In-the-field practice eventually was to spur development of a lighter ordnance piece in the mold of the 25-pounder and this led to work on such a type beginning in September of 1942. Various measures were enacted to reduce the overall weight of the weapon system, including a shortening of the gun tube and, later, removing the standard gunnery shield. Logistics were kept as friendly as possible by reutilization of many 25-pdr components. The weapon retained virtually all of the inherent capabilities of the original gun including its ammunition options (87.6mm caliber). The breech used a vertically-sliding wedge design with recoil managed by a hydropneumatic system. An all-new two-wheeled box trail carriage was also developed - the gun mounting hardware given an elevation span of -5 to +40 and a traversal of 4-degrees to either side. The gun was accepted as the "Ordnance QF 25-pounder Short (Aust) Mark I".
The Australian Short model provided Australian troops with a portable artillery piece that could be air dropped in unassembled components or relatively easily towed by mover vehicle on roads. It was specifically designed with a quick take-down capability which made for lighter individual loads for cross-country travel. Evaluations of the gun system were conducted during December of 1942 with early, limited service occurring in New Guinea at the start of 1943. After some revisions brought about by this exposure, the gun was slated for serial production from 1943 onwards. The Australian Army placed two procurement batches: 112 and 100 - the latter using the slightly improved Mk II carriage unit instead.
Despite their limited production, the guns were in constant use up until the last fighting days. They continued in service a short time longer as they were not officially retired until 1946.
Australian gunnery teams affectionately knew their 25-pdr Shorts as "Snorts".
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.