Hi Lang:
Whoooo! You had me rolling on the floor in sympathetic laughter! My own experience on the L5 was very similar... the Number One didn't forewarn us stupid occifer kay-dets about the blast effect.
Expecting the same results as the longer barreled C1 howitzer (US M-101) a gun I had fired thousands of rounds from before I pursued a commission; I stupidly sat up straight and looked forward..... and was nearly blown off the trail by the shock and pain of my sinuses instantly imploding!
Needless to say the Sergeant winked at me and I somehow failed to warn the next guy once I passed my Layer's Test!
Heh, heh, heh!
Mike