Originally posted by S-2
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Some units insisted that the section chief only observe but the deck is so small that 5 people just trip over each other.
A 175mm projo weighs 145lbs. A 203mm projo weighs 200lbs. Those are two man jobs just to get the round up to the loading tray for ramming. Chief of section plus those men on the weapon and two loading the tray is six men. IIRC there a auto ramming mechanism but timing may be an issue. If so, the round doesn't fully seat tight around the rotating band. If so, the danger of blow-by is increased. Likely, therefore that two more men are manning a ramming staff. Now eight. That leaves five to prep ammo, handle RTO duties, dispose unused propellant and dunnage and keep the ROMF (Record Of Missions Fired) form. Voila! Thirteen. Toss in sustained firing ops (such as Yom Kippur) and you've other issues like maintenence and fatigue.
Min manning without getting someone hurt.
4 on the gun,
1 on the hooks and writing the ROF
4 running ammo.
2 running powder
So 11, without local suck, advance party man or any of the other things that come up in a firing battery.
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