Howitzer

Howitzer - mainly offensive type of artillery shells, fired at hinged trajectory. Initially, she fired stoneware shot and smote the enemy infantry. But with 14 centuries functionality howitzers increased - now the gun can be used in various combinations.
Howitzers have a caliber of 100 mm, while the ratio of length to the barrel size mostly more than 25. This creates a hinged flight trajectory projectile to fall in shelter purposes. Particularly active howitzer artillery used in conducting offensive operations. Fragmentation shells allow smoke out enemy infantry from the trenches. But they can also be used in the defense. Oskolki shells in the open space, causing even greater damage. A fairly high rate of fire 0.5 - 6 rounds per minute allows awash any attack.
Howitzer artillery was used in 14 century, it has not lost its significance now. Especially the massive application had for years first and second world wars. The most powerful howitzers those times were a caliber of 152 mm. Among them, especially allocated Soviet M-10, 1938. This howitzer was designed by domestic engineers, based on the experiences of German development. At the time, propelled howitzer was a perfect weapon. It said that in the USSR it exploited continued until 1957, and in Finland until 2000! Based on this howitzer shells were made for powerful tanks KV-2.
Previously were towed howitzers - to the scene of battle they brought with the help of horses and later tractors, trucks, tanks. Now most of them self, and from the tanks has only a minority of their armor. A towed artillery installations often have auxiliary engine. Among the non self-guns: Russian D-30, the American M198, a Swedish FH-77 firm Bofors. Notably, the first two are very similar.