US soldiers fighting German armor with British Ammunition

[jeff w]

I finally found some AP ammunition expenditure numbers for US Army units firing British ammo and was really surprised by how much and what.

For just US First Army;

6 pdr APDS -
June 6, 44 - July 31st, 44 - 6302 rounds.
Aug 1, 44 - Feb 22, 45 - 3925 rounds
Feb 22, 45 - May 8, 45 - 1201 rounds

So roughly 7.5% of all 57mm ATG AP ammunition fired by US troops in First Army was APDS.

25 pounder AP Shot (what?!) -
Aug 1, 44 - Feb 22,45 - 216 rounds
none after Feb 22.

Man I'd love to hear more about how those 25 pounder engagements went, what they were shooting at, and what the GIs thought of the 25 pounder in the anti-tank gun role. Although "expenditure" doesn't necessarily mean in combat.

 

[Tony Williams]

25 pounder AP Shot (what?!) -

Image from the excellent book "Firing Now" by Dick Taylor.

The 20 pdr AP was fired with the Supercharge + additional increment, to achieve an MV of 2,000 fps.

 

[ron3350]

Tony I am sure you meant the 25Pr used the additional Red? super charge increment on top of the card wad to achieve this extra velocity.
I am sure I have one somewhere in the collection. 20Pr as you know is a different case and a fixed round.
I realise now you meant that the AP projectile weighed 20lbs. Sorry. (Not the 20 Lb Tank round).

 

[tankbarrell]

The 25 pr ap shot weighed 20 lbs but should be called the 25 pr AP shot to avoid confusion!

 

[Tony Williams]

You are correct of course, gentlemen!

 

[Listy]

25 pounder AP Shot (what?!) -
Aug 1, 44 - Feb 22,45 - 216 rounds
none after Feb 22.

Man I'd love to hear more about how those 25 pounder engagements went, what they were shooting at, and what the GIs thought of the 25 pounder in the anti-tank gun role. Although "expenditure" doesn't necessarily mean in combat.

http://ww2talk.com/index.php?threads/25-pdr-guns-used-by-us-army.86546/

Answer is there.

 

[jeff w]

Here is my 20 pound, 25 pounder AP Shot. I should get an acrylic spacer for my display to indicate separately loaded. I like the way Dick Taylor has it illustrated.
It does not have any manufacturer markings that I can find, just a broad arrow on the band. Is that pretty typical for these or is mine probably buried under corrosion and paint?