Artillery in Canada: 105-mm L5 Pack Howitzer

L5 105-mm Pack Howitzer

(Author Photo)

105-mm L5 Pack Howitzer, Serial No. 57659, WO Mess, 5 CDSB Gagetown, New Brunswick.

The L5 105-mm Pack Howitzer was in Canadian service in parachute and light roles from 1969 to 1994. An Italian design that can be broken down into 11 loads was ideal for moving via pack animals and for parachute drops. NATO standardized field artillery soon after it was formed, causing Canada to replace all 25 Pounders with the 105mm C1 Howitzer (a version of the US M2A1).

Each Parachute Detachment operated an L5 or two 81mm mortars. E Battery (Parachute) was converted to field artillery shortly after the L5 was retired. Canada currently does not maintain parachute artillery capability.

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