Blown Howtar

This photo was taken during one of my infrequent visits to the Chu Lai base camp of the 3d Battalion, 11th Marines. This is what is left of a Howtar - a 107mm amalgam of a howitzer and a mortar. This particular one decided to explode its shell before firing it at the Viet Cong. We didn't get to see this sort of self-destruction often, so the weapon was put on display. I don't recall if there were any injuries, but scenes like this do serve to make you view these artillery pieces with the respect they require.