This field gun, a 5.5-inch howitzer, was of the type used by The Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery during its campaigns in Italy and North-West Europe. This memorial is dedicated to the artillery regiments of Canada.
5.5 inch Guns/Howitzers: The medium gun adopted by the British Armies in the Second World War, was originally ordered in 1937 as a 5 inch gun/howitzer, to fire a 78 pound shell to 18,000 yards. Early in 1939 it was altered to 5.5 inch, with a 100 pound projectile, to increase shell effect. In 1943 a lighter shell weighing 82 pounds was introduced. The gun was a multi-range, breach-loading weapon. With charge four, it fired high explosive projectiles along a relatively flat trajectory at a muzzle velocity of approximately 1,675 feet per second. The weight in action of the Mark III gun was 12,850 pounds. The carriage, which could also mount the 4.5 inch gun, was of split-trail type, furnishing a four point support for stability and permitting a 30 degree traverse without disturbing the trail legs. Maximum range of the 5.5 gun was 16,000 yards with the 100.16 projectile, and 18,200 yards with the 82.16 projectile. The gun was issued to Canadian AGRA in 1942-1943 in Petsworth, England; first rounds were fired at Larkhill. The guns were used by Canadian Medium Regiments both in France and Italy.
