Equipment

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RESTRICTED

WAR DEPARTMENT FIELD MANUAL

SERVICE OF THE PIECEI05l\IM HOWITZERMOTOR CARRIAGE, "M37*

Section ICENERAL

FM 6-76

1. PURPOSE AND SCOPE. This manual prescribes theduties to be performed in the service of the 105mmowitzer Motor Carriage, M37, by the personnel nor-

mally assigned to a howitzer section" of an armoredFieldartillery firing battery.2. DESCRIPTION OF EQUIPMENT." This vehicle is~~e successor of the 105mm Howitzer Motor Carriage,1'17.The chassis is that of the Light Tank, M24, withhe 105mm Howitzer, M4, mounted in a lightly armored~ull. A ring-mounted caliber .50 AA machine gun is~~catedhigh on the right side of the hull. The howitzerIs equipped with both the Panoramic Telescope, M12A2,and the Telescope, ~176G. The range of traverse is780 mils and the range of elevation from minus 170iils to plus 1800 mils. "3. MILITARY CHARACTERISTICS. All personnel of~he section should be familiar with the critical dimen-Jions of the motor carriage and data necessary to its.movement. This information is shown in figure lb. .IIFor "I"I" t 1 1tary terms not defined in this manual see TM 20-205 and for1S 0 publications see FM 21-6.

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Section II

SECTION COMPOSITIONAND FORMATIONS

. ,. COMPOSITION. a. The personnel of the howitzer~ction consists of the following: One chief of section,ne gunner, four cannoneers (Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4), andne driver.b. Relief cannoneers. Ammunition handlers from themmunition section act as relief cannoneers when solirected by the battery executive. They are assigneqluties in the howitzer section by the chief of section.:. FORMATIONS. a. Dismounted. For the first dis-nounted formation of the howitzer section for any drill .Ir exercise, the order to FALL IN. is preceded by AS-IOWITZER SECTIONS. The place of formation may>estated in the command to FALL IN. For example:.. AS HOWITZER SECTIONS, 2. IN FRONT OF{OURPIECES, 3. FALL IN. The chief of section takesis post four paces in front of center of vehicle, faces:he vehicle, and supervises the formation. The gunner:epeats the command FALL IN and takes his post two?aces in front of the right fender facing the front. The:emainder of the section moves at double time, falls init close interval at the gunner's left, as shown in figure~, dresses to the right, and faces to the front.I b. Call off. (1) The chief of section commands CALLpFF. The gunner calls off GUNNER; the cannoneerDn the left of the gunner calls off ONE; the cannoneer

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CS CHIEF OF SECTIOND DRIVER 2 CANNONEER No 2G GUNNER CORPORAL 3 CANNONEER No 31 CANNONEER No 1 4 CANNONEER No 4

Figure 2. Howitzer section, dismounted posts.

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the left of No.1, TWO; and so on, ending with theer who calls off DRIVER.2) After having called off, if a subsequent formation>rdered, the cannoneers fall in at once in their properler.~.Change posts. To train each member of the sectionall duties connected with service of the piece, the:its of individual cannoneers should be changed fre-ently. The cannoneers being at their dismountedsts, the command is: 1. CHANGE POSTS, 2. :MARCH.this command, No.1 passes quickly in rear of the~tionand takes the post of the driver. No.2 moves topost of No. 1, other cannoneers take the post ofnext lower number, and the driver takes the postNo.4. The gunner changes only when specificallyected. The command is: 1. GUNNER AND CAN-)NEERS CHANGE POSTS, 2. MARCH. The gunnerdckly takes the post of the driver, No.1 moves to the1stof gunner, other cannoneers take the post of the~xtlower number, and driver takes the 'post of No.4.

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Section ill

POSTS, MOUNTEDAND DISMOUNTED

6. POSTS. Dismounted, mounted, and prepared fortion posts are shown in figures 2, 3, and 47. TO MOUNT THE HOWITZER SECTION. Beingdismounted posts or dismounted, the section is mount'at the command or signal MOUNT. (This may be pceded by the command' or signal PREPAREMOUNT. At this command or signal:a.. Driver mounts over the slope plate and takes.

mounted post. ' .b. Gunner and No.2 mount over the left side of

motor carriage and take their mounted posts.c. No.1, No, 3, and No. 4 mount over the right

of the motor carriage and take their mounted posts.d. After .all other members of the section

mounted, the chief of section mounts over the leftof the motor carriage and takes his mounted post. .8. TO DISMOUNT THE HOWITZER SECTION.section, being at mounted posts or mounted, ismounted at the command or signal 1. PREPAREDISMOUNT, 2. DISMOUNT. At the preparatory CO]mand, members of the section stow all vehicularmen,t. At the command DISMOUNT, members ofsection dismount in reverse of the order prescribedparagraph 7 and take their dismounted posts (figure6

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, TO POST THE SECTION. The section being at restdismounted from the vehicle and not in any forma-

on, at the command 1. CANNONEERS, 2. POSTS,ach gunner repeats the command POSTS, and theiver and cannoneers move at double time to the ac-.on posts shown in figure 4. If the section is dismounted,ey mount as shown in paragraph 7 and then takection posts.

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CS= CHIEF OF SECTIOND = DRIVER 2 = CANNONEER No 2G = GUNNER CORPORAL 3 = CANNONEER No 31= CANNONEER No 1 4 = CANNONEER No 4

Figure 3. Howitzer section, mounted posts.


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CS = CHIEF OF SECTION


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Section IV

INSPECTIONS ANDMAINTENANCE

10. GENERAL. a. The. inspections and operationsscribed in this section are those which must beformed to maintain the motor carriage and its weapo~in good mechanical condition and the stowedment complete, serviceable, and ready for combat.chief of section is responsible for their properance. He supervises the entire operation and usesdiscretion in delegating duties to other than the pscribed individual when, for any reason, the compo~tion of the section is altered or a particular operati~or group of operations might be improperly perform~due to individual lack of proficiency. .b.Checks of 'weapons, sighting equipment, and a

munition, a.nd of the vehicle engines, power train,and suspension system, instruments, towing cable, cnections, shackles, battery, accessory drives, electricwiring, controls, and equipment are made in accordaniwith provisions of the appropriate vehicle technicmanuals. Deficiencies are reported and corrected as thtare found. The WD Form No. 48 (Driver's Trip Tickand PM Service Record) should be carefully athoroughly prepared, and all' maintenance workqui~ed recorded on it in as complete detail as praet1able. Any. irregularity noted which is not correet/before the next use of the vehicle should be re-enteri10

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1 WD Form No. 48 until it has been properly takenre of.c. The battery executive will make a daily generalspection and a weekly detailed inspection of all ma-:riel. Purpose of this daily inspection, which will be ade at the same time that sections are conducting~eir maintenance formations, will be to insure that the~ttery is properly performing its preventive mainten-?ce functions. A general inspection of the motor car-ages and weapons for appearance and a thorough spot~eck of several parts will be made. At formal inspec-n, all personnel of the firing battery will be present.e executive will make a thorough mechanical checkt the motor carriage and will also inspect ordnance tooli~s, spare parts, and equipment for condition and com-~~teness. Maintenance personnel and the artillery mech-~c will accompany the executive. Minor repairs ordJustments will be performed by battery personnel.ajor repairs will be reported to ordnance.

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Section V

PREPARE FOR ACTIONAND MARCH ORDER

16. AMMUNITION TRAILER.. a. General. Whenhowitzer section prepares for action, thetrailer, if possible, is uncoupled and left a short distato the rear of the final firing position of the motorriage. The trailer must never be allowed tothe movements of the motor carriage during firing.b. Uncouple trailer. To uncouple the

trailer, the chief of section orders the driver to stopmotor carriage and' then gives the commandCOUPLE TRAILER. Cannoneers Nos. 2, 3, and 4mount and Nos. 3 and 4 set the hand parkingNo.2 lowers,the'wheel stand, making sure that it isthe full "DOWN" position. No.2 then unlocks thehook at the rear of the motor carriage, while Nosand 4 lift the lunette out..While Nos. 3 and 4 holdtrailer handles, No. 2 signals the chief of sectionhave the motor carriage moved forward. The chiefsection, by voice or interphone to the driver,the movement of the motor carriage into theposition. Nos. 3 and 4 set the wheel stand down, aall cannoneers proceed at double time to thecar~iage.

c;. Couple trailer. At the command CO U P LTRAILER, the driver starts the engines, if theynot running, while cannoneers Nos. 2, 3, and 4and proceed at double time to the trailer. The chief28

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1 ,bChon, by interphone or voice to the driver, controlse movement of the motor carriage back to the posi-fon of the trailer. While No. 2 opens the pintle hookf the rear of the motor carriage, Nos. 3 and 4 hold theailer. No.2 signals the chief of section to have theI otor carriage back up. to the lunette. Nos. 3 and 4

~ace the lunette in the pintle hook and No. 2 locks it.os. 3 and 4 release the hand parking brakes while.No.raises the trailer support stand. The cannoneers thenl,eturn to' their mounted posts in the motor carriage.7. HAND SIGNALS.' The following are the signals~ed to indicate to the driver the. proper movement ofe motor carriage. They are given from a dismountedosition, facing the driver, and are illustrated in figuresand 6.

fa. Start engines. Describe a cranking motion in frontbody.f b. Stop engines. Cross forearms repeatedly in front

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body. 'c. Move forward or backward. Motion with repeatedove~ents of both hands in front of face, palms facing

. e ?lrection of travel. Speed of movement is controlledY Increasing or decreasing speed with which hands're mOved.d. Halt. Clasp hands in front of face. Warning foraIt is given by holding arms to the front, fingers ex-ended and joined, palms turned inward. Hands are~oved together to approximate the amount of move-ent stilI to be made .. e. Change direction. Clench and slightly raise the1st on the side to which the turn is to be made (side

::Jn ~hich brake is applied). Execute thrusts in directionres Ired, '. .

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START ENGINE

CHANGE DIRECTIONExecute thrusts in direction desired

Figure 5a. Hand signals.


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STOP ENGINEUsed in units having vehicles with turrets

HALTFor execution, clasp hands front of face

Figure 5b. Hand signals.

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MOVE AHEAD-Repeat several times

MOVE IN REVERSE-Repeat several times

Figure 6. Hand signals.


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Section VI .

INDIRECTFIRE

20. GENERAL~-The principal duties in firing for ea'member of the section are listed below. For compllists and detailed descriptions of the duties of eamember of the section, see paragraphs 21-23 inclusi. For additional duties during direct fire, seeVII. .a. Chief of section. Supervises action of all membof the section.b. Driver. Remains at his post.c. Gunner. Lays the piece for direction.

and closes the breech, and fires the piece ..e. Cannoneer No.2. Loads the piece. .f. Cannoneer No.3. Prepares ammunition for.g. Cannoneer No.4. Assists No.3 in preparing aIt'1

munition for firing.21. CHIEF OF SECTION, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Ii-lays all fire commands from the battery executive.'ac~~r~::t.y.that .all commands are e'iIecuted rapidly ""t. c. Measures the minimum quadrant elevation.d. Indicates to gunner the aiming point orpoint.

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1e.Lays for elevation, assisted by No.1, when the1nner's quadrant is used.r Measures the range or elevation.Ig. Indicates when the piece is ready to fire.~~.Signals or commands FIRE.,.1, Reports errors and other unusual incidents of firethe battery executive .

j. Conducts pr~arranged firing schedules.tk. Records basic data. .,I. Frequently notes. functioning of materiel.L~' Checks all rounds which have been prepared fortlng, but not fired, before they are replaced in con-(ners. ,n. Assigns duties under unusual conditions.to. Controls movement of motor carriage.tCllIEF OF SECTION, DETAILED DESCRIP-t ON OF DUTIES. a. Relays all fire commands from

te battery executive. The chief 'of section relays alle c.o.mmands received over intr,a-battery communica-n system. He is prepared to repeat any part of thernrnand to any cannoneer who has failed to hear it.b. Sees that all commands are executed rapidly andf,c~rately. The chief of section frequently checks th.e~l~gof the piece and sees to it that all member~ of hISh h?n.. are working as accurately and as rapIdly asrSSIble.lc. Measures the minimum quadrant elevation. Thernand is MEASURE THE MINIMUM QUADRANTEVATION. . '~~l)The., chief of section, Sight.ng. along the lowestb ~ent of the bore, orders No. 1 to elevate the piecetII the line of sight just cleats the crest. ..

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.:tes.of the breech ring. He stands squarely opposite:C sIde of the quadrant and holds it firmly on the eling plates parallel to the axis of the bore. No. 1'ev~tes or depresses the piece until the quadrant bub-e IS centered, making sure that the last' movement isthe direction in which it is most difficult to turn theevating handwheel. The chief of section warns No.When the bubble is approaching the center, in order,at the proper leveling may be performed accurately.,f. Measures elevation (range). At the command~E:ASURE THE ELEVATION (RANGE), the pieceCVI~g been laid, the chief of section causes No. 1 to~t sIte 300 and, with the range drum knob, to centere longitudinal-level bubble of the range quadrant.

Ihe chief of section then reads the elevation (range)~t on the elevation scale (range drum) and announces~tlevation (range) thus set. For example: ELEV A-, ON (RANGE) NUMBER (SO AND SO), (SO MUCH).g. Indicates when the piece is. ready to fire. Whenh: battery executive can see arm signals given by thelIef of section, the chief of section will extend hisbgh~arm vertI,'cally as a Sign,al that the piece is readylEhre. He gives this signal as soon as the gunner callsI ~DY. When arm signals cannot be seen, the chief of~~~on reports orally to the battery executive, NUM..:I (SO AND SO), READY.r. h. Signals and commands FIRE. The chief of section.~Vesthe signal to fire by dropping his right arm sharp-~Nto his side and orally commanding, NUMBER (SO'. D SO), FIRE. The chief of section will not give theIIgnal to fire until all' cannoneers are in their properI aces. .I i. Reports errors and other unusual incidents of firethe battery executive. If for any reason the piece

.annot be fired, the chief of section will promptly re-

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, h f . th. b .... thport t at act to e attery executIve, gIvmg eson: NUMBER (SO AND SO), OUT (REASON).ever it is discovered that the piece has been firedan error in laying, the chief of section will reporonce the amount of error and whether correctednot. For example: NUMBER (SO AND SO) FIREDMILS RIGHT, ERROR HAS (HAS NOT) BEEN cRECTED. The gunner also reports any otherincidents that affect the service of the piece.j. Conducts prearranged firing schedules. Whene

the execution of prearranged fire schedules isthe chief of sectio.n..conducts the fire of the piecestrict conformity to the schedule prescribed.k. Records basic data. The chief of section reco

in a notebook such information as minimumbase deflections, including aiming points used;~anged firing schedules, when prepared schedules)not furnished;. safe..y.. limits, in ele.va.lionandnumber of rounds fired, with the hour and date;calibration corrections when appropriate. .I. Notes frequently the functioning of materiel.chief of se"ction notes the functioning of all mate

during firing. He carefully observes the functioningthe recoil system at all' times. He promptly reports;the battery exeCUII.ve any materiel that is noting properly.m. Checks all rounds which have been prepared

firing, but not fired, before they are replaced in, tainers..The chief.of section personally checks allnot fired which have been prepared for firing, as. safety precaution to prevent short bursts. He seesaJI seven increments are present in proper conditiassembled in the .proper numerical order, and that Ware of the proper lot number, before they are repla.in the container. He also checks to see that the

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,,lmber on the ammunition corresponds to the lot num-f On the container. He obtains a slip of paper on~i.chan .officer of the battery has certified with hisltIalSthat all required .precautions as to checking in-~ents have been taken and gives it to No. 3 for in-Slon under the seal when unused ammunition is re-ced in containers and sealed.t. Assigns duties under unusual conditions. Wheneverr personnel of the section serving the piece is tem-lraril~reduced or other conditions r.e.quire it, the c.hiefsectIon assigns additional duties ..that will. facilitatee service of the piece. For example, the chief of sec-n may direct the driver, No.2, and No.3 to assist

~th the carrying and un crating of ammunition, or No.may act as driver for a large deflection shift when~edriver is handling ammunition.o. Controls. movement of the motor carriage. When it: n:cessary to move the motor carriage, the chief. of:chon instructs the driver to start the engines. He then~trols the displacement of the motor carriage byIce Or interphone.~'flC~NNER, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Sets or changesectlOn.b. Applies deflection difference.Cd' Lays the piece for direction .. Calls READY.:. Refers the piece.. Records the base deflection.g. Measures the deflection.

CUNNER, DETAILED DESCRIPTION OFTIES. a. Sets or changes deflection. (1) Sets deflec-on: When a piece is prepared for action with known

~Ing POint, the elevation indexes, azimuth scale, and~Irnuth micrometer on the panoramic telescope are

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set at zero. Then at the command, for example,FLECTION 1885, the gunner first sets the micromtindex opposite the zero .of the fixed deflection sif it is not already so set. He then pushes the throwlever and turns the rotating head until the hundrgraduation (18 in this case) is opposite the azirnscale index. He releases the throwout lever andthe azimuth worm knob with his right hand, turnstop of the worm knob away from him until the gradtion 85 is opposite the index. Care. must be taken!avoid a 100 mil error. The line of sight will thena horizontal angle of 1885 mils with the axis of thethe angle desired in this example.(2) Changes deflection. The gunner should be trai

to grasp the azimuth worm knob with his right hand to turn the knob. in the same direction as theor. the "R" on the fixed de..fleClion scale.,. depending.whether the command is LEFT or RIGHT. He shoalso be taught that turning the top of the azimuth woknob away horn him increases the deflection set ontelescope and results in moving the muzzle to thewhen the piece is laid with the new deflection. Silarly, turning' the top of the azimuth worm knobward him decreases the deflection and results ining the inuzzle to the right when the piece is laid.deflection having been set at 1885 mils, if a sUbseq;~command is, for example, RIGHT 65, the gunner turthe top of the azimuth worm knob toward him (insame direction as the "R" on the fixed deflection scl:Lby an amount equal to 65 divisions. on the scale.

'. this decreases the deflection, the resulting deflect~will be 1820 mils. Should the command be LEFT (:x'1\1UCH), the deflection setting is changed in a sirnilmanner, except that the gunner moves the top of tazjmuth worm knob away from him (in the same dirtion as the "L" on .the fixed deflection scale).44

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.?) To use the micrometer index. In the method de-llbed above, the gunner can reset. the micrometer~ex opposite the most convenient 10'-mil graduationt e: each deflection resetting is made. This facilitatesth~g off the tens an.d units on the azimuth micro. meter.read the deflection on the azimuth micrometer, thecrometer index is turned to zero on the deflectionlaIe, and the setting opposite the arrow on the mic-,meter index is read.I~'Applies deflection dl.'fference. (1) The command ish NO. (SO AND SO) OPEN (CLOSE) (SO MUCH).e gunner of the piece indicated in the command does:>t change the deflection set on his telescope. Eachr the other gunners. changes his deflection setting by~e number of mils specified in the command if hislece is next in line to the piece indicated, by twice thismber of mils if his piece is second in line from the~ece indicated, by three times this number of mils ifIs piece is third in line from the piece indicated, and~d~n. Cunners are taught to use the telescope as ani lllg machine, instead of totaling the shifts.I (~ If the command is, for example, ON No.1 OPEN, e gunner on No.1 makes no change; the gunnerNo ..2 turns. the top of the azimuth worm knob awaytm hIm and sets off 5 mils once; the gunner on No.Urns the top of the azimuth worm knob in a similar~a~ner, except that he sets off 5 mils twice, .or a totalo mils; the gunner on No. 4 also turns the azimuth

~or~ knob in a similar manner, except that he sets off1111Ishree times, a total of ..15 mils.g) Should the command be, for example, ON NO.z. LOSE 10, the gunner on No.1 turns the top of the11. IImuth Worm knob away from him and sets off 101 St.11 Wlce or a total of 20 mils; the gunner on No.2rns the top of the azimuth worm knob in a simila;r

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manner, except that he sets off l() mils once; the gujon No.3 makes no change; the gunner on No.4 ttthe top of the azimuth worm knob toward him andoff 10 mils once.(4) \Vhen a deflection change and a .deflection

ference are announced at the same time, for examRIGHT 30, ON NO. 1 CLOSE 5, both of which afthe gunner's piece, he should first set off the deflecchange and then apply the deflection difference.(5) Due to the variety of formations of the armOartill~ry, it often will be necessary to order deflecshifts for each individ. ual piece. The command WilI

jiven by the battery executive and will indicatenumber of the piece and the deflection change tomade. For example, NUMBER THREE, RIGHT FIThe change will be made in the same manner as~aking any deflection change.c. Lays the piece for direCtion. (1) \Vith the deflec

set on the panora~ic telescope, the gunner trave.the piece until the vertical cross hair of the panoracenters the bubbles of the telescope mount. The gunnow brings the vertical cross hair into exact aligml1with the aiming point and then rechecks the bubbrTo take up lost motion and insure accuracy, the fimovement of the traversing h.andwheel should bethat the cross hair is always brought onto the same pof the aiming point from the left. .The gunner sho

. habitually follow the above procedure in layingpiece for direction.(2) If the amount of movement necessary is grea

than. can be obtained by traversing the piece, the rnerwill. center traverse the howitzer. and indicate:the driver the movement required. Any movementJhe carriage will involve displacement from the l'46

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I .f aiming posts, if in use. The gunner will control the?v~ment of the carriage until it is returned to itsnglllal position with the sight approximately on thene of aiming posts. Before correction for alignment isrdered, he lays for direction by traversing the pieceo that the far post appears on the horizontal. cross hair~1fway between the vertical cross hair and the nearIming post. (See paragraph 53.) .d. Calls READY. When the piece is laid for direction,lrd No.1 has called SET, the gunner moves his headear of the eye shield, checks the cross- and longitudi-

[hi-Iev.elson the telescope mount, checks the setting of:h~azlmuth scale and. micrometer, and indicates to thei lef of section that the piece is ready to fire by an-lOuncing READY.I e. Refers the piece. When the piece is laid for di-(;Ction,-to refer the piece the command is AIMINGl. O!NT(SO AND SO), REFER. Without disturbing the~~Ing of the piece, the gunner brings the vertical crossa~r.of the panoramic telescope on to the new aimingPOInt.He then reads .and announces the deflection. He~tes it and the referring point on a convenient part ofI e motor carriage.nl. Records base deflection~At the command RECORDtheSE DEFLECTION, the gunner reads the deflectio?t n set on the panoramic. telescope and announces It(~ the recorder as BASE DEFLECTION, NUMBER. ~AND SO), (SO MUCH). He notes this deflection~: t~e aiming point used on a convenient part of thetor carriage.pJi Measures the deflection. The command is AIMING1'10NT (SO .AND SO), :MEASURE THE DEFLE~-t b~. The piece being laid for direction, without dls-pur Ing the laying of the piece the gunner turns .theanoramic telescope until the vertical cross hair is ?n

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48

the designated aImIng point. He centers the bubbon the telescope mount, rechecks line of sighting ofpanoramic telescope, and then reads the deflectionon the azimuth scale and micrometer. He announthis ..reading as DEFLECTION NUMBER (SO ASO), (SO MUCH).25. CANNONEER NO.1, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Sangle of site.b. Sets range.c. Sets elevation.d. Lays the piece for range.e. Opens and closes the breech.f. Calls SET.g. Fires the piece.h. Mans the machine gun.

26. CANNONEER NO.1, DETAILED DESCRIPTI.OF DUTIES. a. Sets angle of site. The angle ofset on the angle of site scale and micrometer ofrange quadrant. No. 1 turns the angle of siteknob until the announced figure is approximately idicated on the angle of site scale. He then makessmall final adjustment of the micrometer to bring t~last two figures of the angle of site opposite the micr~meter index. For example, the command is SI 275. N'.1 turns the angle of site worm knob until the SC8~index is one-quarter the distance from the "3" to tb"2" graduation. He then adjusts the micrometer to75. The last motion is made in the direction ofing site.b. Sets range. Range is set on the range drumthe range quadrant. To set range, No. 1 first install

the range' drum corresponding to the announced charg1He grasps the range drum knob and turns it until tb,

site.

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!,nounced range is opposite the index, making sure(t the last movement is in the dir.ection of increasing~nge.Ic. Sets elevation. No. 1 turns the range drum knobrtil the announced elevation is approximately indicatedr. the elevation scale. By a small movement of thelcrometer he then brings the last two figures of theevation opposite the elevation micrometeJ.' index. Hea~es Sure that the last movement is in the direction

r Increasing elevation. For example, the command is:LEVATION 464. No.1 sets the elevation scale indexetween the "4" and "5" graduations. He then adjustslemicrometer to read 64. (Caution: A large final ad-1stment of the micrometer indicates either an improper-, adjusted elevation scale or an incorrect initial setting., check should be made to see that a IOO-mil errorOes not exist.) .d. Lays the piece for range .. After setting the rangen the range drum or setting the elevation on the eleva-On scale and micrometer, No. 1 lays the piece for~nge. He first centers the cross-level bubble by turninge cross-leveling worm knob. Next, he elevates or de-Ire~ses the piece by turning the elevating handwheelnhi the bubble in the longitudinal-level is approxi-lat Ide Y centered. No. 1 now rechecks the cross-leveln centers the bubble again if necessary. He nowCc .. . .. .,. ..Urately centers. the longitudinal-level bubble, mak-~g s~re that the final movement of the tube is i.n the

lrechon in which it is most difficult to turn the elevat-ng handwheel.e. Opens and closes the breech. (1) To open. No. 1

queezes the breech operating lever 'handle in his leftand to release the catch and draws it to the rear, open-g the breech.(2) To close. No.1 grasps the operating lever handle

49


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with his left hand and pushes the handle forwardthe breech is closed and the latch is engaged.f. Calls SET. No.1 calls SET when the piece hasloaded, the breech closed, and the piece laid for eltion or range. .g. Fires the piece. At the chief of section'scommand NUMBER (SO'AND SO), FIRE, No. 1 fthe piece..h. Mans the machine gun. The machine gun. will

operated by No.1 when so directed by the chiesection. When the motor carriage is traveling,will remain on the alert, prepared to operate thechine gun instantly.27. CANNONEER NO.2, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Lothep~re. .b. Calls out number of round.c. Inspects chamber and bore after firing eachd. Sets out aiming posts when ordered.e. Disposes of used cartridge cases. .

28. CANNONEER NO.2, DETAILED DESCRIPTlOF DUTIES. a.'Loads the piece. No.2 takes thegrasping it with his right hand at the base of theridge case and his left hand in front of theband. He then faces the breech, inserts the round ithe chamber, and pushes it home with his rightHe must use care, especially at. higher elevations,avoid injuring his hand. When it is necessary for N. to' insert his hand into the breech recess to pushround home, he should first close his fist. He will.particularly careful to avoid striking 'the fuze agaia,ny portion of the materiel. A round to be loadedbe held well out of the path of the recoil of the howituntil the howitzer returns to battery. (See AR 750-150

I.

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.

J ... ... . .. b. Calls out number of round. When the method ofe is other than one round, No. 2 calls out the range. d the number of the round as he loads the piece; and, he loads the last round, adds LAST ROUND. Heould speak only loud enough to be heard by mem-rs of. his own section. . . ..c: Inspects chamber and bore afte~ firing each round.o. 2 will inspect the bore and chamber after firingeh round to make certain that no foreign matter hasen left which. may injure the. tube or burst the piece

. obstructing the bore.d. Sets' out aiming posts when ordered. When so' di-eted by the chief of section No.2 dismounts and takese . . ,

I aIming posts from the rear of the motor carriage.tuesets up the aiming posts under the guidance of the!nner.~. Disposes of used cartridge cases. During lulls inr~g, .No. 2 will throw used cartridge cases over thet g t SIdeof the motor carriage. .19. ~ANNONEER NO.3, LIST OF. DUTIES. a. Placesa~ aged, ammunition on radiator cover.

. Re~oves round from container.,~. Cleans and inspects projectile;d. Sets fuze setter. .e. Cuts or sets fuzes. .f. Resets fuzes and replaces in containers rounds pre~ared for firing but not fired.CANNONEER Nb. 3, DETAILED DESCRIPTIONk'DUTIES. a. Places packaged ammunition on rear

ee A f ' ..t. s SOonas No.3 knows what type 0 ammumtIono.~e fired, he takes a packaged round from the am~~e~n~Ionrack and. places it, projectile end up, on thereek of the motor carriage.' ,. "

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Figure 7. No.3 opening projectilecontainer. ammunition

52Figure 8. No. 4 recewmg projectile from ammunition

container held by No.3.


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Figure 9. No.3 opening cartridge case end of ammunitilcontainer.

Figure 10. No.4 recetvtng cartridge case fromcontainer held by No.3.

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........of pape.r (Officer's Certificate), obtained from theIf of section under one of the seals in a visibleliton when r~sealing the containers. .)kCANNONEERNO.4, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Passes" aged rounds to No.3. .. Receives projectile and cartridge case from No.3.. Cleans and ..inspects cartridge case. .. Prepares charges.. Assembles rounds.. Places.prepared rounds on radiator cover.. Replaces in cartridge cases increments of all roundspared for firing but not fired.

~NNONEER NO.4, DETAILED DESCRIPTIONUTIES. a. Passes packaged pieces to No.3.04 passes packaged rounds forward to No.3 .. Receives projectile and cartridge case from No.3.e~ NO.3 opens the projectile end of the ammunitionta~?er,he tips the fuzed projectile into No. 4's hands.e 19ure 8.) No. 4 lays the projectile down in theugh. (See figure 9.) He then receives the cartridgee, which is tipped from the other end of the con-ner by No.3. (See figure 10.) . .. Cleans and inspects cartridge case. No.4 wipes off. Cartridge case with a clean rag or waste. While~kg this, he carefully inspects the cartridge case toe sure that it is not bent or damaged. If the cart-Iige case. is in such condition that it cannot be used,set aside until it can be straightened or disposed of.e .c~repares. charges. The fire comma~d. designates.

1ge arge to be fired. When No.4 receIves the cart-:g case from No. 3 he withd.raws the increments, Ure II) ,lar e : removes those numbered higher than theg deSIgnated, and puts them aside. An empty con-.55-

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Figure 11. No.3 cutting fuze while No.4 fixes charge.

Figure 12. No. 4 assembling round.56


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ner is a good receptacle for this purpose. He replaces~emaining increments in the cartridge case in theirgll1al numerical order.. Assembles rounds. When No.4 has prepared thearge and No.3 has set or cut the fuze, No.4 assemblesprojectile and cartridge case in the ammunition

ugh. (See figure 12.)f. Places prepared rounds on radiator cover. When>. 4 assembles a round he places it on the radiatorve~ of the motor carriage (figure 13) ready for No.2l~lCk up and load into the breech. When No. 2 isY to load the piece and no rounds are prepared,>. 4 passes the prepared rounds to No.2. To do this,passes the round to No. 2 in such a manner that

Figure 13. 1No. 4 placing round on radiator cover, pro;ecti epointing to rear.

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No.2 is able to grasp it with his left hand inthe rotating band and his right hand on the basecartridge case, making sure that the projectileridge case do not separate. 'Ig. Replaces increments in cartridge cases of' allprepared for firing but not fired. Under the petsupervision "of the chief, of section, No. 4cartridge cases increments of all roundsfiring but not fired. No. 4 is careful to seereconstituted rounds contain all sevengood condition, in the proper numerical order, anding the proper lot number. . . '33.,DRIVER, LIST OF DUTIES. a. Remains at hisb. :Movesmotor carriage as directed by the chisection or gminer. ,

34. DRIVE~, DETAILED DES C RIP TI 0 NDUTIES. a. Remains at his post. During firing,driver normally remains in the driver's seat. He,the engines running until the piece, is laidb. Move; motor carriage as directed by, the

section .or gunner. The driver starts' the. command of the chief of section and moves the rrtcarriage as directed by the chief of section orThe driver must see to it that the mechanical condof the engines is such that they will start quicklyeasily at all times. When in action, the driver willup the engines from,time to time, to keep them in co. tion for'immediate starting.

58

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Section VII

DIRECTFIRE

lGENERAL. Delivery of direct fire demands a high.Iee of training in its special technique, since it re-~es the section to operate as an independent uni~. T~estandards of speed and accuracy required III Ill-

~ect fire are even more. important during direct fire onlarget which may, in turn, be firing on you.fREPARATORY STEPS. In order to obtain the best

~ustswhen using direct fire, the following preparatoryP should be taken:~: Inspect the coaxial telescope mount to see that ita~r~ly bolted in place, and that the telescope is fullyb e and tightly clamped.v '1BOresight the coaxial telescopes with tru~nions ase as Possible. .

:irBORESIGHTING. a. Accurate fire of any type re-en~~aCCurate adjustment of sighting and la.ying eq~ip-)rt All personnel must be impressed with the Im-Qeance of. accurate boresightingat every opportunity.is tests and adjustments described in Section IX ofiull1anual, and in TM 9-324, will insure accurate sightb strnent for direct laying.r~ Fhr direct fire, the horizontal and vertical planesax~gl the zero range and deflection cross. hairs of thela telescope (figure 14) must be parallel to the same.

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105 MM HOWITZER. M2AISHELL, HE, MI1550 f/lMVCHARGE 7

+ VERTICAL LINES 100 YDS8

12

16

20

24

28

36

8

12

/6

20

24

28

36

Figure 14. Reticle pattern, telescope M76G.planes through the axis of the tube. In boresighting'd.is accomplished by bringing the alignment of theto coincide with that of the tube on a distant objecby placing each on its proper portion of a correctlysitioned test target. (See paragraph 64c.)60

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. tration will be obtained on armored targets ortions. Against personnel, the ricochet produced by0.15 second delay giv~s an effective burst. If less50 per cent of the rounds fired againstricochet bursts, change to fuze quick.b. Shell, HEAT. The command is SHELL,

TANK. Since the charge and fuze are fixed, nocommand is necessary. Shell, HEAT, is a lowershell than HE, Charge VII; therefore its trajectorya greater curve. It rarely detonates except when itarmor or similar hard surface. This makes itobtain hits against tanks with it, due to thesensing the point of impact of a round whichhit an armored target. It will pierce four inches of vJplate. The amount of HEAT carried is limited. Inof these facts, HEAT should be used only forfense and should not beused at ranges in excessyards.43. DIRECTION OF TARGET. The cornmanTRAVERSE RIGHT (LEFT), STEADY--ON.chief of section, while giving these commands, 1along the tube or through the open sight of the pramic telescope. If the gunner has difficulty ill"the target, the chief of section may look throughcoaxial t.elescope and put the zero lead line on the t~44. LEAD. Leads are computed in mils. The 10command for lead is LEAD (SO :MANY).During adj.ment, changes in lead are announced as LEFT(SO MANY).The table (figure 15) shows the leads WIshould be used. It must be impressed upon alland chiefs of section that a round which misses afor deflection, but is correct for range, will burstyond the tank. When a tank approaches head-on,should be obtained on the first or second ,round. 1b64

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SPEED LEADTARGET TRAVELLING PERPEN- TARGET TRAVELLINGD1CULAR TO LINE OF FIRE. 45" TO LINE OF FIRE.I HE-AT CHARGE VII HE-AT CHARGE VII

SLOW(0-10 MPH) 5 5 5 5

20 15 15 10

30 25 20 20

Figure 15. Lead table.

~~::::.eR::e:O:rea::u:::~:. ~~nd for range is (SO MANY), given in yards. Dur-n~ Justment of fire, range is corrected by the com-I

ADD (DROP) (SO MANY).~gStJBSEQUENT FIRE CO~MANDS. a. Sensing andun~ Changes. (1) The chief of section senses eachad.Wid announces the necessary changes in range andin he? shell HE with Charge VII is fired, the fol-cO;dtraJ.ectory characteristics will govern the manner( Uctmg fire' .a) .itsRanges .from 0 to 500 yards. Within these range0t t trajectory will be too flat to permit an eight-thea~dto pass under it. The upper range of 500 yardsnk eal at which to open fire on an approachingiss~s~~ce rapid fire can then be conducted without

l(b)s 1 deflection is correct.,dUdRanges from 500 to 1100 yards. These range limitslat toe the ~one in which the trajectory is sufficiently~acketermlt direct estimation of errors without actual~it (l~~gof the target. If a hit is obtained at the uppero yards) on Jhe bottom of, an,' eight-foot tank,

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assuming' zero vertical; dispersion, 'a 100-yard 'change (to 1200 yards) will result in a round Whi]bjust brush the top of the tank. During adjustment, this zone, range changes should seldom exceed 100 y. and frequently changes of 50 yards will be suffiThe upper limit is the greatest range at which fire.be opened unless tactical conditions require otheThe second shot (o~ certainly the third) should be(c)' Ranges from 1100 to 1800 yards. The ranges1100 to 1800 yards represent a zone in which hitSreasonably possible. Ord.inarily, bracket,used to obtain an adjustment for range in this zone.should not be opened at these ranges unless surpr:,of no importance. Dispersion is a considerablefiring at targets within the zone.(d) Ranges over 1800 yards. At ranges aboveyards, direct fire is not. advisable against. ordinarygets. However, it would. be pointless to withhold

until the target. came within a range of 1800 yards~!gun position had been disclosed. Dispersion is thetrolling factor.~ Ranges. must be know.n accuratel:,.determined by bracketing. At ranges above 1800

fire becomes plunging and moving targetseasily. . ,(e) .Short ranges. At short ranges, a round beyondtarget is not' necessarily incorrect for range,' if delecis wrong, since the point of, aim is' above the grO.level.(f) Small targets beyond 500 yards. On targets srI1

than an eight-foot tank, bracketing becomes necessarJranges greater than 500 yards. For example, ina hull-down tank with a vertical profile of three feelis necessary to bracket at a range of 900 yards, 1.1111the range to the target is known accurately.66

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ICI)eooCOr~I..., I

"J IIIIII

.,IIIII"" "IIII +.-IIJ.l,,,

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(2) The vertical displacement obtained with105mm howitzer for a 100"-yard range change increrapidly as ~he range to the target increases. Inthe target is at.a range of 500 yards. A properly al)'round fired at a range of 500 yards will hit at A,center of mass. Round B fired at 600 yards will sthe target three feet above A. Decreasing the rang400 yards will lower the point of impact three feet,round C 'will strike one foot above the base of the tb. Examples. The following are some exampletypical fire commands.

(1) Initial commands.(a) Stationary target.-THIRD SECTIONMACHINE GUNSHELL, HE: FUZE, DELAYTRAVERSE RIGHTSTEADY--ON800 ,

(b) Moving target.-, FIFTH SECTIONMOVING TANKSHELL, ANTITANKTRAVERSE LEFTSTEADY--ONLEAD 15400(2) Subsequent commands.

(a) Stationary target.-1. SHORTRIGHT 4ADD 1002. DOUBTFULLEFT 12REPEAT RANGE

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!I

(b) Moving target.-:-1. OVERDROP 2002. SHORTTHREE MORE (change inlead)

ADD 100ctnI~PERSION. Vertical dispersion is not a criticallttor 10 adjustment of direct fire until the dispersion[Ie~n approaches the size of the target. With Chargeld' hell HE has a total dispersion pattern of sevenlone-half feet at 1200 yards. A small error in range orruse of the sight would throw some rounds off ther~e~in this case. At ranges where the dispersion pat-I r ISas large as or larger than the height of the target,aange which has previously proved correct is notnged On the evidence of one round.

~h~IGIIT .FIRING. Using night lighting. devices forf d~ngequlpment, it is possible to use normal methodslate~ect laying when. the target is sufficiently illum-IUzzI by moonlight or flares. The blinding effect of theece: bl~st can be overcome by closing the eyes as the~rVedS.flred. If the flash of an enemy weapon is ob-si h1~may be possible' to lay the piece for direction

CUlt~ hng ,on the flash. Range estimation will be dif- .ayli'hbut If the terrain was carefully studied duringlitiaYt, and a range data card prepared, a satisfactory1 reI :~ngemay be determined by observing the flashaSea 10n to terrain features. If time permits, the shortrod:ethod of range estimation, using the aiming circle,

ces very accurate results.

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Section VIII

ADDITIONAL INFORl\JATION ON THE SEROF THE PIECE

. 49. PREPARING AMMUNITION ON THE GROUIn situations where the howitzer is dug in, or Whlarge quantities of ammunition will be fired fromposition, it may be necessary to prepare the ammuniton the ground. In this case No. 4 and the drivermount to the rear of the motor carriage. They sprJhe ammunition tarpaulin on the ground and placeammunition trough on it. Assisted by ammunition ha.lers, if available, No. 4 and the driver then remove Jmunition from containers, clean the projectiles and J,ridge cases, inspect the rotating bands, fix the chargJand assemble the rounds. No.4 then passes the rou~to No.3, who remains in the motor carriage. No.ceives the .rounds, sets or cuts the fuzes, andeitb~passes the rounds to No. 2 or places them on thecover, where No.2 can pick them up.50. REPACKING AMMUNITION IN CONTAINE'a. Great care must be exercised in returning ammunitilto. containers to insure that it is completely serviceab:Before a round is replaced in its container, an officer. the battery will prepare a slip of paper on whichcertifies, by his initials, that these checks have bemade .. ,(1) All seven increments present.(2) Increments serviceable and undamaged.

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~~))ncrements in proper numerical order.5 Increments have same lot number. .~) Lot number on ammunition same as on contamer.~'i The slip of paper bearing the fficer'snitials will. nserted under the sealing tape used to seal the con-~er. It will be visible after sealing. Only rounds for

:t ~h this certificate can properly be made. will be re-l~ ed. and sealed. ,If rounds must be repacked wheneldoffIcer is n?t present, they will. be ~o marked. ~ndack'for later mspection to determme If the certifIed

lUg slip may be attached.CARE OF AMMUNITION. Ammunition, especially

~cte~tating ban?s and cartridge cases, must be pro-, k from da.mage. It is sorted. and stored by lots. It, ept.l' In containers as long as practicable. Whether in10~Utf containers, it is protected from dirt and ground1'Olstureby being placed on tarpaulins or raised off theI1'O~nd.arpaulins or other covers should be used toect it from both rain and direct sun. '

2 Atr'u CCURACY IN LAYING. Sighting and laying in-tlechen~s,fuze setters, and elevating and traversingHe alllsms will be so operated as to minimize then set .of lost motion. This requires that last motionsiree~~Inginstruments and in laying be always in theirect10~S prescribed. The gunner and No.1, or ino ,,~/lre the gunner alone, will invariably be required)een ify the laying of the piece after the breech has

closed.i3. AI . . .~Oint~ING POSTS. a. When a suitable natural almmgillitiaulS not visible, the piece, after it has been laid1\"0 for direction, is referred to the aiming posts.s eq ~lming posts are used for each piece. Each postuipped with a lamp for use in f4ing at night. One ..

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post is set up in a convenient location at least 100 yfrom the piece. The other post is set up at thepoint between the first post and the piece and is Iiin by the gunner so that the vertical cross hair ofpanoramic telescope and the two .aiming posts arein line. Any lateral displacement of the piece dufiring can then be detected easily and corrected asdicated in paragraph 54. For night use, the lamps shObe adjusted so that the far one will appear severalhigher than the near one; thus the two lamps.will c1ly establish a vertical line on which the vertical Chair. of the panoramic telescope can be laid.b. The panoramic telescope is mounted aable distance away from the center. of rotation of

top carriage. As a result, lar.ge changes in deflection,cause misalignment of the. center of the top carr1Placing the aiming posts between 600 and 700the left front (deflection 2600 to 2500when the howiis in the center of traverse) will minimize thethis condition. .54. CORRECTION FOR DISPLACEMENT. WheIlgunner notes that the verticalbair of the telescopdisplaced from the line formed by the two aiming p(or aiming post lights), he lays in such a manner'the far aiming post (light) appears midway betweeIlnear aiming post (light) and the vertical hair. Ifdisplacement is due to traverse of the piece, the gUllcontinues to lay as described above. However, ifdisplacement is due to progressive shift in positiollthe carriage from shock of firing or other cause,gunner will notify the chief of section, who, at the flull in firing, will notify the executive and request .mission to' realign aiming posts. To perform the all,ment, the piece is laid with the sight picture descri1The far aiming post is moved into alignment

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.Vertical .hair of the telescope, and then the near~lng post is aligned. If due to terrain conditions, it~rn~racticable to move 'one of the two aiming posts,;tlec~ is laid for direction and referred to the a~mingd whICh cannot be moved. The other post is alIgnednew deflection setting reported to the executive.;e~EP~RTINGERRORS. All members of the how-III sectIon are trained to report to the chief of sec-a ~rrors in setting or laying discovered after the com-~e ~IRE has been given. The. chief of section ,will

1"\ dlately report errors to the executive, as prescnbedt'aragraph 2li.CEASE FIRING. The command CEASE FIRINGsrnally is given to the howitzer section by the chief. ect. . . .e lon, but III emergencies anyone present may gIverincorn~and. At this command, regardless of its source,lief WIll ce~se immediately. If the piece is loaded, ~herin o~ sectIon will report that fact to the executive.

le g IS resumed at the executive's .announcement ofrange or elevation.7. SlJS~G' PEND FIRING. The command SUSPEND FIR-ranIS given only when the battery is firing on a J?re-de~ed schedule and a temporary halt in the firingngSSIred.,At this command, firing is stopped, but set-~hedContmue to be altered in. conformity with the~ill ule. If the piece is loaded, the chief of sectioneS1J.~eportthat fact to the executive. Firing will be~G. ed at the executive's command RESUME FIR-~l .JNtgAUNLOAD THE PIECE. a. When the command~)stand.D. is given, No.1 opens the breech slowly. No.~artridlUg at the breech, receives the ejected round orge case.

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Section IX

CARE AND MAINTENANCEOF THE PIECE

------~-------------------I'eCENERAL. a. This section covers the maintenancerar' b IOns that may be performed by an armored artil-attery in the field.ll~dC~mplete ins~ructions for battery. maintenance. areIt In appropnate Technical Manuals. OperatIOns

dncovered in those publications are performed byance personnelc. I . .. .aintn general, the battery is charged with preventIveltinenance,. that is, with routine cleaning and .lubri-~plag. Certam classes of minor repairs, adjustments, and: thcement of parts may. be made urider the directionich executive officer or the artillery mechanic. PartsaSesmay be drawn by a battery for replacement pur-~d E:ar~ those listed in the Organizational Spare Parts)ecif.qu~pmentSection of the appropriate SNL. UnlesseSelC mstructions are issued to. the contrary, all of'or r pa~ts may be installed by. the artillery mechanic.SSignOutmecare and maintenance, specific duties areCCO\.led to individuals or howitzer sections and a strict~O\.lldtbility for the proper performance of such dutiesd e enforced.~e'b~e following operations may be p~rformedwithin(1) tery.(2) ~.aining and filling recoil mechanism.1.lrface.lthdrawing tube in cradle liner to clean bearing

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(3) Removal, disassembly, and replacement ofof the breechblock, breech operating mechanism,firing mechanism.(4) Replacement of minor parts or assemblies listethe Organizational Spare Parts section of the approp

SNL.61. CLEANING. Dirt and grit accumulated ining, or from. the blast of the piece in firing, may Son the bearing surfaces and, in combination withlubricant, form a cutting compound. Primer foulingtracts moisture and hastens the formation of rust. Dlulls in firing and immediately after firing, the Pmust be thoroughly cleaned. At other times itcleaned and oiled at daily intervals. Dirt on nonbesurfaces can usually be removed by water; lubricateother greasy parts must be cleaned with dry-cleasolvent applied with a rag. The procedure in cleaningbore and breech. mechanism is described in paragt64. The cleaning materials issued by the Ordnancepartment are listed in TM 9-850.62. LUBRICATION. For lubrication instructionSthe latest WD lubrication order for the. equipment.63. RECOIL MECHANISM. a.General. Batterytenance of the recoil mechanism is limited to ex tecleaning, lubricating, draining, and filling the 5)'~with recoil oil. Once the system has been correctly tby the prescribed procedure, maintenance isconfined to maintaining sufficient oil in the recoiltem. The amount of oil in the system is indicated byposition of the replenisher piston rod. The recoil 5)'Stfor the M37 mount differs from the tank mount ina replenisher cylinder has been added to thethe tank mount, an air void is left in the recoil cylirt76

trl

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~eallowfor expansion of oil when the temperatures in-e as~ during firing. In the M37 mount, the' replenisherl~ts the recoil cylinders to be completely filled with't~ Us eliminating the air void and reducing the shocke ,e gun mount when the weapon is fired. The re-rnlshercylinder then functions as an expansion cham-

k t~hen the oil becomes warm during firing. InasmuchS't,etemperatur. e of the oil in the system affects thel--llO .:Itl mng of the replenisher piston rod, the correctl(~untof oil in the system can be noted as follows:d) Insufficient oil is indicated when the replenisherbssprojects beyond the end of the replenisher cylinderharkthan one-half inch. The indicator rod has beenndledbapproximately one-half inch from the outer end.a eled FILL".r~2])Sufficient oil is indicated whe.n the replenisher rodeetseple . more than one-half inch beyond the end of the(3.u,sher cylinder ot beyond the mark titled "FILL".e~tExcessive oil is indicated when the ~eplenisher. rodYlindnded to its full length beyond the replenisherb er cap and the word DRAIN" exposed.

llg," ttspec~i?n and servicing before firing. Before fi~-he r pOSItIonof the replenisher rod is noted to see IfCldheeollsystem contains sufficient oil. If the indicatorl;'rO'he re )ect~ more than one-half inch beyond the en~ ofl1'ltvPlemsher cylinder or beyond the mark tItledCldd ' nothing further need be done. If the indicator~Ylindoesot project beyond the end of the replenishershClulde;;one-half inch, the replenisher filling plug~cre\Vd removed and the oil gun and hose assembly~~toh Into place. Sufficient oil should be pumpedl1'ltv~ replenisher to bring the indicator rod out to theandth mark. The oil gun and hose are then removede plug is screwe4, back in place.

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c. Inspection during firmg. During firing, the cof section should make sure that the replenisher sySis functioning properly. The replenisher cylinder flJtions as an expansion tank and the replenisher indic8rod will move outward a small amount each timeweapon is fired, because of the increase in temperaof the recoil oil.' During long. sustained periods of f~or when firing at a rapid rate, the recoil oil temperamay reach such a point that.' the r~plenisher pistonmove out its fulliengtn. A small hole located on theof the replenisher cylinder should permit the exceSoil to escape when the replenisher cylinder is comple!full. If this hole has become plugged or is improPlocated, the replenisher filling plug should be reI1l0and the ball check valve pressed off its seat withspout of the oil gun. The oil is then drained slowly jjlcleap.container until the replenisher rod has returneoapproximately the midpoint of travel. It must be re1Jlbered that oil drained out while the recoil system ismust be replaced when the system has cooled do~normal temperatu~e.MaHunction

Howitzer doesnot return tobattery.

78

CauseExcessive re-coil oil (whichfaulty replen-isher fails toindicate).

CorrectionAttempt to push:battery by hanJ..this isdrain a tablespooful of oil from re'plenisher and tJ1~again. If piecestill not return t~battery after drlll~ing one tablespoo, ful of oil three searate times, callOrdnance

impossibl

persofl

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MaHunction Cause CorrectionExcessive fric- Relubricate. Calltion of tube Ordnance personnelin cradle if condition persists.bearing.Replenisher Check for free move-piston stuck. ment of indicatorrod by tapping in-ward with hammerand brass drift. Ifthis does not correctthe trouble, drain oilfrom replenishercheck valve and fireagain. While drain-ing oil, note wheth-er replenisher rodmoves inward.Galling of Report to Ordnancebuffers. personnel for cor-

!low'rection.

tl} Itzer re- Replenisher Check for free move-terns to bat- piston stuck, . ment of indicatorg ry With too permitting rod by tapping in-reat a shock. air void. ward with hammerand brass' drift. Ifthis does not correctthe trouble, drain oilfrom, replenishercheck valve and fireagain. While drain-ing oil, note whetherreplenisher rodmoves inward.

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MaHunction Cause ,Stuck or ..galledbuffers.Insufficient re-coil oil (whichfaulty replen-isher fails toindicate).

CorrectionReport to Ordnancepersonnel.Allow recoil mech~anism to cool. Addoil one-quartergunful at a timeuntil proper actioI1of mechanism is ob'tained.

64. TUBE ASSEMBLY,BREECH MECHANISM ANJJFIRING MECHANISM. a. Operations during firing. (11During firing, all exposed bearing surfaces must be keVclean and covered with a thin film of lubricating oil.(2).~henever the rate of firing permits, swab the bort

with clean water and a sponge. .(3) The chief of section constantly observes the fuof

tioning of the materiel. Causes. and corrections of II1ilfunctioning of the :hreech and firing mechanisms artgiven in TM 9-324. . .b. Operations after firing. As soonas .possible

firing, disassemble the breechblock and firingism, clean all parts, and oil lightly. Thoroughly clean tb;bore. This cleaning will be repeated each day for at leilthree days or until there is no evidence of sweating.65. SIGHTING "AND FffiE CONTROL.EQUIPME~~a. General. Special car~ is required to insure theand accurate functioning of the sighting and fire COI1tt~mechanism. Exercise care to prevent denting softsurfaces or. scratching the glasses. Remove dirt frooptical surfaces by brushing with a .camel's hair br\Js,or lens tissue paper. To remove oil or grease,80

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afte

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positlv

Il1et~

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illg l' Ic 19-uid soap .or ethyl alcohol, applied with a cleanSarnels hair brush and then wiped lightly with lens tis-s~epaper,' is prescribed if available. Keep the unpaintedsce~lsurfaces covered with a light film of oil as pre-or~bedin current technical manuals to prevent cor-Slon.b. In general, the sights are correct.(1) Panoramic telescope.

re(~ In direction, if the azimuth scale and micrometerto a hzero when the line of sighting is in a plane parallelbo t e vertical pl.ane passing through the axis of. thereoro~b).n elevation, if, with the elevation indexes of theto ~lUg head set at zero, the line of sighting is parallel

e axis of the bore.th (2) Coaxial telescope. If the line of sighting. through.ofetl~erorange and deflection cross.is parallel to the axis

. e bore.SigCh. Testing equipment. Equipmen~ 'used in. testing

ts .. .f d11)a . ConSIsts0 bore sights, a gunner's quadrant, an11)/.Include a test target. ""Thetarget for sight adjust-150~tmay be a sharply defined distant aiming point,clo Or more yards away, or a test target for use intheseproximity, preferably not less than 100 yards. Ifto Vehicle is on uneven ground, cant the test. targetbe correspond with the cant of the vehicle. Test canbin. made without the bore sights by sighting with acro~scula~hrough the firing pin recess using improvised

hans at the muzzle.ql.l~dTest of the gunner's quadrant. To test the gunner'slant :ant, set the scales at zero, place it on the quad-bl.lbbleats on the breech ring, and level the quadrantreve e by means of the elevating handwheel. ThenCehttsethe quadrant on its seat. The bubble should


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tused, center the bubble by using the micrometer knoTake one-half the resultant reading and apply ita correction in the proper direction on all future setings. If the error exceeds 0.3 of a mil, the quadra, jshould be adjusted at the earliest opportunity by Ornance personnel.e. Verification and adjustment of panoramic telesco

mount and telescope. Periodically, and whenever tVmechanism is found to be out of adjustment, a detailetest and adjustment should be made. For this purpo'it is desirable to have the motor carriage on an approtimately level surface. It is assumed that all lost motiO~has' been eliminated and that cross-level bubbles 1in adjustment. (For details see TM 9-324). Test and ajustments are performed in sequence as follows:(1) Deflection adjustment of panoramic telescope-Insert bore sights in the breech and muzzle of the tub:or use improvised cross hairs on the muzzle and sigvlthrough the firing pin hole. Sight the tube on the te'ltarget or a sharply defined distant aiming point. sethe azimuth ind~x' opposite the zero of the defleet!~scale. With the azimuth worm knob, place the vert! ,cross hair of .the telescope .reticle on the proper po~

. tion of the test target or aiming point. If the azirnOscale and the micrometer scale do not indicate zero de-flection and the error is less than 50 mils, adjust in tb~following manner. Turn the azimuth worm knob ut1Vthe zero of the azimuth scale is opposite the inde~Loosen the three screws in the azimuth micrometer kllO eand, while holding the azimuth worm knob, slip tbmicrometer scale until the zero is opposite the mic(~meter jndex. Tighten the screws and recheck the scale;for zero reading. Then loosen the tangent locking scre~,at the front of the. telescope socket and adjust the ta Igent screws until the vertical cross hair is on the pro~eportion of the test target or aiming point. Tighten82

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~ngent locking screws and recheck. If the error is too~eat to be corrected in this manner, turn the azimuth!rorrn~nob until the vertical croSShair is on the prop-1J. portIon of the test target or aiming point. Then ad-'C~~ the micrometer scale to read zero. If the azimuth)n : does not now read zero, loosen the four screwsInrfe colJar above the scale and slip the scale around~ndl zero is opposite the index. Tighten the screws

recheck.h(2) Elevation adjustment. Turn the elevation knob ofe~'telescope until the zero horizontal cross hair. of thees~~lecorresponds with the appropriate mark of thengIng target. Loosen screws in end of knob and, hold-~e the knob, slip elevation micrometer scale until the'c;::wgraduation lines up with its index. Then tightenf. s a.n~ r:check the setting.l'h VerifIcatIon and adjustment of coaxial telescope.'a~e ~axial telescope is checked and adjusted at thethe tIme as the panoramic telescope and by means ofIln "h~e distant aiming point or the. same test target,farew .lch the tube is left sighted at the close of thetelegOlUg adjustment. After checking to see that thea.res~ope collars and the locating surfaces of the mountc1arnc e~n ~nd in full and firm contact, the rear holderto t IS tIght, and the telescope mount is firmly holtedfall e howitzer mount, the telescope is adjusted asWs' .de}})Deflection adjustment. If the telescope is off inection _( .It}e~h~osen the two gibadjusting bolts on the supportalllsmthib) Turn' the lateral adjustment micrometer to bring~ropzerodeflection line on to the aiming point or the(C)e~?Ortionof the test target.19hten the two bolts.

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(d) Check to see that the adjustment has not slipped(2) Elevation adjustment. If the telescope is off aJ

elevation.-(a) Loosen the holder clamping bolt. c(b) Turn the vertical adjustment micrometer- to bril1~aJ

the zero elevation line on to the aiming point or theProper portion of the test target.(c) Tightell the holder clamping bolt. .(d) ChecJs to see that the adjustment has not slipped; Sg. Verification and adjustment of range quadrant. (I;

Move range drum assembly indexes into coincidence'The elevation micrometer scale and the elevation scaleshould read zero. The range drum will indicate a readiI1~slightly greater than zero if properly assembled.(2) With the range drum properly assembled, if th eelevatioh' micrometer scale does not read zero, it is ad'justed in the following manner: . \\

(a) Loosen the three screws in the micrometer knob.(b) Without moving the knob, slide the ~ero of the

micrometer scale into coincidence with the index.(c) Tighten and recheck. "(3) With th~ elevation micrometer scale in

ment, if the elevation scale does not indicate zerO, ) .is adjustea in the following manner:(a) Loosen the two screws in the scale. Move scale

opposite the zero index.(b) .Tighten screws and recheck.(4) With the elevation micrometer scale and the elev~'

tion scale in adjustment and set at zero, the axis 6f th~bore is. accurately leveled and the trunnions are llPOproximately leveled, the angle of site is set at 300, ,11111,the cross-level bubble is centered. If the longitudlnlld.level bubble is not centered, the range quadrant is IIjusted in the following manner:84

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(a) Center the longitudinal bubble by means of thellgle of site knob.~l;b) ~hile holding the angle of site knob, loos~n thernpmg screw in the center of the knob and shp thellgleof site micrometer. to indicate zero.

th (c) If necessary, loosen the two screws which secure"3~angle of site scale and shift the scale so that thes graduation registers at the index line. Tighten thecrews to secure the scale in this position.e(d) Recheck. Further adjustment, if required, is toperformed only by authorized Ordnance personnel.

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Section X

DESTRUCTION OFEQUIPMENT

66. DESTRUCTION OF EQUIPMENT. a. Gener91principles. (1) Situations may arise when materiel mustbe destroyed to prevent.-

(a) Its capture intact by the enemy.(b) Its use by the enemy, if captured, against our owtl

or allied troops.(2) The principles to be followed are.-(a) Methods for the destruction of materiel subject to

capture orabandonIJlent in the combat zone must beadequate, l.lniform, and easily followed in the field.(b) De"structiori must be as complete as available time,

equipment, and personnel will permit. If thorough de'struction of all parts. cannot be completed, the most jrIl'portantfeatures of the materiel should be destroyed.The same essential parts must be destroyed on all likeunits to prevent the enemy from constructing one co~;pl~te u~tit from several damaged ones by "cannibalism'(c) The destruction of materiel subject to capture of

abandonment in the combat zone will be undertakeflonly when in the judgment of' the military commandet'concerned such action is necessary. The destruction fmateriel is a command decision to be implemented onon authority delegated by the division or higher cofT lmander.86

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.!(3) Crews will be trained in the. prescribed methods() destruction. Training will not involve the actual de-~ruction of materiel.f h. Methods. (1) The methods below are given in order() effectiveness. Adhere. to the sequence for eachlOethod.(2) Certain methods require special tools and equip-lOentsuch as TNT and incendiary grenades, which may~ot normally be. items of issue. The issue of such specialools and materiel, the vehicles for which issued, and theCOnditionsunder which destruction will be effected, are~?mmand decisions in each case, governed by the tacticalltuation.~. DESTRUCTION OF THE HOWITZER. a. Sights.theta~h all optical sights, If evacuation is possible, carrythe s~ghts; if evacuation is not possible, thoroughly smashe sIghts.III h. Method No. 1. (1) Open drain plugs on recoil

s echanism, allowing recoil fluid to drain. It is not neces-try to wait for the recoil fluid to drain completely be-Orefiring the howitzer as in (4) following.ta (2) Place an armed (safety pin removed) M9Al anti-a n~ grenade, HE, or armed (safety pin removed) M6allbtank rocket in the tube about six inches in front of,(:)d With the ogive. nose end toward, the HE shell. (Seefollowing.)i (3) Insert an HE shell with fuze set at "super-quick"the cannon and close the breech. Hase detonatingshell cannot be used in this method.Ie (4) .Fire the piece with a lanyard from a distance of atast 100 yards. The person firing should be under~ver to the rear of the piece and approximately 20' offline of fire. Elapsed time: Approximately two toee minutes.

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c. Method No.2. (1) See b(l) preceding. . . ,(2) Fire an HE round, assembled ..with a point deto~

nating fuze, against a similar round jammed in the muZ~zle. Take same precautions as in b(4) preceding.d. Method No.3. Insert three to five TNT blocks inthe bore near the muzzle, and eight to 10 in the cham~+ber of the howitzer. Close. the breechblock' as far aspossible without damaging the safety fuze. Plug themuzzle tightly with earth to a distance of approximatelythree calibers (12 inches). Detonate the TNT' chargessimultaneously. . .e. Method No.4. With another gun, fire at the tubeof the howitzer until it is damaged beyond usefulness. ' .if. Method No.5. Insert four unfuzed M14 incendiary

grenades end to end midway in the tubes at 0 eievation. Ignite .these four grenades by. a fifth equippedwith a 15-second Bickford. fuze. The metal from thegrenades will fuze with the tube and fill the grooves.Elapsed time: Two to three minutes.68. DESTRUCTION OF THE CALIBER .50 MA-CHINE GUN.a.. Method No. 1. Field strip; use barrel as a sledge.Raise cover; lay bolt in feedway; lower cover on bolt;smash down over bolt. Deform back plate. Wedgefer into rear of casing allowing depressors to protrude;break off depressors by striking the barrel. Lay barrelextension on its side. Hold down with one foot anbreak off the shank. Deform casing by strikingplates just back of the feedway. Elapsed time: Threeand one-half minutes.b. Method No~ 2. Insert bullet point ofround into muzzle and bend case slightly, distending

mouth of case to permit pulling of bullet. Spill powdefrom case, retaining sufficient powder to cover88

buf

sid

complet

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ottom of case to a depth of approximately one-eighthlch. Reinsert pulled bullet, point first, into the caselouth. Chamber and fire this round with the reducedharge; the bullet will stick in the bore. Chamber oneomplete round, lay weapon on ground, and fire withlanyard at least SO feet long. Use the best availableOver as this means of destruction may be dangerouso . the person destroying the weapon. Elapsed time:wo to three minutes.c. ~1achine Gun Tripod Mount, Caliber .50, M3. Uselachine gun barrel as a sledge. Deform pintle yoke.eform traversing dial. Fold rear ,legs and deform so

8 to prevent unfolding. Remove front leg and knock}ff yoke. Extend elevating screw and bend screw bystriking with barrel. Turn mount over; deform head',embly and knock off dial locking screw and pintleock. Elapsed time: Three minutes.69. DESTRUCTION OF 'THE M37 ~fOTOR CAR-!\IACE. a. Method No.1 (1) Remove and empty theP.ortable fire extinguisher. puncture fuel tanks if prac-tIcable. Use fire of caliber .50 machine gun or cannon,Oruse a fragmentation grenade for this purpose. Placel'NT charges as follows: 'Three pounds between engines.Two pounds against transfer unit., One-half pound against left fuel tank. Use only aeap (no fuze) in this charge. point cap end toward threePound charge.Insert tetryl nonelectric caps with at least five feet ofSafety fuze in each charge. Ignite the fuzes and takeeover. Elapsed time: One to two minutes if charges arePrepared beforehand and carried in the vehicle.(2) If sufficient time and materials are available, ad-ditional destruction of track-laying vehicles may be

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accomplished by placing a two-pound TNT charge atabout the center of each track-laying assembly. Detonate ISthose charges in the same manner as the others.

(3) If charges are prepared beforehand and carried \1in the vehicle, keep the caps and fuzes separated from ithe charges until used. 'fb. Method No.2. Remove and empty the portable

fire extinguisher. Puncture' fuel tanks. Fire on the vehicleusing adjacent tanks, antitank or other artillery, anti~tank rockets, or grenades. Aim at the engine, suspension,and armament in that order. If a good fire .is started,the vehicle may be considered destroyed. Elapsed time:About five minutes per vehicle. Destroy the last re~maining vehicle by the best means available.

70. DESTRUCTION OF AMMUNITION. ~. General.(1) Time will not usually permit the destruction of allammunition in forward combat zones.(2) When sufficient time and materials are available,

ammunition may Qe des,troyed as indicated in following. paragraphs. At least 30 to 60 minutes may be requiredto destroy adequately the ammunition carried by corwbat units.(3) In general, the methods, and safety precautionS

outlined in TM 9-1900 should be followed wheneverpossible. ,b. Unpacked complete round ammunition. (1) Stack

ammunition in small piles. (Small. arms ammunition ma)'be heaped.) Stack or pile most of the available gasolinein cans and drums around the ammunition. Throw ontothe pile all available inflammable material such as ra~s,scrap wood, and brush. Pour the remaining availablegasoline -over the pile. Sufficient inflammable materialmust be used to insure a very hot fire. Ignite the gasO~line and take cover.'90

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1

(2) l05mm howitzer ammunition can be destroyed bympathetic detonation using TNT. Stack the ammuni-on in two stacks about 'three inches apart with fuzes1 each stack toward each other. Place TNT chargesetween the stacks. Use one pound of TNT for each~ur or five rounds of ammunition. Detonate all chargesIf TNT simultaneously from cover.c. Packed complete round ammunition. (1) Stack theoxed or bundled ammunition in small piles. Cover withl11 available inflammable materials, such as rags, scrapood, brush, and gasoline in drums or cans. pour gaso-ine over the pile. Ignite the gasoline and take cover.Small arms ammunition must be broken out of theoxes or cartons before burning.)(2) The destruction of packed complete round am-unition by sympathetic detonation with TNT is not

advocated for use in forward combat zones. To insure~atisfactory destruction, TNT must be put in alternate~ases or. bundles of ammunition, a time consuming job.d .. Miscellaneous. Grenades, antitank mines, and anti-

tank rockets may be destroyed by the Illethods outlinedabove for complete rounds. The amount of TNT neces-8ary to detonate these munitions is considered less than,that.required for detonating artillery shells; pyrotechnics'nd similar material should be destroyed by burning.\11. FIRE CONTROL EQUIPMENT. a. All fire controlI~quipment, including optical sights and binoculars, is!~fficult to replace. It should be the last equipment toI e destroyed. If evacuation of personnel is made, all~ossible items of fire control equipment should be car-tied. If evacuation of personnel is not possible, fire con-trol equipment IPust be thoroughly destroyed as in-dicated below .. b. Firing, tables, trajectory charts, slide rules, andsimilar items sh.ould be .thoroughly burned.

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c. All optical equipment that cannot be evacuatedwill be thoroughly smashed.

72. PNEUMATIC TIRES. a. General. (1) Rubber issuch a critical item that whenever materiel is subject tocapture or abandonment, an attempt to destroy pneu~matic tires must always be made, even if time will notpermit destruction of the remainder of the vehicle.

(2) With adequate planning and training, however,the destruction of tires may be accomplished in con~junction with destruction of the vehicle without in~creasing the time necessary.b. Method No. 1. Ignite an :M 14 incendiary grenade

under each. tire.c. Method No.2. (1) Damage the tires with an axe,

pick, or hearymachine gun fire (deflate them beforedoing this, if possible). Pour spare gasoline on tireS,dousing each one, and ignite.(2) When used in conjunction with. wheeled vehicle

destruction, the ensuing fire will adequately destroYthe vehicle.

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II

Paragraphs Pages52 7115 2614 2153 7140 63

ccuracy in layingdditional services, periodicfter operation maintenanceiming postslert, in direct fire.mmunitionCareDestruction.In direct firePreparing on groundRepacking in containers

~mmunition trailer~efore .operation inspection30resighting, direct fire3reech mechanism --.-------------~-----::annoneers, in indirect fire

No. 1No. 2No. 3No. 4

Care' of ammunitionCare and maintenance of the pieceCease firingChief of section, in indirect fireCleaning, of materiel ------------------_.Composition, of sectionCorrection, for displacementbestruction, of equipmentAmmunitionFire control equipmentHowitzer -..;.- ..

INDEX----------------------

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Paragraphs Pages68 8869 89 C72 92 f.35-48 5940 63 f42 6337 5943 6447 6938 6139 6344 6448 6936 5945 6546 6541 6343 64

8 647 6954 72

33,34 5812 1738 6155 7339 6365 8071 9164 8056 7359 7457 73

Machine gun, caliber .50Motor carriagePneumatic tires

Direct fireAlertAmmunitionBoresightingDirection, of targetDispersionDuties in firingFire commandsLeadNight firingPreparatory stepsRangeSubsequent fire' commandsTarget

Direction, in direct fire ----~..:...;----------Dismounting, howitzer sectionDispersion, direct fire -.:----------------Displace~ent correctionDriver, in indirect fireDuring operation inspectionDuties in firing, direct fireErrors, reporting ofFire' commands, direct fireFire control equipmentDestruction of. ---------..:.-------------

Firing

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105MM Howitzer Motor Carriages M37.~187

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