Limbers and Caissons - 20th Century

20th Century

With the general passing of the horse as a mover of artillery, the need for limbers and caissons also largely passed. Trucks or artillery tractors could tow artillery pieces but did not completely take over until after the end of the Second World War. Many armies retained limbers seemingly from sheer inertia. As a field artillery piece, the British 25-pdr was generally used with a Trailer which carried 32 rounds of ammunition though it could be towed without the limber.

Some simple limbers were kept for heavier pieces such as the 8 inch Howitzer M1 to achieve better weight distribution.

• 25-pdr field gun and limber being towed by a Morris Commercial Quad.

• 8-inch Howitzer M1 on a Limber Heavy Carriage (limber highlighted by red box).

• Image of limber, with caption in Russian.

• A similar image.

• Modern limber without gun.