Pom-Pom (gun)

A pom-pom is an antiaircraft gun.

They were the normal small anti-aircraft weapon on Royal Navy ships during the early part of World War II. For example, HMS Hood carried half a dozen pom-pom mounts.

An installation consisted of one, two four or eight short-barrelled 2 pounder (37 mm) guns. The name comes from a 37 mm gun of the Boer War.

• Shell – Explosive shells 0.9 kg
• Rate – 90 round/min
• Muzzle velocity – 620 m/s.
• Director controlled aiming

The intention was that the large number of shells thrown up would have an added deterent effect, but this was not realised, probably because without tracer there was no visible tracks. Later in the war they were largely replaced the Bofors 40mm gun, which did use tracer.

Although these were 2 pounder guns they were not the same gun as that used on British tanks eg the Matilda and as a anti-tank gun of that period.

See Also