GUN HOWITZERS Meaning and
Definition
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Gun howitzers are a type of artillery piece that combines features of both guns and howitzers. They are medium-weight weapons, designed to engage targets at medium range with both direct and indirect fire capabilities. The term "gun howitzer" is used to describe such artillery systems due to their ability to perform the roles of ordinary guns and howitzers interchangeably.
Gun howitzers typically possess longer barrels compared to traditional howitzers, which enable them to achieve higher muzzle velocities. This allows for superior accuracy and range when firing directly at targets. Additionally, they typically have a higher rate of fire than conventional howitzers, enhancing their effectiveness in engaging rapidly moving targets or reacting swiftly to changing battlefield situations.
One of the key features distinguishing gun howitzers is their ability to switch seamlessly between direct and indirect fire. This versatility allows them to engage targets in both line-of-sight engagements, utilizing direct fire, and engage targets behind cover or obstacles through the use of indirect fire, where shells are fired in a high-angle trajectory.
Gun howitzers find utility in a variety of roles on the modern battlefield, including providing fire support to ground troops, engaging armored vehicles or fortifications, and conducting counter-battery fire against enemy artillery positions. Their flexibility, effectiveness, and adaptability make them a valuable asset in modern warfare, offering commanders a versatile and powerful tool for engaging targets at different ranges and under various conditions.
Etymology of GUN HOWITZERS
The word "gun howitzer" combines two different military terms: "gun" and "howitzer".
The term "gun" originates from the Middle English word "gonne" or "gunne", which in turn comes from the Old Norse word "gunnr" or "kannus" meaning "war" or "battle". Over time, "gun" came to refer to any large firearm used for warfare.
The term "howitzer" has its origins in the Czech word "houfnice", which means "a type of mortar". This word was borrowed into a variety of European languages, including German ("Haubitze") and French ("haubergeon"), before being anglicized as "howitzer".
