Ordnance QF 17 Pounder Gun

The British Ordnance QF 17 Pounder Gun was considered the best Allied Anti-Tank Gun of WW2. Using APDS Ammunition it could take on and defeat any German Tank. The need for this weapon was realised when the 6 Pounder was found to be inadequate against the later Mk IV Panzer & Mk VI Tiger when these began to show up in North Africa. The weapon was also used to upgun some Tanks such as the Sherman Firefly and British M10 Wolverine Tank Destroyers. Prototype 17 Pounders were built in 1941 and sent to the Middle East. A large weapon, it could only be moved by use of a vehicle, such as a Crusader Gun Tractor, being too heavy for the crew to move. This precluded it's use in normal Infantry Units and it was only sent to Artillery Units for use. So great was the need for this weapon that it was rushed to the Desert before any proper Shells could be produced for it. However as Ammunition was made available it proved to be a very capable weapon and when the 1st proper production versions were available in 1943 they were sent to Italy. It was used to great effect where ever the need surfaced for it's use. One drawback was it's bright muzzle flash when fired, due to the large amount of propellant needed in it's shells. But the weapon was used throughout the rest of WW2 and in to the Korean War where it again served it's purpose well.

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17 Pounder Anti-Tank Gun

 

The weapons were known as 25/17-pounders and given the codename Pheasant.

Well, The 17-pdr Gun was a much bulkier and heavier weapon than its predecessor. As a result it had to be towed as it could not effectively be moved by its crew alone and needed vehicles on poor ground and was issued strictly to armour and anti-tank artillery units, and not infantry.