22nd Field Artillery (Howitzer) Brigade

Alfred Warburton Chapman (Snr)

Shoulder patch

Brief History

The 22nd Field Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery was an artillery regiment of the Australian Army. Formed in Egypt in 1916 as a howitzer brigade assigned to the 2nd Division, the unit served on the Western Front during World War I until it was disbanded in early 1917.

Howitzer Brigades were added to the establishment of Divisional Artillery for the Western Front. 18 pounder field guns did not have the power to defeat well prepared defensive positions such as German blockhouses and concrete dugouts. A Howitzer Battery was originally raised for each Field Artillery Brigade but concentration was the name of the game and it was realised more were required, so the Howitzer Brigades comprising 12 x 4.5 inch howitzers were raised; 21 through 25, the second digit indicating the Division to which it was assigned. Thus the 23rd Howitzer Brigade acted in support of the 3rd Division.

A howitzer is a relatively short barreled gun that fires a comparatively heavy shell at moderate velocity on a high trajectory causing the shells to fall steeply or 'lob' into the enemy positions. When the shell is fitted with a delay fuse, the projectile will detonate sub-surface which is the desired effect to destroy trenches dugouts and the like.

On arrival in France, the artillery was re-organised with each field artillery brigade having 12 x 18 pounders and 4 x 4.5 inch howitzers. There was initially a lack of howitzers available to meet the establishment. In March 1916 a fourth battery of four 18 pounder field guns was added. At the same time a Howitzer Brigade was raised for each division with 12 x 4.5 inch howitzers each. The Howitzer Brigades were short lived though. Because of supply constraints in respect of the guns, the Howitzer Brigades were broken up and the batteries distributed among the Field Artillery Brigades of each Division in early 1917, as had been originally intended. Twenty five men lost their life while posted to this unit.

The Brigade's sub units were:

• 19th Field Artillery Battery

• 20th Field Artillery Battery

• 21st Field Artillery Battery
• Alfred Warburton Chapman (Snr)

• 117th Field Artillery (Howitzer) Battery

• 22nd Brigade Ammunition Column

Individual Honours

• 1 x Distinguished Conduct Medal