How did Britain’s “obsolete” WWI artillery become the most accurate gun of WWII? This is the untold story of the 25-pounder field gun—a weapon born from budget cuts, WWI barrels, and engineering genius that outshot every purpose-built modern gun on the battlefield.
When Britain declared war in 1939, the Royal Artillery rolled into position with converted weapons based on 1904 technology. Critics called them obsolete. German gunners had modern equipment. Yet by 1945, even American artillery officers admitted the 25-pounder was the most accurate field gun of the war.
From the deserts of North Africa to the Rhine crossing, from El Alamein’s massive barrages to precision fire in Normandy’s hedgerows, the 25-pounder proved that accuracy beats firepower. Discover the engineering secrets behind its legendary precision: split-trail carriages, variable-charge ammunition, 360-degree traverse, and the ballistics that let British gunners hit targets on the first try.
Featuring real accounts from Royal Artillery veterans, technical analysis of what made this gun special, and the story of how budget constraints forced British engineers to create a masterpiece. The 25-pounder served for 50 years, fought in Korea, Malaya, and the Falklands—outlasting every “modern” gun of its era.
Credit to : Britain At War