doug290 Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 On P.49 of Terence Wise's book "D-Day to Berlin" there is a photo of 2 Priests of 33rd Field Artillery regt. in Normandy. Both vehicles have a large and crudely welded cradle of some sort below the 105 mm howitzer. I've not seen any other pictures of this in any other reference work. Can anyone tell me whether this was a local field modification? It has been suggested that it was part of the deep wading equipment but to me it looks too heavy and crude. I'm not sure whether this will come under the artillery or tracked vehicles forum so if it's in the wrong one can you re-direct it please. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted January 27, 2014 Share Posted January 27, 2014 I am fairly sure it is part of the wading equipment, the frame being a support for the canvas cover, the lower part of which is still fitted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug290 Posted February 3, 2014 Author Share Posted February 3, 2014 Thanks for your reply. I've seen photos of M7s fully kitted out in their wading gear and the cradle/support below the gun is not part of it as far as I can tell. The cradle is vwery heavy duty compared with the wading gear and the welding is rather crude compared with anything else. It looks more like a gun travelling cradle although the M7 was equipped with a travelling lock in the fighting compartment just behind the breech. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted February 3, 2014 Share Posted February 3, 2014 I think the cradle you describe is just canvas. There is no reason to have any form of steel cradle in that position. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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