SP, MLRS and SPAA Developments

[DRG]

WW2 25 pounder

Accepted rate of fire was 5 rounds per minute, but average thoughout the firestorm in Normandy was 12 rpm, with one documented case in 4th Field of an incredible 17 rounds fired by one gun in one minute

I know the background to that story and the crew ( Canadian ) was very motivated to set the record

Now that was a much smaller shell but 12-17 rounds per gun is a lot of hurt especially when you consider that a commonwealth FOO had the power to order a fire mission barrages beyond army level

Multi-battery Concentrations
Targets engaged by two or more batteries were called 'concentrations' in British terminology. Until 1942 the procedures for concentrations against impromptu targets were not particularly slick, although there was a choice of several methods developed from the mid-1920's onwards, and concentrations of several RFA brigades had been achieved in 1914. Nevertheless, in May 1940 a British regiment destroyed a refueling panzer battalion in what is generally recognised as the first successful use in war of a wireless controlled concentration on an impromptu target. However, in 1941 Brig HJ Parham, the CRA of 38 Division, invented and tested new procedures. These culminated in demonstrating a 144 gun concentration against an impromptu target within 5 minutes of the target being called. In mid-1942 XIII Corps conducted further trials and new doctrine was issued is September that year. These concentrations were known as Mike (regiment), Uncle (division), Victor (corps), William (army) and Yoke (AGRA) targets and always initiated by the radio call “Mike Target, Mike Target, Mike Target” (or Uncle, etc) that galvanised CPs and guns to action.

Any observer could request concentrations, however, some observers including Air OPs, were authorised to order them. It was usually Standing Instructions that a BC had this authority for his regiment, troop commanders were given it as required. BCs and COs of medium batteries and regiments were often CRA’s or CCRA’s Representatives and authorised to order the divisional or corps artillery and have communications on the divisional or corps artillery radio net. This authority was sometimes given to field BCs and observers, and there were sometimes CAGRA Representatives (BCs and COs) with similar authority.

Just saying... different time, different guns but as the adage goes "artillery conquers infantry occupies"