105mm Howitzer

Introduction

M2A1 105mm Howitzer
Specifications
Type	Fire Support
Armament	105mm Shell
Max Range	11.275 km
Crew	3
Weight	2030 kg
Tow Class	Heavy

For many years in WWII ONLINE, the ability to provide a true ‘fire-support’ role has been limited to a direct fire role no matter the type of platform (either gun-crewed or self-propelled). The indirect fire role initially introduced was limited to the 50mm mortar with a maximum range of 500m. It was only recently with the introduction of the 81mm self-propelled mortar platforms that the indirect fire range dramatically increased from 2,400 meters to 3,000 meters in-game.

Game Play

With the introduction of light or medium artillery (as classified by the various WWII combatants), the 105mm howitzers will introduce long-range lethality which the WWIIOL gaming community has NOT experienced before. With the potential to engage targets indirectly from ranges greater than 11,000 meters, a whole different way of thinking in strategies/counterstrategies. In time practical and tactical expertise will be explored, developed, and used. From a mindset perspective, the 105mm howitzers are NOT a front-line weapon system even though they will appear in the spawn lists of front-line towns. An artillery gun too close to the front lines is easy prey for enemy infantry.

With these new howitzers, the extreme range to engage targets is a startling realization when considering that each grid square is 20km by 20km and, in theory, these guns have the capability to engage the enemy half a grid square away. However, to bring that lethality to bear, it is critically important to understand the simplified complexities (a unique phrase as CRS endeavored to NOT develop a simple “point and click” system) of the platform while working with a Forward Observer.

As with most things in WWIIOL, teamwork, coordination, and patience will be key to maximizing artillery lethality and fun.