The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - Stuart M3 and M5 Light Tank

M5A1 LIGHT TANK "STUART"
INTRODUCTION

In Germany in 1945.

During the 1930's the United States Army did not consider tanks to be a relevant weapon on the battlefield. Consequently, little research and development was performed. German victories in Europe exploiting firepower and mobility of tank warfare rekindled interest in tanks among U.S. military leaders, resulting in development plans for a light tank. Several models of the light tank were developed, including the M1, M2 and M3 series. In 1942 production began on the M5 series light tank at the Cadillac Division of General Motors Corporation. There was no M4 light tank designation in order to avoid confusion with the M4 medium tank, then under production. In September of 1942 design improvements were made, culminating in the M5A1, the ultimate refinement of the 1930's vintage U.S. light tank technology. A total production of 6810 M5A1 tanks occurred from 1942 to 1944.

DESIGN CONCEPT AND DEVELOPMENT

Evaluation of the M5A1 design concept entails the basic principles of tank warfare; armor, firepower and mobility. The inherent nature of the light tank implies light armor which is an obvious deficiency for a combat vehicle. The frontal armor was rolled homogeneous steel approximately 1.125 inches (29 mm), sufficient for the Far East theater, but insufficient for German munitions especially toward the end of the war. The vehicle had a relatively high profile (height 101 inches), easing the job of enemy gunners to acquire a target. Light tank also implies light firepower which, in the form of a 37mm main gun, was inferior to other combat vehicles at the time in the European theater. However, the armament was quite effective against Japanese combat vehicles in the Far East theater. Mobility was impressive with a maximum speed of 36 MPH. Interviews with actual drivers indicated that speeds in excess of 45 MPH were readily achieved. The V8 engines were very quiet and the Hydramatic transmissions allowed easy gear shifting, resulting in a stealthy vehicle.

ENGINEERING CHARACTERISTICS

The M5A1 was equipped with a .30 caliber bow machine gun, .30 caliber coaxial machine gun, 37 mm main gun and .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun. The M5A1 was originally equipped with a .30 caliber anti-aircraft machine gun on the turret but most tankers acquired the .50caliber machine gun since it was more effective. Ground pressure is 12.3 psi. The suspension uses vertical volute springs. The controlled differential is on the right side of the driver. This is essentially a 2 speed automatic shift gear box coupled to 2 drive shafts from 2 automatic 4 speed transmissions. This gives the vehicle 8 speeds forward and 2 speeds in reverse, all automatic shift. The power plant is the 346 cu.in. flat head V8 engine, two of which are mounted in the rear of the vehicle, connected to 4 speed Hydramatic transmissions. Each engine generated 110 horsepower. A two barrel Carter carburetor provides fuel to the engine with thermal spring automatic chokes for cold starts. The tank commander/main gun loader sits on the right, while the gunner sits on the left. A gyroscope to the right of the turret is used to aid in aiming the main gun on irregular terrain. The M5A1 had a crew of 4: the driver, assistant driver/bow gunner, main gunner and tank commander/loader. The M6 periscope was used in 5 locations on the vehicle with 4 looking forward and one to the rear.

USAGE IN WORLD WAR II

The M5 made its debut in the invasion of Casablanca in French North Africa. By 1943, and at the time of the invasion of Sicily, the M5A1 was becoming the standard light tank of the American armored divisions. Because of limited firepower, the M5A1 eventually took on reconnaissance and escort duties in Italy and, after the invasion of Normandy, throughout Europe. In the Pacific theater, the M5A1 made its debut at Roi-Namur in February of 1944 and on Saipan, the same year. The M5A1 was quite effective against most Japanese armor, even the Japanese Type 97 Chi-Ha medium tank typically used in the Pacific theater. The 37 mm main gun, although obsolete in Europe, was found to be effective against Japanese targets. Consequently, many other vehicles carrying the 37 mm gun, such as the M8 armored car and M3 anti-tank gun were retained and used in the Pacific theater.

Figure 1 is a view of M5A1 Light Tank, serial number 1243.

This tank was manufactured by Cadillac Motor Car Company in 1942. Cadillac was chosen to build the M5A1 because Cadillac engines and transmissions were readily available to replace the Continental radials of the earlier light tank models that were in short supply. The M5A1 is the most advanced version of the "Stuart" light tank series used by the U.S., England, Poland, France, Russia and China in World War II.

Figure 2 is a frontal view of Stuart 1243 with frontal armor stowage configuration typical of that found in Normandy, 1944. The Culin (named after Sgt. Culin, the inventor) hedge row cutter is shown, fabricated from steel obstructions deployed by the Germans along the French Coast. A length of extra track was usually secured to the frontal armor for stowage but also acted as added protection from shape charge anti-tank weapons. A single road wheel (bogie) is mounted in the center of the glacis plate. The anti-aircraft machine gun mounted on the sponson to the right of the turret was originally .30 caliber, but was typically replaced in the field with the .50 caliber Browning, which carried more punch.

The vehicle is equipped with a dry pin volute spring suspension with rubber track blocks and track pins with rubber bushings. This is the same suspension design for all the Stuart variants. The four road wheels gave a smooth cross-country ride on rubber block tracks. The rubber block tracks were light and fast but did not perform well in ice or snow and were prone to skidding. Grousers, which enhanced vehicle traction and reduced skidding, were stored on the turret and installed on the tracks during snowy conditions.

Figure 4 is a view of the driver's compartment at the left side of the vehicle. The twin Cadillac engines with automatic transmissions made for a smooth running machine, which is why the British often referred to the tank as a "Honey." The automatic transmission facilitated the training of drivers and the operation of the vehicle, and is great for reenacting as many present-day folks have difficulty operating a manual shift. To the right of the driver's seat is the controlled differential unit, which is essentially a 2 speed automatic gear box, giving the driver options of up to 8 gears in automatic. Steering levers are mounted above the driver when stowed and pulled down when the vehicle is being steered. The driver pulls on the right lever to go right and the left lever to go left. To stop, both levers are pulled. During turns, vehicle drag increases and power must be increased to keep the vehicle moving and help in skidding the turn, which is typical of fully tracked vehicles of that era.

Figure 5 is a view of the turret fighting compartment showing the breech end of the 37mm gun. The breech has been removed and a cannon simulator using propane and oxygen as fuels is placed in the barrel. An oil reservoir contains diesel fuel that is pumped into the gun periodically to add smoke and realism to the gun smoke signature. The tank commander and gunner sit on a turret basket in this area. A gyroscopic gun stabilization system was provided, an advanced feature at the time. During reenactments, the gunner and tank commander sit with open hatches as a safety precaution, watching out for other reenactors.

Figure 6 is a view of one of the two Cadillac 346 cubic inch flat head V8 engines as viewed from the rear of the engine compartment. The engine utilized the General Motors Hydramatic transmission making shifting easy, along with reduced training time for new drivers. The engine and transmission were nearly unaltered from the automotive application, which was usually found in the Cadillac LaSalle and other top of the line General Motors civilian vehicles. Since the Ordinance Department had failed to anticipate tank engine development requirements for future tank design, civilian automotive engines, especially those in large supply, were hurriedly adapted for tank usage. The Cadillac engines operated reliably but were underpowered. With one engine not functioning, the vehicle had difficulty operating without disconnecting one of the driveshafts, a time consuming task. The gasoline fueled V8's ran very quietly unlike the noisy radial aircraft engines in previous models.

ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL DATA
Weight................33500 lb.
Length.............15 ft.11 in.
Width...............7 ft. 6 in.
Height..............8 ft. 5 in.
Ground Clearance.......16.5 in.
Maximum speed............36 mph
Turning radius...........21 ft.
Maximum grade..............60 %

Armament:

1 37 mm Gun, M6;
ammunition
A.P.C., M51B1, M51B2; A.P., M74; H.E., M63
2 caliber .30 machine gun
1 caliber .50 machine gun

M3 Stuart Light Tanks
In Action In New Guinea
December 1942 to January 1943

Introduction

The M3 Light Tank series were the first vehicles delivered to Australia during the Second World War under the Lend Lease scheme. They were also the first tanks used by an Australian armoured unit in the jungle against the Japanese in New Guinea in late 1942. Australia received both M3 and M3A1 types, and both petrol and diesel engined versions.

Stuarts in Australia

The Stuart was the first of the lend-lease armoured vehicles supplied to Australia by Britain (from US stocks), with the first vehicles arriving in Puckapunyal late in 1941. The Stuart eventually equipped several of the units of the 1st Australian Armoured Division in 1942.

A Stuart at Giropa Point during the attacks of late December 1942. This tank lacks the hull stowage box on the front right of the vehicle.

Initial orders allowed for 150 M3 Lights and 250 M3 Mediums to be allocated to Australia in mid 1941, and in August 1941 deliveries of 46 tanks had been authorised. However, 36 of these were diverted to an allocation for Russia, leaving 10 M3 Lights to be delivered by the end of 1941. Deliveries increased during 1942 and by the middle of 1943, and the total number of Stuarts eventually to be held in Australia amounted to around 370 vehicles, of which some 50 were diesel engined.

The types of Stuarts received were varied, and were in different build states. Whilst the tanks were generally supplied direct from the United States under lend-Lease arrangements, a small number were supplied direct from the United Kingdom and at least one shipment was “Refugee Cargo”, indicating that a shipment bound for a destination other than Australia was diverted to this country when the original destination was overrun by the Japanese. The earliest tanks to arrive were M3s with octagonal, welded turrets and the high commander’s cupola. Subsequently, the rounded “horseshoe” turret with high commander’s cupola made its appearance. Both these types were designated Stuart I in British service, and generally these designations were used. The M3 Diesel was also received, in small numbers as previously described. Its designation was Stuart II. The introduction into production of the newer rounded turret with a flat top and two hatches, and with a turret basket, was known as the M3A1 or Stuart III. To complicate matters, these turrets were also fitted to M3s without a turret basket, whence they were known as Stuart Hybrids. Australian documentation listing local modifications also uses the designations Stuart Hybrid I & II, indicating that some diesel engined versions may have existed in Australia.

A C Squadron M3 assisting a B Squadron M3 from a bog. Note the turret protector ring, spare track link stowage, and grousers fitted to the front vehicle. The AA MG mount is fitted to the turret.

The period from late 1941 until late 1942 was one of considerable changes in fortune for the Allies, and in Australia there was great confusion over deliveries allocated and deliveries received, coupled with the fact that ships carrying refugee cargo arrived at undesignated ports and with cargoes unknown to local authorities until unloading and sorting took place. Official records therefore at best can only provide a part picture, and in Australian service the Stuarts were usually only divided into M3 Light Tank (petrol) and M3 Light Tank (diesel).

What is for sure is that Australia followed the British lead in trying to improve the “fightablility” of these tanks, and large numbers of modifications, generally in accordance with British practice, were authorised for the vehicles received. Some of the 43 modifications listed in early 1942 were as follows:

Fit periscope to Commander’s Cupola
Fit stop to Cupola Lid and weld up 4 vision slots
Remove Sponson machine guns and fit blanking plates
Fit modified engine air intake
Fit stowage bins and equipment boxes
Fit turret base ring protectors

Not all tanks were eventually fitted with all modifications, and variations existed within regiments and even squadrons.

Background to the Buna, Gona and Sanananda Battles

In the second half of 1942, the Australian forces in New Guinea had stopped the Japanese advance on Port Moresby, and had pushed them back over the Kokoda Track. This had been a brutal and difficult fight, with men and supplies having to be brought over the single jungle track in mountainous terrain. Sickness, disease and malnutrition had effect on both sides. In September, the Japanese landings at Milne Bay had been decisively defeated.

A burnt out M3 Stuart with rounded horseshoe turret, carrying the markings of 10 Troop C Squadron. The tank has bellied on a log, and the rubber track blocks are completely burnt away. Possibly Lieutenant Curtiss’s tank, hull number 2033

The Japanese had fallen back to the northern area around Cape Endaiadere, Buna, Gona and Sanananda. Here, substantial defence works were undertaken, with bunkers dug in at ground level, swamps and dense jungle providing impassable areas for assault troops, and aerial observation being virtually impossible due to the tree canopy.

In September 1942, it was decided that tanks were needed in New Guinea, and the 1st Australian Armoured Division, which had just completed a series of exercises in the north west of New South Wales, was tasked to provide that support. The original choice was the 2/5th Australian Armoured Regiment, but they were equipped with M3 Medium Tanks. These AFVs were to heavy for any transport then available in New Guinea, so the choice fell on the 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment, who were fully equipped with M3 Light Tanks. Initially A Squadron was deployed to New Guinea, and arrived in Port Moresby on 25th September 1942, where they were given three tasks:

Airfield Defence
Mobile Reserve
Defence of Bootless Bay and Borio Areas against enemy landings

Shortly after, the remainder of the regiment moved to New Guinea. The regimental headquarters and C Squadron moved to Port Moresby, and B Squadron moved direct to Milne Bay.

A rear view of the tank pictured above. The rear has not burned as much, and some track links are intact and are fitted with grousers. Note the open stowage boxes and the sign of the 1st Australian Armoured Division.

The threat to Port Moresby had lessened by this time and the Regiment trained for operations as well as having troops employed as stretcher bearers unloading wounded men from aircraft, working as despatchers in air resupply aircraft and labouring on the wharves or making roads.

Actions at Buna and Sanananda

Attempts to dislodge the Japanese at Buna defied the efforts of Australian and US troops, and following a debacle where infantry machine gun carriers were used as tanks and were shot to pieces, it was decided that the tanks would get their chance to be used. Four tanks of C Squadron had already been shipped to Oro Bay, and were offloaded onto lighters which were then towed by launch to Hariko. This was done at night as the Japanese still had air parity at least. The tanks landed at Hariko and were moved along the beach at low tide, with low flying aircraft drowning the noise and the incoming tides removing traces of their tracks. Four tanks from B Squadron were also moved up from Milne Bay, and these eight tanks constituted a composite X Squadron under the command of Captain Norm Whitehead.

A Stuart at Sanananda. This is believed to be Sergeant Mc Gregor’s tank which was burnt out by a Molotov cocktail.

The attack on 18th December 1942 would be led by the 2/9th Australian Infantry Battalion supported by 7 tanks. The US 128th Regiment, the 2/10th Australian Infantry Battalion with one tank would comprise the reserve. The 2/9th battalion would attack with three companies forward. Three B Squadron tanks commanded by Lieutenant McCrohon, Sergeant Jack Lattimore and Corporal Evan Barnett would support the right flank company. The centre company had three tanks commanded by Lieutenant Curtiss, Sergeant John Church and Corporal Cambridge. The seventh tank was commanded by Corporal Tom Byrnes and had Captain Whitehead on board. This tank was to the rear of the two troops of forward tanks and was to act as the control tank.

After crossing the start line at 0700 hours, the tanks moved at an infantry pace, with the infantry moving beside or close behind. This work was not what the Stuarts were designed for and continuous slipping of clutches and low engine revs caused the drivers much trouble. Where the tanks encountered Japanese bunkers, these were attacked by the tanks at point blank range and finished off by the infantry throwing in grenades. The left flank company, having no supporting armour, faired badly and suffered many casualties. As Captain Whitehead had left his troop leaders to run their own battle, he was at a loose end until the request for tank support came from the left flank company. Turning west, he came up against three strongpoints. The southern bunker was despatched with five rounds and turning to take on the next, the gunner‘s sights fogged over. Whitehead had his face pressed against one of the turret vision slits when a Japanese soldier leaped onto the tank and fired his rifle against the slit. Severely wounded by shrapnel from the armour and the bullet, Whitehead fell into the tank. As the tank turned to evacuate him, the gunner fired a 37mm round at another Japanese firing from behind a tree.

Sergeant Lattimore’s tank on the dock in Sydney in 1971 before being transferred to the USA. Note the damage to the co-drivers hatch.

The Regiment’s Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Ralph Hodgson, took over the tank after Whitehead was removed. Returning to the battle, he was true to his teaching during training, and had his head out of the commander’s cupola to better see the battlefield. In any case the vision slits had been earlier damaged and were useless. Unfortunately, a machine gun burst on the vehicle wounded him, and so by 1000 hours both the Regimental and Squadron commanders were casualties.

Back on the right flank, Lattimore’s tank had bellied on a coconut log. Responding to a call, Corporal Barnett moved to Lattimore’s position but had run out of ammunition. Moving quickly to the rear (only a matter of 500 yards) and Barnett replenished and returned. The Japanese started to light fires under Lattimore’s tank, and so Barnett’s gunner machine gunned them off. The crew were saved. In the centre, Lieutenant Curtiss’s tank bellied on a stump and again the Japanese tried to burn them alive. Under cover of infantry small arms fire, Curtiss and his crew escaped, but the tank burned out. Corporal Byrnes’s tank was hit by a magnetic mine and destroyed.

The tank which now rests at the Australian War Memorial in Canberra being recovered in 1971, using a dozer to move it onto an Army landing craft.

In a gallant final effort, the infantry formed up at 1400 with several of the tanks and began a final assault. Using very pistols to indicate targets to the tank crews, the infantry moved forward, and the reserve platoon used Bren Guns to sweep the tree tops. The attack succeeded, and the Japanese broke, leaving their bunkers only to be gunned down by the Australians. It took another six days to reach the ultimate objective, Sinemi Creek, which was only 2500 yards from the start line.

On 24th December 1942, a fresh advance started to the west. Four tanks commanded by Lietenant McCrohon were in support. The Japanese had used antaircraft guns against allied aircraft, but these had not been fired recently. The tanks were advised these guns were well to the south. In the first hour, three tanks fell to three Japanese dual-purpose anti-aircraft guns. Lattimore’s tank was hit in the co-driver’s position, killing him and severely wounding Lattimore. The second tank had its tracks blown off and the third, commanded by Corporal Barnett took a round through the turret, killing the gunner and severely wounding Barnett. The fourth tank slipped into a shell crater.

M3A1 engaged in the Pacific Area. Most tanks employed in the Far-East were light tanks. Transport problems as well as the absence of a serious threat from Japanese tanks explain that.

In the meantime, a further 11 tanks of B Squadron left Milne Bay and were moved to the area. An attack on 29 December was ill-conceived and executed, using only four tanks which had only just arrived in the area. A further attack on 1st January 1943 was more successful and six tanks with three in reserve were used. The infantry however were exhausted, and against strong bunkers the attacks slowed. The actions were very fierce, and one tank had its radio put out of action and was set on fire. The crew remained with the tanks, putting out the fire and fought from the stationary vehicle for five hours.

The final chapter for the 2/6th Armoured Regiment came on 10th January 1943, when thre tanks of Lieutenant’s Heaps troop, plus one reserve, supported the attack of the 2/12th Infantry Battalion at Sanananda. The troop had to advance line ahead along a narrow track, and after some 60 yards the troop leader’s tank was hit by four rounds from an unlocated Japanese anti-tank gun. Both the hull hatches were blown open, and one round penetrated the left sponson. Corporal Broughton’s tank moved forward to cover the damaged vehicle, but received twenty rounds of 37mm fire before one round penetrated and wounded the four crew. The driver, although wounded, managed to extricate the tank and move off with the wounded. The third tank, commanded by Sergeant McGregor moved forward to support the troop leader, but his track was cut by a mine. and then set on fire by a Molotov Cocktail. Both the tank and the four crew were lost. Lieutenant Heap and his crew finally managed to exit the tank, which had been rendered unserviceable by the crew, and they withdrew to safety.

This finished the involvement of the 2/6th Australian Armoured Regiment in the jungle battles. They had proven that armour was an essential factor for the fight against the Japanese, and although they were equipped with unsuitable vehicles, had achieved results out of all proportion to their numbers.

The final words for the Regiment were spoken by Major General Ronald Hopkins, the father of the RAAC:

“It must be recognised that the gallantry and devotion of the officers and men of the 2/6th Armoured Regiment remained the vital factor in the success of their operations.”

The Tanks

The tanks which fought in these actions were all M3 Stuarts, either with octagonal welded, or horseshoe rounded turrets, both types having the high cupolas. All tanks were petrol engined.

Three of the tanks are still, more or less, in existence. The Australian War Memorial possesses one turret and upper hull, one tank less suspension exists at a Museum in New Guinea, and the third most complete vehicle is located at the Admiral Nimitz State Historical Park in Austin, Texas. This vehicle is Sergeant Lattimore’s tank.

At the end of the battles, the LAD Commander, Captain Cyril Diamond, produced a list by tank (hull) number showing the condition of each tank. Of the 27 tanks brought to the Buna – Sanananda area, the following summary is made:

Tanks at Soputa which are OK 8
Tanks at Cape Endiadere which are OK 12
Tanks which can be moved but not suitable for fighting 1
Tanks from which turrets have been removed 2
Tanks lost at Buna 3
Tanks lost at Sanananda 1

The tanks which had their turrets removed were used for towing and recovery after the battle, and were known as “bobtails”.

Paul D. Handel

Additional Sources:

www.roberts.ezpublishing.com/rarmory/
www.diggerhistory.info
anzacsteel.hobbyvista.com
www.battlefield.ru/library/lend/
www.armors.org
www.jodyharmon.com
www.lrdg.de
www.rock.sannet.ne.jp
members.terracom.net/~vfwpost
www.thortrains.net/armymen
softland.com.pl
users.swing.be/tanks.tanks/complet
www.wwiivehicles.com

The Stuart in Russia

The M3 "General Stuart" light tank was one of the first American tanks that reached Soviet beaches as the part of Lend-Lease agreement.

M3 "General Stuart" in action. Eastern Front. Autumn 1942.

The M3 was considered as one of the best light tanks of World War II. It had excellent characteristics: the "Continental" engine provided it with 250 h.p., so the 12-ton tank was able to move fast. It was a very maneuverable tank. Unfortunately, from 1942 its 37 mm gun wasn't up to matching war conditions. All attempts to upgrade to a more powerful gun failed because it's turret was too small. The 37 mm gun had an ballistic data equal to the Soviet 45 mm AT-gun.

This vehicle was in production until 1943, when the more modern M5 version has introduced. The M3 "General Stuart" served in Africa, Burma, on islands of the Pacific Ocean, in Europe and become the most popular American light tank: 13,859 units were built, including the 711 tanks with the "Giberson" diesel engine.

During 1942-1943 the Red Army received 1,665 of the M3A1 "General Stuart" tanks. This tank was the equivalent of the Soviet T-60 and T-70 light tanks, but some faults were detected: its' engine was too sensitive to the Russian gas (petrol) quality and the tank silhouette was too tall for a light tank. However it was most produced tank of the World War Two: 22,734 units were built.

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Iraq Homecoming Tips

~ Thanks to our Veterans still serving, at home and abroad. ~ Freepmail to Ragtime Cowgirl | 2/09/04 | FRiend in the USAF

PDN members and fans. We hope you will consider this simple act of patriotism worth passing on or taking up as a project in your own back yard. In summary:

Who They Are: Operation: Stitches Of Love was started by the Mothers of two United States Marines stationed in Iraq.

What They Are Doing: We are gathering 12.5"x12.5" quilt squares from across the country and assembling the largest quilt ever produced. When completed we will take the quilt from state to state and gather even more squares.

Why They Are Doing This: We are building this quilt to rally support for the Coalition Forces in Iraq and to show the service members that they are not forgotten. We want the world to know Nothing will ever break the stitches that bind us together as a country.

Ideas to start a local project:

Obtain enough Red, White and Blue material (cloth) for a 12.5 x 12.5 quilt square.
If you have someone in your family that sews, make it a weekend project and invite neighbors to join you.

Consider this tribute as a project for your civic group, scouts, church or townhall group.

Locate an elementary school with an after school program in your neighborhood or locate an after school program in your neighborhood not attached to a school and ask if you could volunteer one or two afternoons and create some squares with the kids.

Invite some VFW posts to share your project in honor of their post.

Send us webmaster@patriotwatch.com for digital photos of in progress and finished project for various websites, OIFII.com and the media.

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The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul

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FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!

It's TreadHead Tuesday!

Good Morning Everyone

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

Good M orning Snippy.

Tanks! LOL. Good night Sam. Try not to think about Major Winters with a British accent. :-)

Try not to think about Major Winters with a British accent.

It just sounds sooooo wrong!!

He's one heck of an actor! They were all good.

Yeah he played Winters great. Best character in the series.

Good morning to all at the Foxhole!

To all our military men and women, past and present, and to our allies who stand with us,
THANK YOU!

New Guinea in 1942, the north coast - "Cape Endaiadere, Buna, Gona and Sanananda" - were very hard. The local National Guard lads here in Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula were made into an Army division, the 32nd Infantry, and got into it early. First US Army division to see combat, as I recall.

No artillery, no tanks, no motorized transport, just your feet and a rifle. Food was bad and starvation rations besides. I met some of those guys, all gone now. Pretty tough bunch.

The "Honey" was very popular with British crews in the desert in 1941. Fast and fun to drive in the peacetime way, and with an adequate gun and fair to OK armor for the day.

Looked at one owned by a collector. Amazingly small. He drove it over a scrapped car, and had to be careful not to turn the thing over. The car hardly crushed at all, about 50%. Armor seemed to be just over an inch frontally. The Russian 14.5 mm anti-tank rifles (an actual shoulder fired weapon, carried with ammunition by one man, and used by about one man in eight) would have made swiss cheese out of a Stuart. They made swiss cheese out of a bunch of PanzerKampfWagen IIIs too.

Stuarts are still soldering on in Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Ecuador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, Paraguay, and Uruguay. Haiti also. This is in accordance with my Jane's 1983.

Looked at one owned by a collector. Amazingly small.

At 6'4" I would not have been a Stuart driver.

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Freeper Foxhole.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. —Proverbs 3:5

My Lord is ever with me
Along life's busy way;
I'll trust in Him completely
For guidance day by day.

To avoid going wrong, follow God's leading.

What? No mention of the Haunted Tank? ;-)

Walt

Morning, all. We flyboys love Target...er...Treadhead Tuesday.

Good morning ladies!

Morning Radu. Some words of Wisdom from President Truman.

Morning Iris7.

A Good book on the Stuart in British use in North Africa is "Brazen Chariots". I've read that the early Stuart had a bad habit of throwing tracks.

New Guinea was some of the worst terrain to have to fight through and doing it on a shoestring supply line made it even worse.