The 601st Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) used the 75 mm Pack Howitzer during it's tour of operations during WW II. This site explains the general knowledge of how it was used and transported during that time.

This Site Last Updated 6-30-2009

Pack Artillery History and Information: This is the 3rd website pretaining to the 601st Field Artillery Battalion (Pack). If you happened to come across this site, and have not seen the other 8 web sites on the 601st, here is the link to the main Home page. There you will find the links to take you to all 601st web sites. 601st Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) http://community-2.webtv.net/MASTEROFNEON/601stFieldArtillery/index.html Web Site on the Sister Battalion to the 601st: 602nd Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) http://community.webtv.net/masterofneon4/602dFieldArtillery/index.html Military.Com 601st Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) http://www.military.com/HomePage/UnitCreatedPage/0,11003,718184,0U0.html

75mm Pack Howitzer Sight Mechanism

It is convenient at this point to consider some characteristics unique to the pack artillery, influencing its employment in the structure of light forces. The following facts are given largly from a article written by W.B. Woodruff Jr., on the organization of Pack Artillery. I thank him, for the use of information found on these pages.

The battalion consisted of three firing batteries and Headquarters and Service (H/S) Battery. The service platoon transported ammunition and general supplies by means of about 50 pack mules, herded by men on riding mules with use of a bell mare. Smaller numbers of mules, each led by a walking "mule driver", were organic to the communications and fire direction center (FDC) elements. The wire section had three teams, each consisting of two men and one mule, used to lay wire from the FDC to the firing batteries. This was the job that my Dad had, during the war in Europe. He was in the Detail/Communication section of the 601st Field Artillery Battalion (Pack) Battery "A". Each of those mules carried two large reels of wire, mounted on spokes on either side of the packsaddle; from these wire was unreeled at a walking pace. H/S Battery also included the pilots and crews of the two L-5 liaison planes organic to each battalion, plus veterinary, horseshoeing, and saddler personnel. A firing battery consisted of four howitzer sections. Communication from FDC to the battery executive officer was usually by wire, and from him to the sections was verbal. The section was composed of three elements; one 75mm pack howitzer, eleven men, and ten pack mules. The howitzer weighed about 1300 pounds and was designed for quick disassembly into approximately ten components, for transport on six mules. Heaviest component was the front trail, at some 240 pounds, followed by the tube at some 220 pounds. Each of these was a full load, and these two required the best mules in the section. Four men, with two steel lifting bars, were required in loading or unloading these two components. At the other end of the spectrum was the mule which carried a combination load consisting of the breechblock (two men and one lifting bar) and the wheels. Photographs of these pieces loaded on the mules, can be found at the 2nd website on the 601st. Click here for link to photographs: http://community-2.webtv.net/msn.com/masterofneon2/601stFABnPack/index.html The Phillips packsaddle was large, steel-framed, and heavily padded, weighing over 90 pounds. To those saddles intended for carrying howitzer components or other specialized loads, such as communications gear, were affixed special fittings to receive and securely fasten the equipment in place. Saddles intended for ammunition and general cargo had no special fittings; these loads were often wrapped in a manta (a 6' by 6' canvas) and lashed to the saddle using the squaw hitch (single load), single diamond (two loads), or double diamond hitch (for three loads, one on top of the saddle and one on each side). A mule had near and far sides, in lieu of left and right; and standard equipment for each included halter and lead rope, bridle, nose bag, saddle and leather breeching. Six mules were required to transport the howitzer, each being numbered in sequence and having its assigned position for loading/unloading, in the line of march. The No. 7 mule carried the pioneer kit; remaining mules carried ammunition or general cargo.

Early training book on Mountain Artillery

Pack mule loaded with reels of communication wire. This is one of the things my Dad done during the war. He strung wire from the Gun Battery to the Forward Observation Position.

Member of the 601st with a German Airplane,

Abandoned airfield, somewhere in Europe. Notice the engines on the planes are missing.

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