A split lift howitzer, the howitzer comprising: i) an elevating mass comprising: a) an ordnance for firing a projectile, the ordnance comprising a sub optimal length barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech assembly at the rear end of the barrel; and b) a cradle for holding the ordnance at a traverse and an elevation, wherein the cradle includes a front bridge portion which engages with a piston rod of a recoil brake and a piston rod of a recuperator, and the recoil brake is mounted on top of the barrel and the recuperator is mounted below the barrel, wherein the cylinder bodies of the recoil brake and recuperator are attached to the barrel; and c) wherein said cradle comprises two side plates that are secured at the front bridge portion, and with upper and lower bridge members fitted along the length of the cradle, said two side plates each have an inner face is mounted a guideway, wherein the recuperator body comprises slides to run on said guideways, d) two trunnion pins located on said cradle, which co-locate with receiving trunnion bearings on a saddle, e) wherein a pair of combined elevation and balance actuators are located between the saddle and the cradle, ii) wherein in a first position said breech is located forward of said trunnion, iii) in a second position said breech is retracted substantially behind said trunnion, iv) wherein the cradle comprises a recoil brake elevation cut-off gear, such that said recoil stroke is variable, v) wherein below 30 degrees the recoil brake stroke is maximised, to minimise recoil force and overturning moments, vi) wherein at barrel elevations above 30 degrees, where the recoil forces are more vertical, the recoil stroke is shortened by operation of the recoil brake's elevation cut-off gear. i) an elevating mass comprising: a) an ordnance for firing a projectile, the ordnance comprising a sub optimal length barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech assembly at the rear end of the barrel; and b) a cradle for holding the ordnance at a traverse and an elevation, wherein the cradle includes a front bridge portion which engages with a piston rod of a recoil brake and a piston rod of a recuperator, and the recoil brake is mounted on top of the barrel and the recuperator is mounted below the barrel, wherein the cylinder bodies of the recoil brake and recuperator are attached to the barrel; and c) wherein said cradle comprises two side plates that are secured at the front bridge portion, and with upper and lower bridge members fitted along the length of the cradle, said two side plates each have an inner face is mounted a guideway, wherein the recuperator body comprises slides to run on said guideways, d) two trunnion pins located on said cradle, which co-locate with receiving trunnion bearings on a saddle, e) wherein a pair of combined elevation and balance actuators are located between the saddle and the cradle, a) an ordnance for firing a projectile, the ordnance comprising a sub optimal length barrel defining a barrel axis and having a muzzle towards the front end of the howitzer and a breech assembly at the rear end of the barrel; and b) a cradle for holding the ordnance at a traverse and an elevation, wherein the cradle includes a front bridge portion which engages with a piston rod of a recoil brake and a piston rod of a recuperator, and the recoil brake is mounted on top of the barrel and the recuperator is mounted below the barrel, wherein the cylinder bodies of the recoil brake and recuperator are attached to the barrel; and c) wherein said cradle comprises two side plates that are secured at the front bridge portion, and with upper and lower bridge members fitted along the length of the cradle, said two side plates each have an inner face is mounted a guideway, wherein the recuperator body comprises slides to run on said guideways, d) two trunnion pins located on said cradle, which co-locate with receiving trunnion bearings on a saddle, e) wherein a pair of combined elevation and balance actuators are located between the saddle and the cradle, ii) wherein in a first position said breech is located forward of said trunnion, iii) in a second position said breech is retracted substantially behind said trunnion, iv) wherein the cradle comprises a recoil brake elevation cut-off gear, such that said recoil stroke is variable, v) wherein below 30 degrees the recoil brake stroke is maximised, to minimise recoil force and overturning moments, vi) wherein at barrel elevations above 30 degrees, where the recoil forces are more vertical, the recoil stroke is shortened by operation of the recoil brake's elevation cut-off gear.