240mm Howitzer M1
240mm M1 Black Dragon
Overview
240mm Howitzer M1
Forward view of an US Army 240mm Howitzer M1 in firing position.
Source: US Army -
© Public domain
Black Dragon (nickname)
Taiwan
Description
Introduction
The 240mm Howitzer M1 is a World War 2 era howitzer of US origin. It was designed to replace the M1918, which was a pre-World War I era design of French origin. This weapon is nowadays best known by its nickname "Black Dragon". This weapon was intended for use against heavy fortifications, such as the Siegfried Line. In practice these howitzers were mostly used in the counter battery role and shelling regular defensive lines.
Design
The M1 Black Dragon is a massive artillery piece. Although listed as a towed artillery piece, it differs significantly from towed guns on a wheeled. Whereas wheeled guns are usually set up in minutes, the M1 must be set up using in an elaborate process. The M1 Black Dragon consists of two major components. These are the gun and the cradle. The cradle is placed firmly on the ground and has two large legs. A recoil pit is dug between the legs to allow for recoil at high angles. Plateaus on either side of the gun allow easier access to large elevation and traverse wheels. A crew of 14 is needed to operate this howitzer.
Firepower
The 240mm Howitzer M1 fires a 160 kg shells, the heaviest in regular US Army use in World War 2. Maximum range is 23 km, allowing it to be used in the counter battery role. Maximum rate of fire is 1 round per minute. Sustained fire halves this rate to 30 shells per hour. Compared to the 32.5 km maximum range of the 8-inch Gun M1, barrel wear was significantly less on the Black Dragon, making it more useful in practice.
Mobility
The M1 Black Dragon is difficult to transport and slow to set up. The gun and cradle are transported separately on specially designed trailers. These were intended to be towed by a Mack NO 6x6 heavy truck, which worked fine on roads. On softer ground a tracked prime mover was needed. Emplacement time is about two hours. This makes it vulnerable to counter battery fire, if within reach, or air strikes. A self-propelled tracked mount was in development as the T92. This was based on a stretched M26 Pershing tank chassis. This design did not leave the prototype stage, with five vehicles built.
Users
The main user of the M1 Black Dragon was the US Army. These guns were used in the European theater, mostly in Italy. During World War 2 a small batch of 13 guns were used by the UK. A small number was transported to be Pacific and saw no significant use. Later these howitzers were used in the Korean War. Several allies received these howitzers. The only active user remains Taiwan, which has several of these in the anti-shipping role mounted on turntables in special bunkers.
Details
Media
240mm Howitzer M1
Forward view of a camouflaged US Army 240mm Howitzer M1 in firing position in 1944.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
Rear view of a 240mm Howitzer M1 seen firing in Italy in 1944.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
The carriage of a 240mm Howitzer M1 being hoisted into position by a truck mounted crane.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
The gun and recoil assembly of a 240mm Howitzer M1 being hoisted onto the carriage by a truck mounted crane.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
US soldier loading a 240mm Howitzer M1 somewhere on the Cassino front early in 1944.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
Rear view of a 240mm Howitzer M1 seen firing in December of 1944.
Source: US Army
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
Republic of China 240mm Howitzer M1 mounted in a dedicated turntable position is being test fired in 2004.
Source: Republic of China Ministry of National Defense
Copyright: Public domain
240mm Howitzer M1
Left side view of a 240mm Howitzer M1 in service with the Republic of China.
Source: S. Chen
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
240mm Howitzer M1
Top view of a 240mm Howitzer M1 in service with the Republic of China.
Source: S. Chen
Copyright: Copyright lies with original owner
Related articles
Mack NO
Each 240mm Howitzer M1 was transported by two Mack NO trucks. One for the barrel and recoil system on the dedicated M3 transport wagon, another for the carriage on the M2 transport wagon.