 The PIAT mount consisted of a U shaped cradle which held the trunnioned barrel and a slightly inclined rectangular metal firing platform with a hydro-gravity recoil system.When the howitzer fired two hydraulic buffers at the sides of the platform slowed the recoil of the cradle which slid up a set of inclined rails and then returned the howitzer to position by the combined action of the buffers and gravity.The firing platform could traverse 30°.