WWII Gun marker

[Mike Cecil]

With regard to Gilles question, I asked a friend in Australia, a retired WO1 gunner, about Gun Position Markers and he has replied in some detail from his experience on the 105mm M2A2 and L118 guns.

His reply:

"I am commenting on the post 60s and the M2A2/L5 era but no doubt it would have followed tradition. The gun markers were carried in the CP [Command Post] vehicles, that is one set in each of the two CPs. A ‘coverer’, gun detachment member, from each gun would accompany the reconnaissance group and they would be responsible for ensuring the line from the gun marker to the director was clear. The gun marker was a steel rod with a foot rest to allow you to plant it into the ground. It was about 4 foot long and at the top there was a plate about 6 inches square like a pennant. Each was different colour, the colour would denote which gun was which. The plate would be pointing towards the centre of arc.

When the gun arrived the No1 would remove the marker and mark the spot with the twist of his heel and then bring the gun onto the spot ensuring it faced centre of arc. The markers were local production."

So similar to those shown in the image, but square in Australia.

Mike