In 1939, the 105 mm Howitzer M101A1 was put into service at the U.S. Army as M2. Until 1953, this field gun was built more than 10,200 times. It had a range of up to 12,205 yards, and the range of later versions was even higher. The 105 could use a variety of ammunition including high explosive, smoke, chemical and also propaganda. The last had been used to spread printed material over enemy lines in order to fight against the enemy's morals. The Howitzer was one of the most versatile weapons of the Western ground forces. It was transported to the troops in the field air-dropped or behind a truck. Production of the M101A1 105 mm Howitzer had been stopped in 1962 and it was replaced by the M102 105 mm Howitzer.