WW2 C206 Ammunition Box

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1942

Subcollections

Overview

WW2 khaki painted tin C206 ammunition box with yellow stenciled writing that was used to carry ammunition for the 25 pounder MK IV field gun. The lid of the box has eight circular depressions that correspond with the shells carried within and it is secured by two hinges on the rear and a pair of spring clips on the front. When in service these clips were wired down with fine grade wire through a pair of small metal eyelets which were then sealed with a piece of lead to prevent tampering. The box has two metal handles

Historical information

The 25-pounder field gun was designed to combine the best attributes of the 18-pounder and 4.5-inch howitzer which were the major field artillery used by British and Commonwealth forces in WW1. With a calibre of 3.45 inches (87.6 mm) it was used by British and Commonwealth forces in the Second World War and was described as being durable, easy to operate and versatile. It was introduced into service just before the WW2 started, and combined both high-angle and direct-fire abilities, a relatively high rate of fire, and a reasonably lethal shell, with a highly mobile piece. By 1945 over 12,000 of these guns had been manufactured.

Australia used the 25-pounder extensively in WW2. Individual guns are now often seen as fixed memorials in memorial parks and Returned Servicemen's clubs. 1527 complete guns were manufactured in Australia from May 1941 and domestic production allowed the 25-pounder to be mounted in Australian-produced vehicles, such as the Thunderbolt tank.

The Department of Munitions was an Australian government department that existed between 11 June 1940 and April 1948. It was created in an effort to speed up munitions production, when it became apparent that Britain would unable to supply Australia's armed forces with arms and ammunition throughout the war. Reporting to it was the Factory Board, which was in charge of the six Small Arms Ammunition Factories, along with a number of ammunition and explosives factories across Australia.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2024.140

Item type

Objects

Themes

War and Conflict > World War 2

Material

Tin Alloy

Width

23 cm

Height or length

47 cm

Depth

30 cm

Inscriptions and markings

On the front and back appears

BB/C 9/42
25.PDR MK IV ??????
8-CARTGS
LOT V.C.1410
V.C.1428 R

On the base of the box

BB/C
1942
C206
II

Contextual Information

The 25-pounder fired two-part ammunition, where the projectile was loaded separately from the propelling charge in its brass cartridge case with its integral primer. There were two types of cartridge. The normal cartridge contained three cloth charge bags (coloured red, white and blue). White or blue bags would be removed from the cartridge to give "charge one" or "charge two", leaving all three bags in the cartridge case gave "charge three". The cartridge case was closed at the top with a leatherboard cup. The second type of cartridge was "super", which provided one charge only.

Keywords

WW2

Equipment - World War 2

Year

1942

Primary significance criteria

Social or spiritual significance

Busselton Historical Society

Organisation Details
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