44-509: The T19 howitzer motor carriage ( HMC ) was a 105 mm (4.1 in) howitzer mounted on a M3 Half-track chassis. It saw service during World War II with the U.S. Army. Its secondary armament consisted of an air-cooled .50 in (13 mm) M2 machine gun for local defense. It was produced by Diamond T between January 1942 and April 1942. It principally served in the North African Campaign , although some served in
88-565: A 105 mm M2A1 howitzer. Although this design had originally been suggested in September 1941, it had not been taken up. However, the urgency of the requirement resulted in the approval by the Adjutant General and the construction of a prototype was authorized by OCM 17391, dated 31 October 1941; the new vehicle designated as the 105 mm howitzer motor carriage T19. As with other American self-propelled guns produced during
132-576: A gross weight of either 17,650 pounds (8.01 t) (M3) or 18,425 pounds (8.357 t) (M3A1). The wheelbase was 135.5 in (3.44 m) long. The suspension consists of a leaf spring for the two front wheels, while the rear treads had vertical volute springs . With a fuel capacity of 60 US gallons (230 L), the M3 could carry its crew (one driver) and a squad of 12 soldiers 220 miles (350 km) before refueling, while protecting them from small arms with light armor (6–12 mm of armor ). The vehicle
176-702: A roof to protect the passengers and crew from shrapnel, it was used by most of the Allies during the war. In the Cold War era, the vehicle was used by a variety of state and non-state operators in conflicts in South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, remaining in service until as late as the mid-1990s. The M3 half-track was 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m) long, 7 ft 3.5 in (2.223 m) wide, 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) high and had
220-461: A single .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun (equipped with 300 rounds of ammunition) for local defense. In the autumn of 1941, when the Armored Force expanded, an urgent need for self-propelled artillery arose. Although a full-track chassis was preferred, the situation required the use of whatever vehicles were immediately available. The M3 Half-track was selected to carry
264-444: A two-speed transfer case. The front suspension uses leaf springs, while the tracks use vertical volute springs . Braking was hydraulic assisted while steering was manual. Onboard electronics run on a 12-volt system. The vehicle uses two tracks made of molded rubber over steel cabling with metal track guides. Infantry rifles were held in brackets behind the seats while ammunition and rations were generally stored underneath. In 1942,
308-444: A two-speed transfer case. The front suspension uses leaf springs, while the tracks use vertical volute springs . Braking was hydraulic assisted while steering was manual. Onboard electronics run on a 12-volt system. The vehicle uses two tracks made of molded rubber over steel cabling with metal track guides. Infantry rifles were held in brackets behind the seats while ammunition and rations were generally stored underneath. In 1942,
352-706: The Allied nations, International Harvester produced several thousand of a very similar vehicle, the M5 half-track , for Lend-Lease . Various attempts were made to mate the 40 mm Bofors L/50 gun to the M3 chassis. In most cases the weapon's recoil was too severe or the mounting too heavy, and the attempts were finally stopped with the adoption of the M19 MGMC on the M24 light tank chassis . Background: British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II , Tanks in
396-503: The Allied nations, International Harvester produced several thousand of a very similar vehicle, the M5 half-track , for Lend-Lease . Various attempts were made to mate the 40 mm Bofors L/50 gun to the M3 chassis. In most cases the weapon's recoil was too severe or the mounting too heavy, and the attempts were finally stopped with the adoption of the M19 MGMC on the M24 light tank chassis . Background: British armoured fighting vehicle production during World War II , Tanks in
440-470: The Allied invasion of Sicily and the subsequent Italian Campaign , and even as late as the invasion of southern France in 1944. The T19 howitzer gun motor carriage is an artillery purpose M3 Half-track , with a howitzer emplaced on the tracked portion of the frame. It was 20 ft 2 in long, 7 ft 3.5 in wide, 7 ft 8 in high, with a weight of 9.54 short tons. The suspension consisted of semi-elliptical longitudinal leaf springs for
484-566: The Cold War . Derived from the M2 half-track car , the M3 was extensively produced, with about 15,000 standard M3s and more than 38,000 variant units manufactured. The M3 was extensively modified with several dozen variant designs produced for different purposes. During World War II, the M3 and its variants were supplied to the U.S. Army and Marines , as well as British Commonwealth and Soviet Red Army forces, serving on all major fronts throughout
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#1732780403009528-503: The Allies during the war. In the Cold War era, the vehicle was used by a variety of state and non-state operators in conflicts in South America, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, remaining in service until as late as the mid-1990s. The M3 half-track was 20 ft 3 in (6.17 m) long, 7 ft 3.5 in (2.223 m) wide, 7 ft 5 in (2.26 m) high and had a gross weight of either 17,650 pounds (8.01 t) (M3) or 18,425 pounds (8.357 t) (M3A1). The wheelbase
572-509: The Army. Throughout 1939 and 1940, the M2 half-track car was prototyped and developed by the Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The M3 was developed as a larger version of the M2 equipped with two M1919 machine guns and an M2 Browning machine gun for combat usage. The M3 also added a rear door and five additional seats in the rear. The M3 was tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the summer of 1941 and
616-410: The Army. Throughout 1939 and 1940, the M2 half-track car was prototyped and developed by the Army at Aberdeen Proving Grounds. The M3 was developed as a larger version of the M2 equipped with two M1919 machine guns and an M2 Browning machine gun for combat usage. The M3 also added a rear door and five additional seats in the rear. The M3 was tested at Aberdeen Proving Grounds in the summer of 1941 and
660-607: The British Army M3 Half-track The M3 half-track was an American armored personnel carrier half-track widely used by the Allies during World War II and in the Cold War . Derived from the M2 half-track car , the M3 was extensively produced, with about 15,000 standard M3s and more than 38,000 variant units manufactured. The M3 was extensively modified with several dozen variant designs produced for different purposes. During World War II,
704-498: The M3 and its variants were supplied to the U.S. Army and Marines , as well as British Commonwealth and Soviet Red Army forces, serving on all major fronts throughout the war. The M3 and its variants were produced by many manufacturers including Diamond T , White Motor Company , and Autocar . They were adapted for a wide variety of uses, such as a self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon or self-propelled artillery . Although initially unpopular due to its lack of significant armor or
748-401: The M3, but had larger front wheels and a shorter front clip. The armor consisted of 1/4-inch thick hardened armor plate, and it was armed with two M1919 machine guns and one M2 Browning machine gun operated by a crew of eight. Tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1938 demonstrated unsatisfactory performance due to the front-wheel drive. The T7 was converted back into a scout car and returned to
792-401: The M3, but had larger front wheels and a shorter front clip. The armor consisted of 1/4-inch thick hardened armor plate, and it was armed with two M1919 machine guns and one M2 Browning machine gun operated by a crew of eight. Tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 1938 demonstrated unsatisfactory performance due to the front-wheel drive. The T7 was converted back into a scout car and returned to
836-600: The Philippines. The M3s first use in its intended role was during Operation Torch . Each armored division had 433 M2s or M3s, 200 in the armored regiments and 233 in the armored infantry regiment. The half-tracks were initially unpopular and nicknamed " Purple Heart boxes" (a grim reference to the US Army decoration for combat wounds) by American troops. The chief complaints centered on the complete lack of overhead protection from artillery shells bursting overhead and that
880-485: The Philippines. The M3s first use in its intended role was during Operation Torch . Each armored division had 433 M2s or M3s, 200 in the armored regiments and 233 in the armored infantry regiment. The half-tracks were initially unpopular and nicknamed " Purple Heart boxes" (a grim reference to the US Army decoration for combat wounds) by American troops. The chief complaints centered on the complete lack of overhead protection from artillery shells bursting overhead and that
924-510: The armor was inadequate against machine gun fire. Omar Bradley quoted in his report about half-tracks that it was "a competent and dependable contrivance. Its bad name resulted from the inexperience of our troops who attempted to use it for too many things". Another major issue with the M3 was its fixed rear idler, which often broke on rough terrain. Commanders in North Africa bought parts to build spring-loaded rear idlers that could handle
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#1732780403009968-449: The armor was inadequate against machine gun fire. Omar Bradley quoted in his report about half-tracks that it was "a competent and dependable contrivance. Its bad name resulted from the inexperience of our troops who attempted to use it for too many things". Another major issue with the M3 was its fixed rear idler, which often broke on rough terrain. Commanders in North Africa bought parts to build spring-loaded rear idlers that could handle
1012-493: The early World War II period, the prototype was assembled and tested at the Aberdeen Proving Ground . The M2 recoil mechanism and other parts of the M2 howitzer carriage were used in the vehicle mounting. After several tests, the gun carriage proved fragile on bumpy terrain. The problem was corrected by reinforcing the frame, and redesigning the howitzer mount. Demountable headlights were recommended because of
1056-462: The engine radiator, and adjustable bulletproof panels with vision slits for the windshield, driver windows, and passenger windows. The development of an armored half-track began with ordnance directive OCM 14188 to convert an M3 Scout Car into a half-track. The prototype was built at Rock Island Arsenal with help from White Motor Company and was designated the T7. It had the same chassis and engine as
1100-414: The engine radiator, and adjustable bulletproof panels with vision slits for the windshield, driver windows, and passenger windows. The development of an armored half-track began with ordnance directive OCM 14188 to convert an M3 Scout Car into a half-track. The prototype was built at Rock Island Arsenal with help from White Motor Company and was designated the T7. It had the same chassis and engine as
1144-430: The front seats that mounted a .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun . The later M3A1 adopted a raised, armored "pulpit" mount for the .50-caliber machine gun over the front passenger seat, and additional mounts for .30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns along the sides of the passenger compartment. Many M3s were later converted to M3A1s. The vehicle body was fully armored, with an adjustable armored shutter for
1188-430: The front seats that mounted a .50-caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine gun . The later M3A1 adopted a raised, armored "pulpit" mount for the .50-caliber machine gun over the front passenger seat, and additional mounts for .30-caliber (7.62 mm) machine guns along the sides of the passenger compartment. Many M3s were later converted to M3A1s. The vehicle body was fully armored, with an adjustable armored shutter for
1232-451: The latter especially evident when using narrow European streets. The unique design of the track, made up of steel bands with a rubber contact surface vulcanized to them, made replacement difficult; if the track became damaged or the steel bands stretched out, the entire track had to be replaced. A track with replaceable blocks was suggested as an alternative. Total production of the M3 and its variants ran to nearly 54,000 vehicles. To supply
1276-451: The latter especially evident when using narrow European streets. The unique design of the track, made up of steel bands with a rubber contact surface vulcanized to them, made replacement difficult; if the track became damaged or the steel bands stretched out, the entire track had to be replaced. A track with replaceable blocks was suggested as an alternative. Total production of the M3 and its variants ran to nearly 54,000 vehicles. To supply
1320-561: The loss of one T19. That unit was later awarded the Presidential Unit Citation . A few served as late as 1945 in southern France. It was finally declared obsolete in July 1945. That month, the contractor Brown & McLaughlin converted 90 T19s into M3A1 Half-tracks. M3 Half-track The M3 half-track was an American armored personnel carrier half-track widely used by the Allies during World War II and in
1364-418: The muzzle blast, although they were not available for early production models. Early models had no shield for the howitzer either, but a foldable shield was added during testing. The gun faced forward, like many other half-track models. The total traverse was 40 degrees and the elevation was from −5 to +35 degrees. The armored windshield cover was remounted so it could fold onto the hood. After further testing, it
T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage - Misplaced Pages Continue
1408-684: The rough terrain, which the Ordnance Department then approved as an official fix. In 1943, the M3 served in Sicily and Italy and received positive reports of it in action. It operated in Operation Overlord and served in Europe for the remainder of the war. The vehicle was generally considered very mechanically reliable, although there were two major complaints: the vehicle had a wide turning radius and lacked power steering,
1452-440: The rough terrain, which the Ordnance Department then approved as an official fix. In 1943, the M3 served in Sicily and Italy and received positive reports of it in action. It operated in Operation Overlord and served in Europe for the remainder of the war. The vehicle was generally considered very mechanically reliable, although there were two major complaints: the vehicle had a wide turning radius and lacked power steering,
1496-412: The vehicles were fitted with small racks for land mines on the outside of the hull, just above the tracks. In combat, many squads found it necessary to stow additional rations, rucksacks and other crew stowage on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks were often added in the field, and later vehicles were fitted with rear-mounted racks for this purpose. Early vehicles had a pintle mount just behind
1540-412: The vehicles were fitted with small racks for land mines on the outside of the hull, just above the tracks. In combat, many squads found it necessary to stow additional rations, rucksacks and other crew stowage on the outside of the vehicle. Luggage racks were often added in the field, and later vehicles were fitted with rear-mounted racks for this purpose. Early vehicles had a pintle mount just behind
1584-403: The war. The M3 and its variants were produced by many manufacturers including Diamond T , White Motor Company , and Autocar . They were adapted for a wide variety of uses, such as a self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon or self-propelled artillery . Although initially unpopular due to its lack of significant armor or a roof to protect the passengers and crew from shrapnel, it was used by most of
1628-537: The wheels and vertical volute springs for the tracks. It was powered by a White 160AX, 147 hp, 386 in, six-cylinder gasoline engine with a compression ratio of 6.3:1. It was capable of a maximum road speed of 45 mph. The power-to-weight ratio was 14.7 hp/ton. The vehicle was operated by a crew of six. Maximum armor was only 0.5 inch at the windshield and 0.25 inches everywhere else. The armament consisted of one 105 mm M2A1 howitzer (equipped with eight rounds of ammunition) with
1672-414: Was 135.5 in (3.44 m) long. The suspension consists of a leaf spring for the two front wheels, while the rear treads had vertical volute springs . With a fuel capacity of 60 US gallons (230 L), the M3 could carry its crew (one driver) and a squad of 12 soldiers 220 miles (350 km) before refueling, while protecting them from small arms with light armor (6–12 mm of armor ). The vehicle
1716-624: Was accepted for production. After the design was accepted, a prototype was shipped to Diamond T as a guide for production. The first production vehicle was delivered to the US Army in January 1942. A total of 324 T19s had been made by the time production ended in April 1942. The T19 HMC was designed as a stopgap measure until better self-propelled artillery pieces were made; it served in the Tunisia Campaign in North Africa in 1942–43. It
1760-565: Was accepted into service soon after. In US service, it was intended that the M3 would be issued to armored infantry regiments. It was also quickly put into action with the Provisional Tank Group when the Japanese Army began their invasion of the Philippines . At first, there were multiple complaints due to several mechanical difficulties. These were rectified by the Ordnance Department after receiving field reports from
1804-428: Was accepted into service soon after. In US service, it was intended that the M3 would be issued to armored infantry regiments. It was also quickly put into action with the Provisional Tank Group when the Japanese Army began their invasion of the Philippines . At first, there were multiple complaints due to several mechanical difficulties. These were rectified by the Ordnance Department after receiving field reports from
T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage - Misplaced Pages Continue
1848-520: Was employed mainly in most battalions' headquarter platoons, and the "cannon companies" of infantry divisions. The T19 was soon replaced in armored divisions by the M7 Priest , a 105 mm howitzer on a fully tracked chassis. It served with only a few units in Sicily and Italy. On one occasion, the cannon company of the 16th Infantry Regiment halted a German tank attack by destroying six tanks, for
1892-637: Was powered by a 148 hp (110 kW) White 160AX, 386 in (6,330 cc), 6-cylinder gasoline engine. The design, which used many commercial components to improve reliability and the rate of production, was standardized in 1940 and built by the Autocar Company , Diamond T Motor Company, and the White Motor Company. With a White 160AX engine, the M3 was driven through a manual constant-mesh (non- synchromesh ) transmission with four forward and one reverse gear, as well as
1936-502: Was powered by a 148 hp (110 kW) White 160AX, 386 in (6,330 cc), 6-cylinder gasoline engine. The design, which used many commercial components to improve reliability and the rate of production, was standardized in 1940 and built by the Autocar Company , Diamond T Motor Company, and the White Motor Company. With a White 160AX engine, the M3 was driven through a manual constant-mesh (non- synchromesh ) transmission with four forward and one reverse gear, as well as
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