In the British Army at the beginning of World War II, virtually all artillery was part of the Royal Artillery, with only relatively small units belonging to the Royal Horse Artillery, but their equipment and structure were very similar to those of the Royal Artillery. At the start of World War II, the British artillery was equipped with the very successful Ordnance QF 25-pounder howitzer, but in September 1939 it was relatively small and still based on the 18-pounder gun, reminiscent of the First World War. It should be added, however, that the state of things was changing rapidly. In 1941, the 114-mm BL 4.5 inch Medium Gun was adopted, and in 1942, the very successful BL 5.5 inch Gun.cal. 140 mm. On the other hand, the basis of heavy artillery was a modified 183-mm BL 7.2-inch howitzer. It is worth adding that the British artillery was fully motorized from the beginning of the Second World War, which positively distinguished it from the German artillery, which was still largely based on horse traction. It is worth adding that from 1940 the main unit of British field artillery was a battery of 6 guns, and later of 8 guns. Another advantage was the introduction of forward artillery observers (English abbreviation FOO), who could request artillery support not only from their own battery, but also from regimental or divisional artillery. This element, as well as many others (for example, high mobility, good training, good communication,
