The cannone da 65/17 modello 13 was an artillery piece developed by Italy for use with its mountain and infantry units. The designation means 65 mm calibre gun, barrel length 17 calibres, which entered service in 1913. The designation is often shortened to cannone da 65/17.

Description

A lightweight design, the 65 mm gun was designed for use in difficult terrain and extreme weather conditions. The barrel had a 17 calibre length, and was designed for firing low-trajectory shots. The carriage was likewise simple in nature, consisting of a single trailing arm and solid-rim spoked wheels for horse draft. The weapon could be broken-down into five loads for transport. A simple folding gun shield was also provided in 1935.

History

WWI - Monte Padon - Italian 65-17 modello 13 mountain howitzer firing at Austrian positions on the Sass di Mezdi

The 65 mm gun was first accepted into service with Italian mountain troops in 1913, and it served with them throughout

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. It was used in the Fiat 2000 heavy tank which saw action in Libya. Replacements arrived in the 1920s and the gun was transferred to the regular infantry. It was well liked by the infantry due to its minimal weight and high reliability in adverse conditions. Despite its light calibre, it served through

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

with Italian forces as a close support weapon. It was effective also mounted on truck, particularly on captured

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in North Africa, as anti-tank artillery. Guns captured by the Germans after the Italian defeat were given the designation 6.5 cm GebK 246(i). Some were fielded by the

Ecuadorian Army The Ecuadorian Army ( es, ''Ejército Ecuatoriano'', italic=unset) is the land component of the Ecuadorian Armed Forces. Its 160,500 soldiers are deployed in relation to its military doctrine. The contemporary Ecuadorian Army incorporates many jun ...

during the

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Bundesarchiv Bild 183-2006-1204-500, Spanien, Schlacht um Guadalajara

References

Sources

* Hogg, Ian; 2000; ''Twentieth Century Artillery''; Amber Books, Ltd.;

External links

(1915) Servizio del Cannone da 65 Mont. (1915 dated manual which discusses the operation, deployment, and crew drill for the Italian Cannone da 65/17 Modello 13, a 65mm mountain gun)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Cannone da 65 17 modello 13 Mountain artillery World War I artillery of Italy World War II artillery of Italy World War II anti-tank guns 65 mm artillery

Description

History

See also

References

Sources

External links