Army Ducks - The Howitzer Traditional Cache
OReviewer: As there's been no response to my earlier note, I am forced to archive this listing.
If you wish to repair/replace the cache sometime in the future, just contact me email, including the GC Code, and assuming it meets the guidelines, we'll be happy to unarchive it.
Thanks,
-OReviewer
Army Ducks - The Howitzer
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Difficulty:
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Terrain:
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Size: 
(micro)
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The year is twenty-eleven. There has been an ongoing feud between two rivals that many are unaware of. After the southern migration of the Canadian Geese, so many years ago, they have became a nuisance to us all. One inhabitant of this area is very angry at the fact that the Canadian Geese are stealing their food and ponds. They are beginning to join in massive flocks to create a force that is unstoppable. Their goal is to drive these geese back to their homeland. General Donald Duck has created an army of SUPER ducks!
I, Gen. Donald Duck of the Army Ducks, is calling you to join us in the war against the Canadian Geese. As a Geocacher and new recruit of the Army Ducks, your mission is to find caches at current Army Duck post while learning about the past wars and equipment used. Godspeed fellow Army Duck/Geocacher on your journey and hunt.
-General Donald Duck
Please Replace As Found and Be Respectful to the Area!
The 75mm Pack Howitzer M1 (also known by its post-war designation M116) was designed in the United States in 1920s to meet a need for an artillery piece that could be moved across difficult terrain. The gun and carriage was designed so that it could be broken down into several pieces to be carried by pack animals. The gun saw combat in Second World War with the US Army (primarily used by airborne units), with US Marine Corps, and was also supplied to foreign forces.
The howitzer M1 or M1A1 consisted of tube and breech, which were joined together by interrupted threads, allowing for quick assembly and disassembly. One eighth of a turn was required to connect or disconnect tube and breech. The tube had uniform, right hand rifling with one turn in 20 calibers. The breech was of horizontal sliding block type, with continuous-pull firing mechanism.
The recoil system was hydropneumatic. Both recoil buffer and recuperator were located under the barrel.
The pack howitzer carriage M1 had dismantling construction. The carriage was of box trail type, with steel-rimmed wooden wheels. For transportation, the howitzer M1 or M1A1 on carriage M1 could be broken down into six mule loads, with payload weight between 73 and 107 kg each:
* Tube
* Breech and wheels
* Top sleigh and cradle
* Bottom sleigh and recoil mechanism
* Front trail
* Rear trail and axle.
The carriage M8 was identical, except for axle arms and wheels, which were metal with pneumatic tires. The howitzer on carriage M8 could be broken down into seven mule loads or into nine parachute loads (the latter arrangement included 18 rounds of ammunition). It could also be towed by vehicle such as 1/4 ton jeep, or transported by plane or glider such as CG-4 Waco.
The field howitzer carriages of the M3 family were non-dismantling, split trail. All these were fitted with metal wheels with pneumatic tires; all had an additional retractable support, referred to as a firing base. In firing position, the firing base could be lowered and wheels raised, leaving the weapon to rest on the firing base and trails.
In the Second World War era US Army, 75 mm howitzers were issued to airborne and mountain units.
An airborne division, according to the organization of February 1944, had three 75 mm howitzer battalions - two glider field artillery battalions (two six-gun batteries each) and one parachute field artillery battalion (three four-gun batteries), in total 36 pieces per division. In December 1944, new Tables of Organization and Equipment increased the divisional firepower to 60 75 mm howitzers (as an option, in glider battalions 75 mm pieces could be replaced with more powerful 105mm M3).
The only mountain division formed, the 10th, had three 75 mm howitzer battalions, 12 pieces each. The gun was also used by some separate field artillery battalions.
There is also a M60 on these grounds. Feel free to check it out also!!
Coin for FTF!!!!!
Additional Hints
(Decrypt)
Vg'f ba gur Z8 (pneevntr). Ybbx sbe gur "K"