Howitzer facts for kids
A howitzer is a powerful type of gun used by armies. It has a shorter barrel compared to a regular cannon. Howitzers are designed to shoot a shell over a short distance. They are special because they can fire shells in a high arc, higher than a cannon but lower than a mortar. This makes them very good for hitting targets hidden behind hills or other obstacles. Howitzers are mostly used to shoot at targets on the ground. However, they can also be used for targets on water or even in the air. The word howitzer comes from an old Czech word, haufnice. This word described a type of catapult that could throw many stones at once.
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What is a Howitzer?
Howitzers are large military guns. They are known for their short barrels. The length of a howitzer's barrel is usually about 15 to 25 times its caliber. The caliber is the width of the inside of the barrel. This design allows them to fire shells at a high angle. This high angle means the shell goes up into the air and then comes down on the target. This is useful for hitting targets that are not in a direct line of sight.
How Howitzers are Different
Howitzers are unique because they combine features of both cannons and mortars.
- Cannons usually have long barrels. They fire shells in a flatter path, often directly at a target.
- Mortars have very short barrels. They fire shells in a very high arc, almost straight up and then down.
Howitzers fit in between these two. They fire shells in a higher arc than cannons but a lower arc than mortars. This makes them very flexible for different battle situations.
Uses of Howitzers
Howitzers are mainly used to support ground troops. They can fire shells a long way. This helps soldiers by hitting enemy positions, buildings, or vehicles. They are often used to clear an area before troops move in. While mostly used on land, some howitzers can be used on ships or for shooting down slow-moving aircraft.
History of the Howitzer
The idea of the howitzer goes back a long time. The original Czech word haufnice was used for a type of catapult. These catapults could throw many stones at once. Over time, as guns developed, the name was used for cannons that could fire shells in a high arc. This design became very important in wars. It allowed armies to hit targets they could not see directly.
Related pages
Images for kids
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An M114 155 mm howitzer being fired by the 90th Field Artillery Battalion during the Korean War.
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A 12-pound Napoleon howitzer displayed at the Colorado State Capitol.
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A 12-pounder (5 kg) mountain howitzer from the 1800s. It is on display at Fort Laramie in Wyoming, United States.
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A United States howitzer being used during the Battle of Manila in 1899.
See also
In Spanish: Obús para niños
