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howitzer

howitzer

10 9.9
A large gun with a short barrel that fires shells high to hit nearby targets
  • noun
  • /ˈhaʊɪtsər/
  • Specialized
translation icon : obús
  • The military deployed several howitzers to support the ground troops during the offensive.

But trench warfare revived the craft of howitzers and mortars.

Examples

  • The 333rd were issued the 155mm Howitzer M1, one of the most accurate pieces of artillery made during the Second World War.

  • A 9.2-inch howitzer could take 36 hours to dismantle: exhibit, Imperial War Museum, London.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Given the short barrel, light construction, and high elevation, it's probably a howitzer and not a gun.

    Blog text (11)
  • If you prefer artillery over vehicles, the 105mm Howitzer is the park's weapon of choice.

    Blog text (26)
  • I have personal experience with both weapons and was in a battery of 155mm howitzers on my first tour in Vietnam.

    Blog text (27)
  • The 240 mm howitzer M1 proved very valuable against difficult targets such as heavy concrete fortifications.

    Blog text (21)
  • All three U.S. regiments were organized as combat teams with a battery of 105mm howitzers in support of each infantry battalion.

    Academic text (1995)
  • Every artillery unit is equipped with a howitzer for long-range bombardment of enemy positions.

  • The soldiers trained extensively to operate the howitzer effectively in various combat scenarios.

Synonyms

mortar
vshowitzer
76 7.5

A short gun that fires explosive shells at a high angle

is a larger rifled artillery piece rather than a smoothbore launcher
high-angle gun
vshowitzer
  • Specialized
8.5

A gun that fires shells high into the air to hit nearby targets

is a specific large short-barrel gun designed for high-angle short-range fire
trench mortar
vshowitzer
  • Archaic
8.7

A short gun that fires shells high into the air over short distances in trench fighting

is broader in use and not limited to trench or muzzle-loaded types

How Powerful

heavy artillery
  • Specialized
12 5.0
cannon
103 3.9
howitzer
  • Specialized
10 9.9
mortar
76 7.5

Surface Forms

howitzer singular
howitzers plural

Etymology

The word howitzer comes from German Haubitze, which comes from the Czech houfnice, from houf meaning 'crowd'. These were guns used to fire shells in a high arc at groups, so a howitzer today is a short-barrelled large gun that lobs shells at a high angle.