M107 175mm Self-Propelled Gun
The M107 175mm self-propelled Gun was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Designed to be part of a common family of weapons utilising the same chassis components, the M107 and M110 were essentially the same vehicle mounting different barrels. These guns fired an HE shell weighing 66.6 kilograms at a muzzle velocity of 914 meters per second.
The M107 self-propelled 175-mm. gun and the M110 8-inch howitzer had identical carriages but different tubes. The 175-mm. gun fired a 174-pound projectile almost 33 kilometers. This impressive range made it a valuable weapon for providing an umbrella of protection over large areas. The 8-inch howitzer fired a 200-pound projectile almost 17 kilometers, plus being the most accurate weapon in the field artillery. The 8-inch howitzer was found with most division artilleries, and both the 8-inch howitzer and 175-mm. gun were with field force artillery. At field force the proportion of 8-inch and 175-mm. weapons varied. Since the weapons had identical carriages, the common practice was to install those tubes that best met the current tactical needs. One day a battery might be 175mm.; a few days later it might be half 175-mm. and half 8-inch.
The M107 was used extensively in Vietnam to provide long range firesupport (being able to fire more than 30 km) and took part in numerous cross-DMZ duels with NVA guns. Though withdrawn from American service, vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries. The M107 was exported in Germany, in South Korea, in Spain, in Greece, in Holland, in Iran, in Israel, in Italy, with United Kingdom and in Turkey. In the majority of these countries they are converted besides towards M110A2.
from the cover of Royal Artillary at home 1974
