Doyle, David 155 mm Gun M1 "Long Tom". US Army Field Gun in World War II and Korea

Developed from the WWI-vintage French Canon de 155 mm "Grande Puissance Filloux" (GPF), the 155 mm gun M1A1, known as the "Long Tom", along with its companion, the 8-inch howitzer M1, formed the backbone of the US Armys heavy field artillery during WWII and Korea. With ranges of just over 14 miles for the gun, and 10.5 miles for the howitzer, the cannons were notable for their long reach, heavy impact and accuracy. These weapons were used on every front where GIs fought during WWII, and continued to be used by US forces, as well as those of allied nations, into the 1960s. Through vintage and modern photos, this volume follows the development of the 155 and the 8-inch, the details of their construction and field use, as well as providing an overview of their associated prime movers and ammunition carriers, including the Mack NO and the Allis-Chalmers M4 high-speed tractor of the WWII era and the Mack M125 10-ton 6×6 of the 1950s.

With ranges of just over 22 kilometres for the cannon and 10.5 kilometres for the howitzer, these guns were characterised by their long range, high penetrating power and accuracy. These weapons were used on all fronts where GIs fought during World War II, and were used by U.S. forces and those of allied nations until the 1960s. Using contemporary and modern photographs, this volume traces the development of the 155mm cannon and howitzer version, describes all the important details of their design and field use, and provides an overview of the associated tractors and ammunition carriers, including the World War II-era Mack NO and Allis-Chalmers M4 high-speed tractor and the 1950s Mack M125 10-ton 6×6.