Light Howitzer. Practical. For the present, the division should be armed with the 155 howitzer, Schnieder, but active development and test should be made on a type as stated under “Ideal” above, and with the ammunition and other accessories to it. Upon the development of the carriage as nearly approximating the ideal as may be practically possible, efforts should be made to secure quantity production in order that it may be incorporated in the division as recommended. In addition, a split trail carriage for this howitzer should be developed.
Transport. The light howitzer should have the same means of transport as the light field gun and the same remarks heretofore made as to the probable future development of the field gun also apply to the howitzer carriage.
CORPS ARTILLERY.
Missions. It will be noted above that the division artillery missions did not include their own protection against the enemy artillery. This counter-battery work is the principal mission of the corps artillery. The corps artillery has also the mission of extensive harassing and interdicting fire along the corps front and to a greater depth than the capabilities of the division artillery; also of destructive fire on strong points as well as on railroad facilities and points of supply. For the accomplishment of these corps artillery missions there are two types of artillery necessary, a gun and a howitzer, each having 16,000 yards range and each weighing with the carriage about 11,000 pounds. There is another class of artillery called anti-aircraft artillery to be considered. This is used first in providing anti-aircraft defense for army zones, for certain areas in rear of armies or along a certain line of anti-aircraft defense.
Medium Gun Discussion. The consensus of opinion of artillery officers—Italian, English and American—is that a medium gun of about 6” caliber is necessary. The medium type gun furnished to the American army was the 4.7 (Model 1906). This gun has a maximum elevation of 15 degrees with a corresponding maximum range of 8,750 yards. The British army was equipped with the 5” gun—the carriage permits a maximum elevation of 21 degrees and 30 minutes, giving a maximum range of 12,500 yards. The French army was equipped with, to a certain extent, the 105-mm and the 140-mm gun. The 105-mm gun a maximum elevation of 37 degrees, with a maximum range of 13,900 yards. The 140-mm gun has a maximum elevation of 30 degrees and, with a high velocity, has a maximum range of 19,500 yards. The French 105-mm gun is a modern weapon (1913). The German artillery was equipped with a 105-mm gun (M-1917) with a maximum elevation of 45 degrees, and a maximum range of 16,000 yards. The German army was also equipped with the 130-mm gun, having a maximum range of 16,500 yards. The Austrian army was similarity equipped. The Italians were equipped with a 105-mm gun essentially of the same characteristics as the French 105-mm M-1913.
Medium Gun. Ideal. A caliber of between 4.7 and 5” on a carriage permitting a vertical arc of fire of from minus 5 degrees to plus 80 degrees; a horizontal arc of fire of 360 degrees. Shrapnel and shell weighing not over 60 pounds, maximum range 18,000 yards; with semi-fixed or separate loading ammunition permissible.
Medium Gun Practical. Corps artillery should be armed with the present type 4.7” gun, Model 1906, except that at least one regiment should be armed with the British type 5”-guns purchased abroad.
Transport. All corps guns should be developed for long, rapid hauls. Similar ammunition vehicles should be developed. The wheels for the gun carriage should be rubber-tired.
Medium Howitzer. In the opinion of the French, Italians, British and the Americans, the 155-mm howitzer (Schnieder) was conspicuously successful in the present war. It should, therefore, be retained as a type. The howitzer and carriage as it stands at present, is a highly satisfactory and efficient piece of armament. For the future it is believed that effort should be made to increase the range by improvements in the form of projectile, and it is believed that the form of howitzer and carriage should be studied with a view of obtaining, through modifications, a maximum range of approximately 16,000 yards.
Many batteries of 155-mm howitzers (Schnieder) were motorized in the American Army in France, and the consensus of opinion is definitely toward the retention of this form of prime mover. It is interesting to note that all the important belligerents have settled upon a howitzer of approximately 6” in caliber, and otherwise essentially of the same ballistic characteristics as the type in question. The projectile of this caliber is the smallest projectile which can be called upon to give adequate mining effect against material targets of semi-permanent nature. The place of this howitzer is, therefore, determined by considerations of its destructive ability. It is a splendid destruction and neutralizing weapon.