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Artillery played an important role in World War II and was instrumental in shaping the outcome of many battles and campaigns. First, it provided long-range weaponry that could destroy enemy positions and infrastructure. Artillery platoons had howitzers and rifles capable of firing at long range, effectively neutralizing enemy defenses and fortifications The artillery hit enemy positions in a continuous bombardment and weakened enemy defenses for troops, infantry, and armored units advancing it. Second, artillery played an important role in supporting troops on the ground. During attacks, it provided covering fire, blocked enemy positions, and provided opportunities for infantry to move and gain ground. Artillery also played a defensive role, firing against batteries and protecting friendly positions from enemy attack. Artillery also contributed to the psychological nature of the battle. The constant shelling instilled fear and morale in enemy forces, often overriding the will to fight, and strategic positions were delivered intact. The destructive power of artillery fire created a sense of vulnerability and insecurity and enhanced the psychological advantage of having a higher level of firearms. The successful use of artillery was evident in key battles such as Stalingrad, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge. It provided the firepower necessary to break through fortified positions, suppress enemy resistance, and ultimately secure victory.

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The M2A1 105mm Howitzer was first conceived in 1932. Several German artillery units were captured at the beginning of the war and studied in order to advance allied technology. The 105mm Howitzer was built as a replacement for the 75mm Howitzer. It revolutionized artillery warfare, enabling easy transportation and deployment. Rather than using separate-loading ammunition, a modified version of the M1 was tested in 1932 using semi-fixed ammunition. 105mm howitzer M2 is the result of this development, which required a different breech block. 48 units were manufactured in 1939. The original M1 carriage had been designed for horse-drawn use, though a newer model apt for truck towing was developed in February 1940. In March of that same year, the 105mm howitzer M2A1 was created by modifying the breech ring of the M2. More than 10,000 units were produced, some of which are still in use today in minor conflicts around the world.

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The M2A1 105mm Howitzer was used heavily throughout WWII as the primary artillery unit of the Allies. Estimates of its utility have been made and say that around one out of every five artillery shells fired over the course of the war were fired from the M2A1 Howitzer. After the war, the gun’s production ceased, though there are still units being used in several countries, such as Australia, Canada, Croatia, France, The Philippines, South Korea, and Vietnam. The United States, however, has retired the M2A1 105mm Howitzer. Its last use was in 1953. It is now categorized under the more general title M101A1 105mm Howitzer. The artillery unit saw more combat than almost any other piece of equipment used in the second world war. Out of all its uses, one of the most decisive battles the M2A1 was in was the invasion of Normandy on June 6, 1944.

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During the invasion, artillery played a crucial role in supporting the Allied forces. It was used to weaken German encampments along the shore and to provide support to the troops dismounting on the beach. Leading up to the invasion of the troops, artillery, along with naval bombardment and air support, was used to scramble German defenses. The naval bombardment provided precise and strong barrages that neutralized or destroyed enemy strong points before the troops landed. Simultaneously, land-based artillery units fired a barrage of high-explosive shells onto the German positions, aiming to destroy obstacles, disrupt communications, and suppress incoming enemy fire. This preparation was meant to create gaps in German coastal defenses and enable Allied troops to establish strongholds on the beaches. Once the amphibious assault began, artillery continued to provide direct fire support to the troops landing on the beaches. Artillery units were also deployed on or close to the shore to provide immediate and continuous support. They fired smoke shells to obscure enemy vision.Even as the Allies took the beaches, artillery still found use in continuing the offensive more inland. The constant attack of Ally artillery against German strongholds and key strategic points was a decisive factor in the success of Operation Neptune.

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Image from U.S Army Center of Military History

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The LCVP(-G), Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel (Gun), otherwise known as the Higgins Boat was a multipurpose carrier for troops, equipment, vehicles, and the M2A1 105mm Howitzer. Weighing 2,500kg with a 2.31m barrel length, the M2A1 needs quite a ship to dock safely on a beach, especially when under fire. However, the Higgins boat was much the opposite of the Navy’s dream. At just over 11 m long and just under 3.4 m wide, the LCVP was powered by a 225-horsepower engine and could attain a max speed of 12 knots. Since its sides and rear were made of plywood, it offered limited protection from enemy fire but also reduced cost and saved resources. The Higgins boat could hold either three dozen men, a jeep and a dozen men, or 8,000 lbs of cargo. Its shallow draft enabled it to run up to the shoreline with a protected propeller. The boat was made with the sole intention of getting equipment from the sea to a beach. The creator, Andrew Higgins, was assumed to be a smuggler, and couldn’t manage his company too well. The Navy became interested in him in the 1920s and would later contract him for the design of the landing craft. It’s estimated that 4,126 landing crafts were used in D Day, about 1,200 of which were LCVPs.