Mod-56 has remained a main part of lightweight artillery worldwide at one time. Despite being superseded by the better-performing U.S. howitzers, it remains part of the inventory in many countries, especially mountainous areas. It is a popular choice in the treacherous mountainous regions of Pakistan and is commonly known as the artillery workhorse.

Artillery played a significant part in the India-Pakistan war of September 1965, where Pakistani gunners won a clear edge over their adversaries. The capture of 18 intact 25 pounder guns of Indian Artillery near Jaurian raised a whole new unit.¹ The importance and immediate need to enhance artillery firepower was felt during the war. 
After the ceasefire, about a dozen new units were raised between September and November 1965, and the formations' artillery was reorganized.² 105/14 Model 56, 105-millimeter (mm) Pack Howitzer, commonly known as Mod-56 or Modelo-56,³ was also procured during the same period. Its significance was in the backdrop of operations in the Chhamb-Jaurian sector and the requirements in the mountainous terrain of Northern Areas (now Gilgit-Baltistan), and Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). The gun is in service with Pakistan Artillery since October 1965 and has been active at Poonch and Chhamb during 1971 War, and has been in continuous use in Kashmir on the Line of Control, responding aggressively to Indian shelling.⁴  It has served well in the Siachen conflict since 1984. In Siachen, it holds the unique distinction of being deployed at 17,000 feet above sea level, the highest ever deployment of any artillery piece in some of the most adverse temperatures, below freezing point.⁵
OTO-Melara, Italy, developed it during the 1950s and went into production in 1957. It was custom-made for the mountain artillery of the Italian Army’s Alpini brigades,⁶ but became a popular choice worldwide. It was one of the best lightweight artillery pieces, 105 mm caliber, in a pack version then. British and Australian armies adopted it in the early 60s as an L5 pack howitzer, but later, the British developed L118, and the Australians shifted to US M2A2.⁷ Its production became dormant in the 1990s when the demand became occasional. However, manufacturing continues on an as-needed basis.⁸

In Siachen, it holds the unique distinction of being deployed at 17,000 feet above sea level, the highest ever deployment of any artillery piece in some of the most adverse temperatures, below freezing point.

OTO-Melara has been known to produce nearly 2600 pieces since 1957. Over 2200 guns of Mod-56/L5 remained in use by over 40 countries worldwide, whereas around 200 pieces are also held by international arms distributors. Although many developed countries, including Italy itself, moved over to the U.S. version, around 1100 are still in use by 20 countries or so. China was supplied with two guns, and they directly copied Mod-56 to manufacture their own version by NORINCO. The gun remained a NATO weapon in the initial stages and also became the standard equipment of the Allied Command Europe Mobile Force (Land) artillery, equipping the batteries provided by Canada, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom (until 1975). Over 150 pieces are held by Pakistan alone, which have been procured from time to time.⁹

The howitzer has an effective range of 10-12 km and can be dismantled into 12 light, manageable components, which can be carried by mules in the mountains. The advantage of being lightweight is that it allows transportation through a helicopter while it can be towed, thus enhancing its versatility. With its shield removed, it can also be carried in APC M113. It is considered an infantryman’s friend due to its ability to be relocated over short distances by the crew without requiring assistance.¹⁰
Mod-56/L5 can be used with or without its shield and fire all types of U.S./NATO pattern 105mm M1 semi-fixed ammunition. It can be used as an artillery piece and indirect/anti-tank role.¹¹
Whereas the gun can be disassembled into twelve components within minutes, the lightweight has disadvantages, too. It lacks the requisite robustness necessary for sustained operations, owing to its barrel’s inability to undertake sustained firing. Australia and New Zealand replaced Mod-56 with the sturdy U.S.-made M101A1 in Vietnam after it was found unsuitable for continuous operations.¹² This lack of durability also led to their being carried on trucks for longer distances outside the combat zone. However, Pakistan, during wars, proved it otherwise. In Daruchian during 1971 War, one artillery regiment fired over 500 rounds in one night alone, while during intense operations in Kashmir in 1999, it was extensively fired with admirable success.¹³ The Mod 56 offers limited protection to its crew. Its original ammunition lacked range and punch, making it vulnerable to counter-fire and resulting in a premature explosion of rounds.
Identified combat use includes the Australian Army during the Malayan Emergency in Borneo and Malaya, during the Vietnam War in 1965-67, New Zealand Army during the Vietnam War, British Army during the Aden Emergency in South Yemen and Borneo, Malaysian Army in Borneo and Malaysian Peninsula during the Second Malayan Emergency (1968-1989), Nigerian Army during the Nigerian Civil War (Biafrans captured some), Argentine Army during the 1982 Falklands War¹⁴ and Pakistan Army during the India-Pakistan War 1971 and at Siachen/Line of Control.¹⁵

As already mentioned earlier, the integral 6-7 men gun crew can dismantle and assemble the gun in 12 parts:
Mod-56 has remained a main part of lightweight artillery worldwide at one time. Despite being superseded by the better-performing U.S. howitzers, it remains part of the inventory in many countries, especially mountainous areas. It is a popular choice in the treacherous mountainous regions of Pakistan and is commonly known as the artillery workhorse.

The author is a retired mechanized infantry officer. Presently, he serves as Director of the Composite Wing at Army Institute of Military History in Rawalpindi.
E-mail: ikhan755@hotmail.

Note: The article originally appeared in the magazine of the Army Institute of Military History Pakistan, Bugle and Trumpet.

   1. Interview of Major General Syed Ithar Hussain Shah (R) by author on the history of Pakistan's artillery.
   2. Ibid.
   3. Archived Report in May 2003 by Forecast International.
   4. Interview of Major General Syed Ithar Hussain Shah (R) by author on the history of Pakistan's artillery.
   5. Ibid.
   6. History of 5th Rt. Mountain Artillery - ‘Gruppo Sondrio’ at official Members’ site of the ‘Sondrio’ Mountain Artillery Group Alpina OROBICA Brigade.
   7. Article; ‘105mm Pack Howitzer’ at www.paradata.org.uk, accessed on  October 31, 2018.
   8. Archived Report in May 2003 by Forecast International.
   9. Ibid.
   10. Notes by School of Artillery, Nowshera.
   11. ‘Twentieth-century Artillery’ at www.worldcat.org accessed on March 15, 2019.
   12.  ‘Artillery Register’ at the site of Royal Australian Artillery History Company at www. artilleryhistory.org accessed on February 4, 2019.
   13.  Interview of Major General Syed Ithar Hussain Shah (R) by author on the history of Pakistan’s artillery.
   14. Aricle; ‘OTO Melara Mod 56’ at www.militaryfactory.com accessed on January 17, 2019.
   15. Interview of Major General Syed Ithar Hussain Shah (R) by the author on the history of Pakistan’s artillery.