M110 US 1st Battalion/83rd Artillery in Support of 1ATF 1st Tour

By Robert Swiggett

The M110 was first laid for firing on packed ground. After firing two or three times, rotating in place and firing again it was soon found that the platforms had to be set in ground (made from 8"x8" or 12"x12" hardwood) because they couldn't remain level and were digging themselves into an uneven pit. The platforms were one of many Aussie brainstorms that made life so much easier for the then rookie 183rd Yanks. This shot you can see the round through the smoke if you look closely. This was a hot as hell day. We were firing an 8" to the west-south-west.