105mm Howitzer

Introduction

M2A1 105mm Howitzer
Specifications
Type	Fire Support
Armament	105mm Shell
Muzzle Velocity	472 m/s
Max Range	11.275 km
Crew	3
Weight	2030 kg
Tow Class	Heavy

LeFH 18/40 10.5cm Howitzer
Specifications
Type	Fire Support
Armament	105mm Shell
Muzzle Velocity	470 m/s
Max Range	12.325 km
Crew	3
Weight	1985 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 WWII Online, teamwork, coordination, and patience will be key to maximizing artillery effectiveness and fun. Introduction As an artillerist in WWIIOL, your success will depend upon watching very closely the upper left-hand corner of your monitor for critical information. This INTERACTIVE display is your gun layer, firing solution calculator, and Fire Direction Control – all rolled into one. When the MISSION LEADER makes active a WAYPOINT TYPE or a CONTACT REPORT:

• RALLY Here! (R1)
• ATTACK Here! (A1)
• BOMBARD Here! (B1)

The Gun HUD automatically calculates the firing solution (ACTIVE TARGET NAME, AZIMUTH, and DISTANCE). Activate a new or previous mark and it immediately calculates the new active target information. This feature allows the gunner to:

• View the new Active Target information on the HUD
• Orient and relay the howitzer to the proper azimuth
• Adjust pitch and roll (if needed)
• Adjust range
• Fire