17-pounder

The 17-pounder, officially designated as the Ordnance QF 17-pounder, was a British anti-tank gun developed during World War II. It was one of the most effective anti-tank guns of the conflict and played a crucial role in the Allied forces' ability to counter German armored vehicles.

Development and Design

The development of the 17-pounder began in 1941, as the British Army recognized the need for a more powerful anti-tank weapon to counter the increasingly formidable German tanks, such as the Panzer IV and the Tiger I. The design process was expedited due to the urgency of the situation, and the first prototypes were completed by late 1942.

The 17-pounder was a significant improvement over its predecessor, the 6-pounder, in terms of both firepower and range. It featured a longer barrel, which increased the muzzle velocity of the shell, allowing it to penetrate thicker armor. The gun was capable of firing a variety of ammunition types, including armor-piercing, discarding sabot (APDS) rounds, which were particularly effective against heavily armored targets.

Technical Specifications

The 17-pounder had a caliber of 76.2 mm (3 inches) and a barrel length of 55 calibers (4.2 meters). It was mounted on a split-trail carriage, which provided stability and allowed for a wide range of traverse. The gun's breech mechanism was a vertical sliding block, which facilitated rapid loading and firing.

Key specifications include:

Caliber: 76.2 mm
Barrel length: 4.2 meters
Muzzle velocity: 884 m/s (standard AP round), 1,200 m/s (APDS round)
Effective range: 1,500 meters
Maximum range: 10,000 meters (indirect fire)
Weight: 1,440 kg (in action)

Operational Use

The 17-pounder first saw action in the North African campaign in early 1943. It quickly proved its worth, successfully engaging and destroying German tanks at ranges where the 6-pounder was ineffective. The gun's performance was further demonstrated during the Battle of Normandy, where it was used extensively by British and Commonwealth forces.

One of the most notable applications of the 17-pounder was its integration into the Sherman Firefly tank. The Firefly was a modified version of the American M4 Sherman tank, equipped with the 17-pounder gun. This combination provided the Allies with a mobile platform capable of taking on the most heavily armored German tanks.

Ammunition Types

The 17-pounder was capable of firing several types of ammunition, each designed for specific purposes:

**Armor-Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Cap (APCBC):** Standard anti-tank round with a hardened cap to penetrate armor and a ballistic cap to improve aerodynamics.
**High-Explosive (HE):** Used against soft targets, such as infantry and unarmored vehicles.
**Armor-Piercing, Discarding Sabot (APDS):** Featured a tungsten core and a discarding sabot, providing superior penetration capabilities.
**High-Velocity, Armor-Piercing (HVAP):** Designed for maximum penetration at high velocities.

Post-War Use and Legacy

After World War II, the 17-pounder continued to serve in various capacities within the British Army and other allied forces. It was eventually replaced by more advanced anti-tank weapons, such as the Ordnance QF 20-pounder and the L7 105 mm gun. However, the 17-pounder's impact on the development of anti-tank warfare and its role in the Allied victory cannot be overstated.

The gun's design and effectiveness influenced the development of future anti-tank weapons, and its legacy can be seen in modern tank and anti-tank technology.