The 155mm M2 Gun (nicknamed “Long Tom”) was one of the most significant pieces of heavy artillery produced by the United States during WWII.
The United States, entering the First World War without modern heavy artillery, adopted the French 155mm GPF. Between the two world wars, they redesigned and improved the gun resulting in the Long Tom by WWII. The 155mm saw action in all theatres from North Africa and Normandy to the Pacific Islands. It was also used during the Korean and Vietnamese wars. Canada used the gun in trials but never adopted it into general service.
The manufacturers raised the front tires, allowing the carriage to sit directly on the ground, stabilizing the entire weapon and increasing accuracy.
Projectile: 42.96 kilograms (94.7 pounds)
Range: 23,221 metres (25,395 yards)
Detachment: gun, towing vehicles, 15 gunners