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batteryboy
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75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Thread Started on May 11, 2009, 6:50pm »
Hi Guys,

Can anyone confirm if the 462nd used the single or split spade (or both) 75mm Pack Howitzer used during the drop in 1945? Below is a 75mm Pack Howitzer in a single trail as illustrated:

[image]

Now below is a photo of the 75mm Pack Howitzer but has the spit trail spade (at the rear of the two gentlemen) Also in the photo is Major Arlis Kline, C.O. of the 462nd FA during the drop in Feb 45 and good friend Art Napolitano.

[image]

And can anyone confirm if they were attached under the C-47s as depicted below:

[image]

Or where they bundled or packed differently?

Thanks in advance.


« Last Edit: May 11, 2009, 6:51pm by batteryboy »Link to Post - Back to Top  IP: Logged
mgk1951
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #1 on Oct 17, 2009, 10:04am »
Hi Batteryboy

Better late than never - I've managed to capture this photo from 1945 newsreel footage. It will answer your question of what model of 75mm Howitzer was used on Corregidor in February 1945.

[image]


I don't have any information on how the 75mm Howitzer was carried and dropped from a C-47. The M1A1 75mm Howitzer on Carriage M8 could be broken into 9 bundles. As the howitzer weighs 1330lb complete, I would suggest it was bundled and dropped from under the aircraft. It would be difficult for the Jumpmaster and air crew to manhandle an assembled howitzer through the cargo door. Each C-47 was over Corregidor for less than 4 seconds, so I think the bundled option would have been how they were dropped.

Regards

mgk1951
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #2 on Oct 17, 2009, 10:48am »
Hi

A set of maps I have seen, that accompany a report on the 503d PRCT operations on Coregidor, mentions that by the end of the third day (18th February 1945) 9 x 75mm Howitzers had been assembled out of 15 dropped.

On 16th February, 151 "parabundles" were dropped during the first parachute landing and 159 bundles during the second parachute landing that day. There is no mention of complete equipments, only bundles.

Regards

mapmaster
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mgk1951
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #3 on Oct 18, 2009, 5:37pm »
Hi

Here is some more information on the 75mm Howitzer when bundled for transporting by C-47.

The howitzer was broken into 9 bundles. They were:

1. Front trail section and drawbar
2. Axle, rear trail section and toolbox
3. Sleigh and gun cradle
4. Top gun cradle
5. Cannon tube
6. Breechblock and sights
7. Carriage wheels
8. 10 ready rounds of ammunition
9. Paracaisson Handcart with eight additional rounds

Bundles one through five and nine were attached to release points on the fuselage and wings of the C-47. The Jumpmaster released the bundles over the drop zone by a series of switches. As he did so, gunners pushed bundles six, seven and eight roped together out through the troop door and then followed the bundles out. A webbed harness connected the bundles released from outside the aircraft and ensured they arrived on the DZ close together.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #4 on Oct 19, 2009, 11:20am »
OK, this is great info. Thanks Mapmaster!
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mgk1951
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #5 on Oct 25, 2009, 10:19am »
Hi

Here are two pictures from a US Army Manual from 1948. They show the made up bundles for the 75mm Howitzer ready for loading into and beneath a C-47.

Although the manual is from 1948, the method of packing and loading the howitzer would have been the same or similar on 16th February 1945.

[image]



[image]


I will continue research into the packs as there were several variations of paracrates/racks.


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mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #6 on Oct 26, 2009, 11:10am »
Keep em coming.... I am building a C-47 and the more references the better!

Thanks,
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mgk1951
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #7 on Oct 31, 2009, 8:56pm »
Hi Batteryboy

I've found out quite a bit more about the C-47 Paracrates for the 75mm Pack Howitzer. There were two types, the first was wooden while the second was sheet steel. Those of wooden construction were manufactured from 1942 and standardised in 1943. There was also a model made of aluminum, much later.

The amount of information found would fill several pages here. So to save a bit of space, is there any photographic evidence of, let's say, the model cart used to carry 75mm Howitzer ammunition on Corregidor? Carts were part of the C-47 Paracrate load and carried some ammunition and more ammunition was dropped in one of the other Paracrates. The cart was then used to move collected ammunition.

As mentioned above, the cart, or to use its correct name Paracassion, was constructed of either wood or steel. The model was either Paracaisson Load M9 or Paraciasson Load M9A2; wood and steel respectively. The M9 was plywood, while the M9A2 was corrugated sheet steel with stamped steel ends and stiffeners.

[image]

M9 Paracaisson Load


[image]

M9A2 Paracaisson Load


There is a likelihood of a cart being photographed alongside a 75mm Howitzer. If we can confirm which model cart was used we can make an educated guess which type of Paracrate were used in 1945. The model of cart would be the "give away".

The Paracrates were loaded differently inside and under the C-47 depending on whether they were wood and steel.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #8 on Nov 4, 2009, 7:39pm »
Hi

Some snaps of 462nd PFA Bn 75mm Howitzers on Corregidor. These again are Howitzer M1A1 on Carriage M8. They appear to have been photographed from Mile Long Barracks. The method of moving the howitzer is usual for parachute artillery - man power.

[image]


[image]


Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #9 on Nov 7, 2009, 11:53am »
Hi

My research into which model Paracrate (wooden, metal or aluminum) was used to drop the 462nd PFA Bn 75mm onto Corregidor has come up unanswered.

The only reference I can find to the model of Paracrate used is in a report by Capt. James A. Callender, A. G. D., Asst. Adj. General. The report covers the Corregidor operations and under the heading (18.) Artillery Paracrates names several of the paracrates as M1 and M9. The use of the name M9 would indicate wooden Paracrates. The M9 is in fact the wooden M9 Paracaisson. Those of steel or aluminum construction were Paracaisson M9A2 and M18 respectively.

However, there are several inconsistencies within the report. The first relates to a comment " a paracrate to take the M1 carriage might prove desirable". Why? The M1 Carriage was the same carriage as the M8 except that the M1 was equipped with wooden spoked wheels with bronze bearings. The M1 was not suitable for high speed towing; the M8 was.

A second inconsistency relates to another comments about "the front trail (Paracrate M1)was ejected from the door in place of the M9 ammunition caisson" and "the M9 ammunition prison was carried in and dropped from the pararack (i.e. from under the aircraft). If actual fact the M9 was never carried as a door load, but the wooden Parachest M8 was part of the door load until the steel paracrate was developed. Then the wooden Parachest M8 was replaced by steel Parachest M8A1.

There is a third inconsistency with the report. It states that only 9 of the 15 - 75mm Howitzers dropped were recovered and were serviceable. However, 11 serviceable howitzers took part in the bombardment in preparation for the retaking of the tail of Corregidor. Other reports confirm the number of serviceable howitzers as eleven (of the twelve howitzers recovered by 19th Feb 1945, one was not serviceable).

So, I'm wondering at the inconsistencies. Perhaps Capt. James A. Callender only had limited information on the paracrates. It is possible that his report described the delivery arrangement for the metal or aluminum paracrates, but using the early designations for wooden paracrates.

I've looked at every available photograph related to the retaking of Corregidor and can see nothing representing either wooden, steel or aluminum paracrates. The steel and aluminum paracrates should have been visible in photographs of the battlefield showing debris.

From the howitzers recovered, there should have been 60 Paracrates , which are a bit longer than a 200 litre fuel drum and about the same diameter. These split into two lengthwise, so there should have been 120 items potentially to be photographed. If the paracrates were the wooden model, they would be more difficult to distinguish amongst photos of debris.

In summary, query not answered. However, I will post images of the arrangement of door and Pararack paracrates for both wooden and steel/aluminum very soon.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #10 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:16pm »
Hi

To start off the series of images of the Paracrate loads for a 75mm Howitzer M1A1 and Carriage M8, let's look at the Pararack fittings first.

There were two types of Pararack fitted to the underside of a C-47 aircraft for attaching and releasing the Paracrate loads. They were the Standard and Modified Parachute Pararacks.

The standard model had a cover at the front end in which the parachute was carried.
[image]

Standard Parachute Pararack


The other model was the standard Pararack without the front cover.
[image]

Modified Parachute Pararack


Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #11 on Nov 7, 2009, 3:31pm »
Hi

Images below of wooden Paracrate loads M1A1 to M9 of a 75mm Howitzer M1 on Carriage M8. Loads M1 to M5 and M9 were in a particular pattern based on weight and each had its own harness for attachment to the underneath of the C-47.

[image]

Paracrate Load M1


[image]

Paracrate Load M2



[image]

Paracrate Load M3


[image]

Paracrate Load M4


[image]

Paracrate Load M5


[image]

Paracrate Load M6


[image]

Paracrate Load M7


[image]

Paracrate Load M8 - Parachest M8


[image]

Paracrate Load M9 - Paracaisson M9


[image]

Paracrate Load M6 - M8 (door load assembled)


The door load Paracrate M6 - M8 was arranged in a certain profile. When the green "Go" light came on, the door load was pushed from the door by the artillerymen. The Jumpmaster then repeatedly slapped a toggle button to release the Paracrates from under the aircraft. There would be a short delay between the release of loads. The Paracrates were never released as a salvo.

An images of the Paracrate Loads M1 - M5 and M9 ready to attach to the C-47; and an image of the assemble M9 Paracaisson were posted above on 25th October.

The wooden Paracrate and load were wrapped in sheet canvas to exclude mud and dirt.

Next the steel and aluminum Paracrates.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #12 on Nov 8, 2009, 7:38am »
Hi

Here are images of the Paracrate release switches inside the C-47.

[image]

C-47 Packrack release without Intervalometer



[image]

C-47 Packrack release with Intervalometer


Both arrangements of switches released the paracates in a sequence.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #13 on Nov 8, 2009, 11:14am »
Hi

The steel and aluminum Paracrate bundles are illustrated below. The steel designation is give first folowed by the aluminum designation.

[image]

Paracrate load M1 - same arrangement as for wooden Parachate



[image]

Paracrate load M2 - same arrangement as for wooden Parachate



[image]

Paracrate load M3A2 or M13



[image]

Paracrate load M4A2 or M14



[image]

Paracrate load M5A2 or M15



[image]

Paracrate load M6A1 or M16



[image]

Paracrate load M7A1



[image]

Paracrate load M8A1 - Parachest M8A1 or M17



[image]

Paracrate load M9A2 - Paracaisson M9A2 or M18



[image]

Paracrate load M1, M2 and M7A1 assembled as the door load



As to which Paracrates were used on Corregidor in 1945, all that I can add is wooden Paracrate were used during the Normandy Parachute Landings in 1944. Steel and/or aluminum Paracrate were used in Germany in 1945. The production of aluminum Paracrate was underway by 2nd February 1945 when complete Paracrate were photographed with the designers.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #14 on Nov 9, 2009, 8:01am »
Amazing research folks............

The two pictures of the troops moving the 75's onto the Parade Ground are very interesting.

I agree the pictures were taken from the top floor of the Mile Long Barracks. (Argument fodder--- so named because if you ran the building end to end 3 times, it was a mile run)

At any rate you can see the old steel frame from the roofing on the barracks in the picture.
The 75's appear to be crossing the trolley track west of the Topside Trolley station, which is near the road in front of the theater.

Note that there are still rails present in the concrete of the Trolley Station Platform, though at the end they appears to be bent and crooked, maybe a bomb hit.

The rails still exist in front of most Batteries due to the fact they are embedded in the concrete.

Those rails easily pulled up were sent to Japan for scrap. The wooden timbers are still visible in many places throughout the island, in the open as along the road to Battery Way or deep in the jungle. Some with severely rusted railroad spikes still in place.

Some of the ties were used for the building of bunkers throughout the island.
Which the 75's would shot at from the Parade Grounds..........
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #15 on Nov 11, 2009, 1:17pm »
Now mapmaster is the man!!!

Thanks and this means I will be doing a lot of scratchbuilding in my end!

Cheers,
B-Boy
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #16 on Nov 11, 2009, 6:13pm »
Hi batterboy

My pleasure on finding enough information for you. I suppose it all depends on what scale you intend to do the scratch build. The bigger the scale the more detail.

When I started the research on the 75mm Howitzer, I never thought there would be much of a story on the subject of Paracrate. However, now there we have enough images and detail to do an article for the Corregidor.org website.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #17 on Nov 12, 2009, 8:04am »
So far as of now, the only large scale kit that I can find (and available locally) here is 1/48 but that will do for the meantime. My project call for two aircraft. The first one I have already started and it will be the standard C-47 that dropped the paras. The 2nd will be the one transporting the 75mm pack howitzers. Its a long term project but its great to get information as early as this and for sure a little more details will pop-out sooner or later.

Thanks again.
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #18 on Nov 13, 2009, 5:35pm »
Hi

I have a few other little pieces of information. The first is the numbering of the attachment points under the C-47.

[image]


For wooden Paracrate:
Point 1 attached Paracrate M4
Point 2 attached Paracrate M5
Point 3 attached Paracrate M1
Point 4 attached Paracrate M3
Point 5 attached Paracrate M2
Point 6 attached Paracrate M9 (Paracaisson M9)

For both steel and aluminum Paracrate (steel followed by aluminum):
Point 1 attached Paracrate M5A2 or M15
Point 2 attached Paracrate ?
Point 3 attached Paracrate ?
Point 4 attached Paracrate M3A2 or M13
Point 5 attached Paracrate ?
Point 6 attached Paracrate M9A1 or M18 (Paracaisson M9A1 or M18)

Unfortunately, in the wartime manuals, not all the steel and aluminum Paracrate are referenced against an attachment point. Perhaps the last three could be fitted to any of the unallocated attachment points.

Regards

mgk
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Re: 75mm Pack Howitzer of the 462nd FA during drop
« Reply #19 on Nov 13, 2009, 11:10pm »
Thanks for the additional information as this will definitely help alot.

Out of topic but the Japanese equivalent of the C-47, the Showa L2D "Tabby" had attachment points to carry spare propellers and engine part stowage inside the fuselage. They were used to ferry supplies quickly to outpost airfields and installations. Will post the pics later just for info.

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