M101 howitzer
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| M101/M101A1 105 mm Howitzer | |
|---|---|
 Marines from 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division fire a M101 105 mm Howitzer during the playing of taps at the Iwo Jima 60th Anniversary Commemorative on 26 March 2005 |
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| Type | Howitzer |
| Place of origin | United States of America |
| Service history | |
| Used by | United States of America,Australia,Canada,Croatia,Yougoslavia |
| Wars | World War II,Korean War,Vietnam War |
| Production history | |
| Manufacturer | Rock Island Arsenal |
| Produced | 1941 |
| Variants | M101A1, M101A2 |
| Specifications | |
| Weight | 2 260 kg (4 980 lb) |
| Length | 5.94 m (19.5 ft) |
| Barrel length | 22 calibre: 2.31 m (7.58 ft) |
| Width | 2.21 m (7.25 ft) |
| Height | 1.73 m (5.66 ft) |
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| Caliber | 105 mm |
| Elevation | -5' to +66' |
| Traverse: | 46' |
| Muzzle velocity | 472 m/s (1 548 ft/s) |
| Maximum range | 11 270 m (6.9 mi) |
The 105 mm Howitzer M2A1(M101) was the standard medium field howitzer for the U.S. in World War II, seeing action in both European and Pacific theatres. Entering production in 1941, it quickly entered the war against the Japanese Imperial Army in the Pacific, where it gained a reputation for its accuracy and powerful punch. The M101 fired 105 mm H.E. semi-fixed ammunition and had a range of 11,200 m, making it suitable for supporting infantry. All these important qualities of the weapon, along with its widespread production, led to its adoption by many countries after the war. Its ammunition type also became the standard for many foreign countries' later models. After minor changes in the post war era, the howitzer became known as the M101A1. It continued to see service in the Korean War and Vietnam War. Though a similar model, the M102 howitzer, shared the same roles in battle, it never fully replaced the M101. Today the 101A1 has been retired by the U.S. military, though it continues to see service with many other countries.
The Canadian Forces continued to use the M2A1 as the C1 Howitzer until 1997 when a modification was made to extend its service life. It is now designated the C3. Its improvements include a longer barrel, a muzzle brake, reinforced trails and the removal of shield flaps. It remains the standard light howitzer of Canadian reserve force units.
A number of M2/M101 howitzers were used by Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia and approximately 50 were inherited by Croatia. Yugoslavia manufactured the M101 as the M56, and 100 of these were inherited by Croatia.
Also known as the M2A1 Howitzer.
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| United States artillery of World War II |
|---|
| Tank guns |
| 37 mm M5/M6 | 75 mm M2/M3/M6 | 76 mm M1 | 3in M7 | 90 mm M3 |
| Anti-tank guns |
| 37 mm M3 | 57 mm M1 | 3in M5 |
| Field, Medium and Heavy guns |
| 75 mm M1/M116 | 105 mm M2/M101 | 105 mm M3 155 mm M1/M114 | 155 mm M1/M2/M59 "Long Tom" | 203 mm M1/M2/M115 |
| Other vehicle mounted |
| 75 mm M2/M3 | 105 mm M1/M2 | 105 mm M4 | 155 mm M1918M1 | 155 mm M2 |
| Anti-aircraft guns |
| 37 mm M1 | 40 mm M1 | 3in M3 | 90 mm M1 |
