Ordnance QF 25-pounder
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| Ordnance QF 25-pounder | |
|---|---|
| Name | Ordnance QF 25-pounder |
| Caption | A 25-pounder in action, circa 1944. |
| Origin | United Kingdom |
| Type | Field gun / Howitzer |
| Service | 1940–present (ceremonial) |
| Used by | British Army, Commonwealth forces, and others |
| Wars | Second World War, Korean War, others |
| Designer | Royal Arsenal |
| Design date | Late 1930s |
| Manufacturer | Vickers-Armstrongs, Royal Ordnance Factories |
| Number | ~12,000 |
| Weight | Combat: 1,800 kg (3,968 lb) |
| Length | 7.32 m (24 ft) in travel |
| Part length | 2.47 m (8 ft 1 in) L/28 |
| Width | 2.13 m (7 ft) |
| Height | 1.6 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Cartridge | Separate-loading 87.6 x 292mm R |
| Caliber | 87.6 mm (3.45 in) |
| Action | Screw breech |
| Rate | 6–8 rpm |
| Velocity | 532 m/s (1,745 ft/s) |
| Range | 12,253 m (13,400 yd) |
| Max range | 13,400 yards |
| Feed | Manual |
| Sights | No. 9 Dial Sight |
| Carriage | Split trail |
| Elevation | -5° to +45° |
| Traverse | 8° on carriage, 360° on platform |
Ordnance QF 25-pounder. The Ordnance QF 25-pounder was the primary field artillery piece of British and Commonwealth forces throughout the Second World War and for decades after. Renowned for its reliability, versatility, and high rate of fire, it served in every theatre of the war from the Western Desert to the Burma Campaign. Its innovative design combined the roles of a traditional field gun and a howitzer, making it one of the most successful artillery pieces of the 20th century.
Development and design
The 25-pounder's development stemmed from a late-1930s requirement to replace the aging Ordnance QF 18-pounder and the 4.5-inch howitzer. Designed primarily at the Royal Arsenal in Woolwich, it entered production on the eve of the Second World War. Its key feature was a modern split trail carriage that allowed for a wide 8° traverse, but when used with a removable firing platform, the gun could be quickly rotated for a full 360° traverse, essential for engaging fast-moving Panzer formations. The No. 9 Dial Sight and a carriage that permitted high-angle fire gave it exceptional accuracy in both direct and indirect fire roles, functioning effectively as a field gun and a howitzer.
Service history
The 25-pounder entered service in 1940 and first saw major action during the Battle of France and the subsequent Dunkirk evacuation. It became iconic during the North African Campaign, where its mobility and rapid fire were crucial against the Afrika Korps in battles like El Alamein. It provided relentless support during the invasion of Sicily, the Italian Campaign, and the Normandy landings, firing devastating barrages during operations like Operation Goodwood. The gun remained in frontline service through the Korean War, where it supported Commonwealth troops, and saw action in regional conflicts like the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965.
Variants
The main production version was the **25-pounder Mark II** on the **Carriage 25-pounder Mark I**. A crucial early variant was the **25-pounder Mark I** (or "18/25-pounder"), which used the old Ordnance QF 18-pounder carriage converted to fire the new shell as an interim measure. For airborne forces, the **25-pounder Short, Mark I** was developed with a shortened barrel and a lighter carriage for glider transport, used by the 6th Airborne Division. Post-war, Australia produced the **Ordnance QF 25-pounder Mark II** on the **Carriage Light, Mark I**, and Canada developed a self-propelled version by mounting the gun on a Ram tank chassis, known as the **Sexton**.
Ammunition
The 25-pounder used separate-loading ammunition, with the projectile and propellant charge loaded independently. The standard high-explosive (HE) shell weighed 25 pounds (11.3 kg). A variety of propellant charges allowed gunners to adjust range and trajectory. Other natures included smoke, illumination, and armour-piercing shells. A particularly influential round was the shell fitted with a VT fuze (proximity fuze), which proved devastating against infantry in the open during the latter stages of the Second World War.
Operators
The primary operator was the British Army, which equipped its Royal Artillery regiments. It was widely used by Dominion forces, including the Australian Army, Canadian Army, New Zealand Army, Indian Army, and South African Army. Post-war, it was exported to many nations within the British Empire and beyond, seeing service with the armies of Austria, Denmark, Ireland (Irish Army), Jordan, Burma, Portugal, and Ceylon, among others.
Surviving examples
Hundreds of 25-pounders survive as memorials and museum pieces across the Commonwealth. Notable displays include examples at the Imperial War Museum Duxford, the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich, the Australian War Memorial in Canberra, and the Canadian War Museum in Ottawa. Many remain in use for ceremonial purposes, such as firing salutes at the Tower of London and by the Honourable Artillery Company. They are also prized exhibits at historical sites like the National Museum of Military History (South Africa) and the Musée de l'Armée in Paris.
Category:Field artillery Category:World War II artillery of the United Kingdom Category:QF 25-pounder