Artillery - USA: Books - History, Types and Construction

American Civil War Artillery 1861–65 (1)

Perhaps the most influential arm of either army in the prosecution of the American Civil War, the artillery of both sides grew to be highly professional organizations, centralizing their artillery, organizing artillery battalions from individual batteries and giving their commanders higher ranks than field artillerymen had previously held. In battle, the introduction of the 12-pdr. Napoleon , followed closely by rifled cannon, provided a range and power previously unknown on American soil.

This book details this vital cog in the war-machine of both sides.

Contents: Introduction - The pre-war Field Artillery - Design and development of Field Artillery - Operational history - The Plates - Bibliography - Index.

American Civil War Artillery 1861–65 (2)

Because of the length of the coastline of the United States, from the beginning American ordnance and engineers placed an emphasis on heavy artillery mounted in coastal defences. The Union army organised its 'Heavy Artillery' into separate regiments, uniformed and equipped differently.
While the Field Artillery was assigned across the fighting fronts Heavy Artillery units served the big guns in the forts and the defences of Washington. The Confederates did not differentiate types of artillery and those that became known as Heavy Artillery did so through informal association rather than formal designation.

This book details the development and usage of the big guns.

Contents: Introduction - Heavy Artillery Usage - US Organisation - CS Organisation - The Columbiad - Howitzers - Mortars - Rifled Guns - Parrott Rifles - Naval Guns - Bitish-made Guns - Ammunition - Heavy Artillery Usage - Conclusion.

American Breechloading Mobile Artillery 1875-1953 - An Illustrated Identification Guide

An illustrated identification guide to all the types of mobile field artillery (wheeled) adopted for service by US military forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps) in the modernera.
Covers the period from 1875 and the first breechloading, rifled guns through types adopted during the Korean War. Major types profiled are field and infantry artillery, mountain guns, siege artillery, anti-tank guns and naval landing guns.

Each type of gun is described in text, drawings, and photographs. Included are the history of the types development, major features, production, combat usage and comments about surviving examples. It will prove to be a valuable reference guide to military historians, students of artillery technology, and those caring for or collecting surviving examples.

This is the first comprehensive guide to American mobile artillery ever to be published.

US Field Artillery of World War II

Determined to learn from the lessons of World War I, the US Army developed a new generation of field artillery weapons and tactics during the 1930s. Consequently, in World War II it was the clear leader in field artillery providing a thorough examination of the many critical innovations and doctrines, and the impact they had on performance, including the motorization of artillery, Fire Direction Centers, aerial observation, and radio communications. Exploring, in their entirety, the weapons that formed the backbone of the US artillery arsenal in World War II, this book reveals a wealth of detail not readily available elsewhere.

Contents: Introduction - The World War I Legacy - US Divisional Field Artillery - US Corps Heavy Artillery - The International Dimension - Cannon on the Move - Further Reading - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

US Anti-tank Artillery, 1941-45

The US Army's development of the 37mm anti-tank gun began in response to needs identified during the Spanish Civil War. By the time it entered service in Tunisia in 1943, the gun was already obsolete, and the US began the licensed manufacture of the British 6-pdr in the hope of finding a quick solution to its artillery requirements. This in turn proved unequal to the demands of warfare in France in 1944, and further anti-tank measures were developed - rocket propelled grenades for infantry use, and weapons designed specifically for use by the Tank Destroyer Force.

Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Operation History - Variants - Color plate commentary.

155 mm Gun M1 'Long Tom': US Army Field Gun in World War II and Korea

Developed from the WWI-vintage French Canon de 155 mm Grande Puissance Filloux (GPF), the 155 mm gun M1A1, known as the "Long Tom," along with its companion, the 8-inch howitzer M1, formed the backbone of the US Army's heavy field artillery during WWII and Korea.
With ranges of just over 14 miles for the gun, and 10.5 miles for the howitzer, the cannons were notable for their long reach, heavy impact, and accuracy. These weapons were used on every front where GIs fought during WWII, and continued to be used by US forces, as well as those of allied nations, into the 1960s.

Through vintage and modern photos, this volume follows the development of the 155 mm and the 8-inch, the details of their construction, and field use, as well as providing an overview of their associated prime movers and ammunition carriers, including the Mack NO and the Allis-Chalmers M4 high-speed tractor of the WWII era, and the Mack M125 10-ton 6×6 of the 1950s.

High Speed Tractor M-4 Technical Manual (TM 9-785)

Designed by Allis Chalmers on the chassis and drive train of the M2 Light Tank, the 18-ton M4 High Speed Tractor was a prime mover for the U.S. Army during World War II. It was tasked with moving artillery, in particular 3-inch and 90mm anti-aircraft guns, 155mm guns, and 8-inch and 240mm howitzers.

Built as a "crawler" and equipped with a 6-cylinder, water-cooled engine, the M4 could travel cross-country through swamps and sand, or on the highway at speeds up to 33 mph. Over 5,500 M4s were built between 1942 and 1945, with many remaining in service into the 1960s.

Created in 1943, this official TM 9-785 Technical Manual reveals a great deal about the M4's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance, this manual shows many aspects of its engine, cooling, power, drive train and other systems.
Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.