Introduced in 1944, the 30cm raketenwerfer (rocket launcher) model 56 (RW 56) was one of several German Army rocket launchers used during World War II. Germany was forbidden to possess heavy artillery after World War I. Rocket launchers, given the cover name of smoke projectors (nebelwerfers), were developed to get around this restriction. By 1944, […]
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First developed in the late 1950s, the Oerlikon 35mm is one of the most widely used modern anti-aircraft guns. Used by the Canadian Army 1989 to 2005, the guns provided low-level air defence for two Canadian NATO airfields in Germany. Normally controlled in pairs by a Skyguard radar, the GDF-005 was also fitted with a
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The Canadian Army used the M30 Mortar with parachute and light batteries from 1955 until 1969. The M30 replaced the 4.2 Inch Smooth Bore (SB). Unlike the SB, the M30 had a rifled barrel, increasing its range and accuracy. However, the rounds were still muzzle loaded and needed to slide loosely to the bottom of
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Canada first established a Parachute Battery in 1949 in Shilo. It was initially equipped with the M1 75mm Pack Howitzer and the British 4.2″ Smooth Bore (4.2″ SB) Mortar. The 4.2 Inch SB Mortar went out of service in 1950 and was replaced by the two models, including the M30 4.2″ Rifled Mortar.
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The 4.5″ Quick Firing Howitzer was used in action by Canadian Gunners 1914-1918 and remained in service for training in Canada into the Second World War. The Howitzer is a concept dating back to the 1700s. It was designed to lob shells in a high arc allowing it to fire over the walls of fortifications
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