M101 howitzer

M101/M101A1 105 mm Howitzer
M101/M101A1 105 mm Howitzer
	A CH-21 Shawnee carrying an M101 artillery piece A CH-21 Shawnee carrying an M101 artillery piece
Type	Howitzer
Place of origin	United States of America
Production history
Manufacturer	Rock Island Arsenal
Specifications
Mass	2 260 kg (4 980 lbs)
Length	5.94 m (19.5 ft)
Barrel length	22 calibre: 2.31 m (7.58 ft)
Width	2.21 m (7.25 ft)
Height	1.73 m (5.66 ft)
Caliber	105 mm
Elevation	-5' to +66'
Traverse	46'
Muzzle velocity	472 m/sec (1 548 ft/sec)
Maximum firing range	11 270 m (6.9 mi)

The 105 mm Howitzer M2A1(M101) was the standard medium field howitzer for the U.S. in World War II, seeing action in both European and Pacific theatres. Entering production in 1941, it quickly entered the war against the Japanese Imperial Army in the Pacific, where it gained a reputation for its accuracy and powerful punch. The M101 fired 105 mm H.E. semi-fixed ammunition and had a range of 11,200 m, making it suitable for supporting infantry. All these important qualities of the weapon, along with its widespread production, led to its adoption by many countries after the war. Its ammunition type also became the standard for many foreign countries' later models. After minor changes in the post war era, the howitzer became known as the M101A1. It continued to see service in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Though a similar model, the M102 howitzer, shared the same roles in battle, it never fully replaced the M101. Today the 101A1 has been retired by the U.S. military, though it continues to see service with many other countries.

The Canadian Forces continued to use the M2A1 as the C1 Howitzer until 1997 when a modification was made to extend its service life. It is now designated the C3. Its improvements include a longer barrel, a muzzle brake, reinforced trails and the removal of shield flaps. It remains the standard light howitzer of Canadian reserve force units. It is regularly seen firing gun salutes at Queen's Park, the seat of power of the Ontario government, in Toronto, Canada. Several dates for this include Victoria Day, Canada Day, Remembrance Day, as well as the opening of Parliament. The salutes are fired by local reserve unit 7th Toronto Regiment, RCA.

See also