The 8 inch Howitzer was a leftover from the first world war. By 1939 only the Mark 8 was still in service. Several of them were left behind in France in 1940 so it was decided to replace it with the 7.2 inch. The carriage was to be used as it stood and the breech mechanism and any other useful bits incorporated into the new design. The gun was cannibalised out of service in 1941. Apart from some counter-bombardment work in France in 1940 and use as a training weapon, it played little part in the war. The 8 inch Howitzer was declared obsolete in July 1943.
Data
Weight of Gun & Breech Mechanism
7,560 lbs
Total Length
148.4 inches
Length of Bore
138.4 inches (17.3 calibres)
Rifling
48 grooves, uniform right hand 1/25
Breech Mechanism
Asbury interrupted screw, percussion fired
Elevation
0° to +45°
Traverse
4° right & left
Recoil System
Hydropneumatic variable, 24 to 52.5 inches
Weight in Action
20,048 lbs
Performance
Firing standard 200lb HE Shell
Muzzle velocity
1,500 feet per second
Maximum range
12,400 yards
Ammunition
Shell, HE Mark 15
Nose fuzed non-streamlined. Percussion Fuze No. 101E or 106E
