What about LeIgs as DAK or Nebelwerfers as Wehr? Hell, even a couple wehr mortars might be enough (if the damage is too low, you just spam smoke on the 17 pounder). In CoH3 there is no mortar pit to cause trouble this time
You can just get towing vehicle and get the gun out of there under leig fire without any issue.
Nebels just decrew it, you can still do the above on fire, or wait it out and re-crew it instantly.
And pretty sure there is mortar pit, just not for the brits