Howitzers are one of two primary types of field artillery. Historically, howitzers fired a heavy shell in a high-trajectory from a relatively short barrel and their range was limited but they were slightly more mobile than similar size field guns. Since the end of

World War II World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...

, howitzers have gained longer barrels and hence increased range to become

gun-howitzer Gun-howitzer (also referred to as gun howitzer) is a type of artillery weapon that is intended to fulfill both the role of ordinary cannon or field gun, and that of a howitzer. It is thus able to convey both direct and indirect fire. Modern gun-ho ...

Towed howitzers

Self-propelled howitzers

Fixed howitzers

{, class="wikitable sortable" style="font-size:100%;" ! width="12%", Caliber (mm) ! width="44%", Weapon name ! width="22%", Country of origin ! width="22%", Usage , - , 406 , ,

16-inch howitzer M1920 The 16-inch howitzer M1920 (406 mm) was a coastal artillery piece installed to defend major American seaports between 1922 and 1947. They were operated by the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps. They were installed on high-angle barbett ...

, , , , World War II , - , 420 , , 42 cm Gamma-Gerät , , / {{flag, Nazi Germany , , World War I / World War II , - Howitzer