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6-pounder Anti-Tank Gun The Ordnance, Quick Firing 6-Pounder 7-cwt Gun was an anti-tank weapon used in Canadian anti-tank units (notably the Anti-Tank Platoons of Infantry Battalions) during the Second World War. The 6-pounder was a relatively small gun that could be pushed by its crew when necessary. It was towed by a Universal Carrier, and could be brought into action quickly. The gun fired both a variety of Armour Piercing and High Explosive rounds, and could be used to engage not just armoured fighting vehicles, but also soft-skin vehicles, enemy entrenchments, and buildings. Just before the Normandy landing, small amounts of Armour Piercing Discarding Sabot ammunition was issued, though in very small quantities; these rounds had much improved armour penetration abilities. The 6-Pounder replaced the early 2-pounder (40mm) anti-tank gun in use at the start of the Second World War. (The official designation included the weight of the gun barrel - 7cwt - in order to distinguish it from other 6-pounder guns used for anti-aircraft and coastal defence duties). By July 1944, the 6-pounder was proving inadequate against the bulk of German medium and heavy armour; against the frontal armour of heavier tanks like the Tiger or Panther, the 6-pounder was all but useless. In Italy, some Canadian infantry battalions withdrew the 6-pounders in favour of creating "tank hunting" platoons armed with the PIAT. It was with one of these tank hunting units which Private Ernest "Smokey" Smith performed deeds for which he was awarded the Victoria Cross. AmmunitionThe 6-pounder first saw action in British service in May 1942 at Gazala in North Africa. It made an immediate impact as it was able to penetrate the armour of any German or Italian tank then in service. In a celebrated action, the 6-pounder guns of 2nd Rifle Brigade destroyed more than 30 enemy vehicle during the battle of Alamein. However, the Germans began to field increasingly heavier tanks beginning in 1943, including the Tiger and the Panther. The standard 6-pounder ammunition was insufficient against the frontal armour of these new vehicles, though still effective when presented shots from other facings. The situation was improved by the development of more sophisticated ammunition, particularly Armour-Piercing, Composite Rigid (APCR) and Armour-Piercing, Discarding Sabot (APDS) shot, which was available from 1944. The latter was particularly successful giving the gun the capability to knock out a Tiger 1, head on at 1,000 meters.
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