2 pounder AT fired on wheels

[Doug Knight]

John

I have a copy of the 2 HAA history – thanks.

On the 2-pounder ammunition – Hogg (Allied artillery of World War 2) says that there was a 2-pr High Explosive round and he gives the fuse number etc. This is not supported by the 2-pounder manual for the towed gun or its 2 amendments. For the Mark I gun. there was a 2-pounder shell Mark I with a small Lyddite charge, but the fuse separated on impact so the round was withdrawn. It was replaced with the 2-pr shot in several Marks. I consider Hogg to be reliable, and his details suggest there was one, but… There is no evidence of 2-pr HE being manufactured in Canada and we made millions of rounds. The 2-pr anti-tank gun started at Mark IX, with the previous ones being naval guns, so it might have been a naval round, but I don’t think they were interchangeable with the army ammunition.

In the contest of the times, I can see HE rounds not being issued to the tanks, because they had a coaxial MG to deal with infantry – the Royal Artillery had only a detachment Bren gun – if that.

Do you know of any good 2-pounder colour photos?

Doug