Airlanding Light Battery (BBX20) with 4 guns with crew, Observer team, Staff team and 2 Command Rifle teams.
When the British Airborne forces were formed a number of options were considered when looking for a suitable air-transportable light artillery piece. Initially the 3.7 inch howitzer was used, but the more modern M1A1 howitzer replaced this before any of the airborne artillery went into action.
The British replaced the 3.7 inch howitzer with the American 75mm M1A1 pack howitzer, a modern light artillery weapon that had been developed for the U.S. mountain forces. Because of its light construction and easy breakdown it proved a very good choice as an airborne weapon. The M1A1 fitted into the British gliders, and because of good design was even light enough to be dropped by Parachute.
Technical Details
Calibre: 75mm
Length: 1321mm
Weight: 588.88 kg
Elevation: -5 to 45 degrees
Traverse: 6 degrees
Muzzle Velocity: 381 m/s
Maximum Range: 8930 m
Shell Weight: 6.247 kg