How do you move a Howitzer?

A howitzer is a type of artillery piece characterized by a relatively short barrel and the use of comparatively small propellant charges to propel projectiles at relatively high trajectories, with a steep angle of descent.

This one is an armored self-propelled 105 Howitzer M7 Priest. It had a crew of seven and most likely served in WWII and Korea. GI’s commonly referred to this weapon as a Priest due to the pulpit-like shape of the machine gun ring.

The Earl W. Taylor American Legion Post 21 holds a “deed of donation” by the United States for the Priest which calls out a duty to display and maintain for educational purposes. The Legion and Historical Society have signed a joint agreement for the purpose of displaying the Howitzer on the lawn of the Temple of Honor museum grounds. 

How do you move one that is not operational and weighs approximately 25 tons? With a very skilled truck driver, heavy equipment, a heavy chain, and of course volunteers. 

Decide where to park it

 

Back it into position

Back it into position

 

Shove it off the trailer

Start it rolling off of the trailer

 

Pull it into position

Use the tractor to stop it from rolling into the street

 

Weld the track to the drive so that it will not move

 

Image 1

And make a final adjustment

 

 

Standing Proud

Standing Proud

 

Meet a Howitzer face to face.

Meet a Howitzer face to face.