06-24-2007, 11:51 AM
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#25 (permalink)
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Lord High Hullabalooster
Senior Contributor
Join Date: 11-23-04
Location: Columbia Heights, MN
Country: 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by glyn
I wasn't sure either, so a rummage through my reference books ensued!
The Canone de 75 Mle 1897 widely known as the 'Famous French 75' introduced the quick-firing concept (on-carriage recoil system, one piece round of ammunition, shield, quick-action breech) and made every other field gun obsolete overnight. It, too, became obsolete in its turn but the French kept on using it until 1940, by which time it was hopelessly outclassed. Many were captured by the Germans after the fall of France, and they were adapted for use as a stopgap anti-tank gun to counter the T-34 tank in 1941. It was adopted by the US Army in 1917 and used by them until 1945, even being used as an anti-ship gun mounted on B-25 bombers. It was also used by several other armies, including those of Poland, Portugal, Greece, Romania, Ireland and the Baltic states.
(Extracted from Ian Hoggs book 'Twentieth Century Artillery')
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Yes, I believe they were used on the M3 TDs - basically an M3 halftrack with a 75mm bolted into the back - but that the Sherman gun was a new gun completely.
-dale |
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