The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - U.S. Self Propelled Artillery - Sep. 7th, 2004

www.stardestroyer.net ^ | Michael Wong

[SAMWolf]

M7 HMC (Priest)


M7 Priest

The M7 used the hull and running gear of the M3 Medium Tank. It was called "Priest" because of the pulpit-like structure mounting the 50 cal. AA MG. The lower hull and running gear of the M3 Tank was used, with a raised open top superstructure added. Into this was mounted the 105mm howitzer with its split carriage. In an attempt to lower the height, the gun elevation was restricted to +35°, a handicap in mountainous terrain. This was not corrected until the Korean War when a full +65° elevation was obtained. This modification was designated the M7B2. The M7B1 designation was used for the model which utilized the Sherman M4 chassis. First deployed at El Alamein by the British who received large numbers under Lend Lease. The M7 was a mobile and reliable vehicle and was used until the end of the war. One negative was its weight. A total of 3,490 were built.

M7B1 HMC (Priest)

M7B1 Priest

This later version of the "Priest" had the 105mm howitzer mounted on a M4A3 Sherman chassis. Later versions which had a full elevation of +65° were designated M7B2 and were used in Korea. The M7B1 was standardized September 1943. This model could be fitted for deep wading. M7s had a 3-piece bolted nose, while most M7B1s and M7B2s had a cast one-piece nose. There was no gun overhand on this model. The howitzer had manual traverse and elevation and fired the same ammunition as the towed version.

M8 HMC

M8 HMC

A 75mm pack howitzer was mounted in an open-top turret with 360° traverse onto the turret ring of the M5 Light Tank. It was widely used in Europe and the Pacific. Used as a close support vehicle by Headquarters Co. attached to armored battalions. Had a poor capacity for ammo; therefore, it sometimes towed an ammo trailer. Crew protection was minimal. A total of 1,778 were built. Saw action to the end of WWII.

M12 GMC

M12 GMC

This was one of the earliest SP weapons of WWII. It mounted a 155mm gun on the M3 Tank chassis. The engine was moved forward to provide a working space at the rear of the hull. In this space, the WWI Model M1917 or M1918 155mm gun was mounted. The rear of the hull carried a heavy spade which was lowered to the ground before firing to absorb recoil. About 100 M12s were built and put into storage. In 1943, with the invasion of Europe being planned, 74 were refurbished and put into service. It proved to be a powerful and effective weapon providing support to fast moving armored columns. It could demolish German tanks and was greatly feared by the enemy. It could be used in a direct fire support role. When the 155mm rounds were fitted with concrete piercing fuses, they could penetrate up to 6 feet of concrete before exploding. The Artillery Board asked for more but this was not possible since the supply of WWI 155mm guns was exhausted.

M37 HMC

M37 HMC

The M7 was overweight. In order to develop a lighter, faster vehicle, the 105mm howitzer was placed on the M24 (Chaffee) chassis. This was the same howitzer used in the Sherman M4 (105). The general lines of the vehicle were similar to the M7 even to the "Pulpit" for the 50 cal. MG. The vehicle was shorter and wider allowing for more working space and ammo storage. Elevation was +45° allowing for maximum range. Standardized in 1945, replacing the M7. A total of 316 were built. Did not see combat in WWII.

M40 GMC (Long Tom)

M40 GMC

After WWII, a newly designed SP 155mm GMC was required to replace the M12. Two pilot models were made using the latest Sherman M4 chassis with HVSS suspension, a wide 23" track carrying the powerful M1A1 155mm gun on a pedestal mount. The gun was interchangeable with the 8" howitzer. A heavy spade was attached to the rear to absorb recoil. Although crew protection was minimal, it proved to be an excellent weapon. It was known by the nickname "Long Tom" and was standardized as the M40 in 1945. It arrived in Europe at the end of WWII and participated in the bombardment of Cologne. It remained in service after WWII and served in the U.S. artillery in Korea and by the French in Indochina. A total of 311 were built.

M41 HMC (Gorilla)

M41 HMC

In 1943, it was proposed to develop a SP 155mm howitzer. The chassis of the M24 Light Tank was used as part of the "combat team" approach adopted in 1944. The chassis was already developed for the M19 SP 40mm guns, the M41 howitzer 155mm and the M37 howitzer 105mm. The howitzer was placed on a pedestal in the rear surrounded by a thin shield. A heavy recoil spade was added to the rear. It was a good design, agile and simple to operate but offered little protection to the crew from the elements or enemy fire. A total of about 85 were built. It saw service in Korea.

M43 8" HMC

M43 8" HMC

The M1 155mm gun (towed) shared its carriage with the 8" howitzer. The barrels could be changed quite easily. Therefore, when the M40 SP 155mm gun was developed, it was logical to mount an 8" howitzer on the same carriage. In 1945, a design was standardized as the M43. Only 48 were built of which 24 were conversions of the T83's 155mm. The components of the M4 tank were used with HVSS suspension. There was a shield for the gun, but no cover was provided for the crew. They remained in service until the 1950s, being used in Korea.

T-92 240mm SP Howitzer & T-93 8" GMC

T-92 240mm SP Howitzer

These were the heaviest SP guns built in the U.S. The chassis for these monsters was from the M26E3 Pershing Heavy Tank. The 240mm MI howitzer was still in inventory as a towed weapon. Despite its large size and weight, the 240mm howitzer was adaptable to a motorized mount.


T-93 8" GMC

The same chassis was used for either the 8" gun (T-93) or the 240mm M1 howitzer (T92)which were interchangeable. The 240mm howitzer fired a 360 lb projectile 14 miles. All loading was done by manpower with a rate of I round/3 minutes. Ammunition was separate loading. A hydro pneumatic recoil and equilibrator system softened the recoil. An immense cable operated rear spade was mounted to help absorb recoil shock. No ammo was carried aboard. It relied on a T31 cargo carrier to do the job. A 23" wide track was used and 7 road wheels were suspended by torsion bars. The objective was to provide mobile heavy artillery for the invasion of Japan. With the end of the war, a contract for 115 T-92s and 58 T-93s was cancelled and only 5 T-92s and 2 T-93s were built by Chrysler.

[SAMWolf]

M44 SP 155mm Howitzer


M44 SP 155mm Howitzer

This SP howitzer replaced the M41 155mm SP howitzer. It had all welded construction. Transmission is a GM Allison cross drive. Development began in concert with the development of the M41 Walker Bulldog Tank. A major change placed the rear track idler wheel on the ground to provide support against shock. A rear spade was added. Engine and transmission were moved up front and a fighting compartment was erected on the rear hull with an open roof and a bow and tarp removable cover. The rear was closed by swinging cartridge racks which acted as doors and a working platform. It can fire an HE projectile weighing 43.88kg to a distance of 14,600 meters with an M4A1 charge. Rate of fire is about 1 round/minute. The later variant, M44A1, used a fuel injected engine. A total of 608 were built. Last of SP Artillery with an open top compartment.

M52 105mm SP Light Howitzer


M52 105mm SP Light Howitzer

The M7 and M37 were both open topped vehicles and in the "atomic age". It was decided the vehicles should have protection against nuclear blast. Work began in 1948. The first model was equipped with the 105mm howitzer. The components of the M41 Light Tank were used. The rear track idler was placed on the ground to better resist firing shock, since no recoil spade was used. The engine and transmission were moved to the front of the hull. The rear of the hull supported a large turret which could transverse 60 degrees either side of center. Elevation and traverse were manual. The crew and driver were in the turret. Hatches were provided in the roof. A total of 684 were built. Also in service with Belgium, Greece, Japan and Jordan.

M53 (T-97) 155mm SP Gun


M53 (T-97) 155mm SP Gun

"If it's going to be better, it must be bigger " — appeared to be the concept behind the new generation of Army large bore weapons in the 1950s. The T-97 standardized as the M53 in 1952 was one of the largest and heaviest vehicles fielded in the post-war period. Weighing almost 100,0001bs. combat loaded, it was over 32 feet long. An 8" howitzer version was prepared on the same chassis which shared many components with the M48 Medium Tank. The last road wheel served as a trailing idler. Torsion bar suspension was used. The driver sat in the left front of the fighting compartment while the commander's hatch and 0.50"MG were on the right side. A GM AIlison cross drive transmission was used. Hydraulic power moved the gun in elevation and the entire cab in azimuth + or -30 degrees of center. There were many changes throughout the production span of 1952 until 1953.

M55 8" SP Howitzer


M55 8" SP Howitzer

This 8" howitzer shared components and mount with the M53 155mm gun. It was more reliable than the M55 because of less stress on firing. Hence, all M53s were converted to M55 8" howitzers by rebarrelling. This was completed by 1960. This was a scaled up M52, another all-protected design. The gun crew and driver were carried in a massive turret capable of swinging plus & minus 30° of center. A massive rear recoil spade was fitted; and power operation of the gun, ramming and shell handling were provided. Ammunition is separate loading. It can fire a HE shell to a range of 16,916 meters.

M107 175mm Self-Propelled Gun
&
M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer


M107 175mm Self-Propelled Gun

These weapons were mounted on the same gun carriage but used different tubes. The M-107 175mm Gun fired a 174-pound projectile out to almost 33 kilometers (32,700-meters) and proved of great value in providing an umbrella of protection over a wide area. The M107 175mm self-propelled Gun was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Designed to be part of a common family of weapons utilising the same chassis components, the M107 and M110 were essentially the same vehicle mounting different barrels. These guns fired an HE shell weighing 66.6 kilograms at a muzzle velocity of 914 meters per second. The M107 was used extensively in Vietnam to provide long range firesupport (being able to fire more than 30 km) and took part in numerous cross-DMZ duels with NVA guns. Though withdrawn from American service, vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries.


M110 8-inch Self-Propelled Howitzer

The M-110 8-inch Howitzer fired a 200-pound projectile out to almost 17 kilometers (16,800-meters) and was the most accurate weapon in the field artillery.

Since the weapons had an identical gun carriage it was common practice to install the tubes best suited to the current tactical mission, so that one day a battery may be all 175mm Guns and a few days later it may be half 175mm and half 8-inch.

M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer


M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer

The M108 105mm Self-Propelled Howitzer was largely deployed in NATO areas and its ammunition was commonly used throughout NATO forces. Vehicles of this type remain in service in the militaries of some other countries, although it has been withdrawn from service in the US military. The M108 was being phased out of the US Army at the time of Vietnam because its gun was considered too light for battlefield support and 155mm calibre had been standardised in NATO.

Additional Sources:

www.battletanks.com
www.gruntonline.com
www.fas.org
www.interet-general.info
www.panzerbaer.de
worldwar2.free.fr
www103.sakura.ne.jp
www.clandavidsonusa.com
afvdb.50megs.com
ww2photo.mimerswell.com
www.4regtra-reunion.org.uk
fmj.pe.kr
www.globalsecurity.org
www.rellitechnology.com
www.landscaper.net

[SAMWolf]

'God fights on the side with the best artillery.'

Napoleon Bonaparte

'I do not have to tell you who won the war. You know, the artillery did.'

Gen George S. Patton

'"Our artillery . . . The Germans feared it almost more than anything we had."'

Ernie Pyle
"Brave Men", 1944

'Artillery is the god of war. '

Stalin

[SAMWolf]

John Kerry told the world we were war criminals who raped, tortured and murdered in Vietnam. Now, thirty-three years later, we will tell America the truth.

Join us at the rally we call:

What: A peaceful remembrance of those with whom we served in Vietnam - those who lived and those who died.
We will tell the story of their virtues and how that contrasts with the lies told by John Kerry.

When: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT

Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC

All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend. Other veterans are invited as honored guests. This will be a peaceful event--no shouting or contact with others with different opinions. We fought for their rights then, and we respect their rights now. This is NOT a Republican or a pro-Bush rally. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike are warmly invited.

Our gathering is to remember those with whom we served, thereby giving the lie to John Kerry's smear against a generation of fine young men. B.G. "Jug" Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor," will be one of our speakers. Jug has debunked countless impostors who falsely claimed to be Vietnam veterans or who falsely claimed awards for heroism. Jug recommends that we refrain from dragging fatigues out of mothballs. Dress like America, like you do every day. Dress code: business casual, nice slacks, and shirt and shoes. No uniform remnants, please. Unit hats OK.

Selected members will wear badges identifying them as authorized to speak to the media about our event. Others who speak to the media will speak only for themselves.

The program will be controlled in an attempt to stay on-message. Speakers are encouraged not to engage in speculative criticism of John Kerry but (1) to stick to known and undisputed facts about John Kerry’s lies while (2) reminding America of the true honor and courage of our brothers in battle in Vietnam.

Send this announcement to 10 or more of your brothers! Bring them by car, bus, train or plane! Make this event one of pride in America, an event you would be proud to have your mother or your children attend.

Contact: kerrylied.com

---

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

---

Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

---

UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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************I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

For the actual 'ping', I took the liberty of taking off those of you who I knew were already on the Foxhole ping list so as not to duplicate on the TreadHead posts.

Cannoneer should be around internet access in a couple weeks.

[A Jovial Cad]

Good morning, snippy. Hope you had a good labor day. Very interesting article. Ft. Sill down in Lawton, Oklahoma has a large field artillery component, much of it self-propelled, I believe. My Senator James Inhofe has been working to get the next generation of self-propelled artillery funded last I heard, a weapons system called The Crusader, I think. But the Army reportedly doesn't want it, so I don't what the status of that is now.
I was able to visit with my Dad today for the first time about scanning in and posting some of my grandfather's pictures from the Pacific Theater during WW II. He was supportive of that, and said I could scan in and post any of them I wanted to. I'm heading over to my parent's house this coming Saturday so I can go through them and select some that might be of interest to the folks here.
There are literally hundreds, and I'll need to winnow the selection down to the most interesting ones. My dad mentioned that some of the photos showing the aftermath of the battle at Shaggy Ridge might be of particular interest, and I know that there are several pics of various downed Japanese aircraft, some taken from the air I believe, that were the victims of the 49th Fighter Group's brave pilots. Also pics of battle aftermath in New Guinea, various islands, and Manila.
Any suggestions or requests for a particular place or battle area that my grandfather might have gotten a picture of? If there are any, I'll look for it in the collection. Thanks - AJC

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning AJC. Be sure and tell your dad thanks when you see him next.

I'm sure any pictures you choose will be just fine. We'd love for you to share any you'd like.

We've covered New Guinea and the Papua Campaign but not Shaggy Ridge specifically. Looks like we'll have to put it on our list of threads to do. :-)

[neverdem]

Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC

Is that the same as upper senate park that I saw in the Vietnam Veterans for Truth website? This is the link:

Kerry Lied

I expect to be going, and I need to figure out parking arrangements. I'll be leaving from NYC with friends hopefully at 0730.

[SAMWolf]

The Crusader self-propelled howitzer was being developed for the US Army as a replacement for the Paladin and the US Army requirement was expected to be for over 800 vehicles. In May 2002, the Crusader program was officially terminated by the Department of Defense because it was not considered sufficiently mobile or precise for the evolving security needs of the 21st century. In August 2002, United Defense received the formal termination which ends all further work on the program. United Defense has been awarded a contract to use technologies developed for the Crusader program to produce a lighter and more deployable Objective Force Cannon or Non-Line-of-Sight (NLOS) cannon. "Objective Force" is the working title for the US Army's long-term future combat force. The NLOS cannon is planned to be fielded in 2009.

Live firing trials of the Crusader began in February 2000 at the Yuma Proving Grounds in Arizona, and in November 2000 a firing rate of 10.4 rounds per minute was achieved. The system successfully completed its Preliminary Design Review (PDR) in November 2001. The first production versions were due in 2006 and it was planned to enter service in 2008. The Crusader programme was being carried out by Team Crusader, led by United Defense.

The Crusader artillery system was intended to provide enhanced survivability, lethality and mobility and be more easily deployable and sustainable than current systems. A battery of six Crusaders can deliver 15t of ammunition in less than 5mins.

United Defense reduced the weight and size of the Crusader vehicle from 60t to 38t to 41t allowing two vehicles rather than one to be transported on a C-5 or C-17 aircraft. This allowed the howitzer to be more easily available for fire support missions.

The Crusader consists of two vehicles, the XM2001 155mm self-propelled howitzer and the XM2002 armoured re-supply vehicle. The high level of automation means that the howitzer and re-supply vehicle each require only three men to operate it. The gunners can control the entire loading and firing process from the safety of the computerised cockpit under armour and nuclear biological and chemical warfare protection. In addition to the current tracked system, the Crusader Armoured Re-supply Vehicle is being offered in a wheeled variant.

[SAMWolf]

I was able to visit with my Dad today for the first time about scanning in and posting some of my grandfather's pictures from the Pacific Theater during WW II. He was supportive of that, and said I could scan in and post any of them I wanted to.

Glad to hear that you'll be able to scan and save you grandfather's pictures. The Papua/New Guinea Campaign isn't all that well known to a lot of people. Maybe you grandfather's pictures will get some people interested in learning more.

[SAMWolf]

Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC Is that the same as upper senate park that I saw in the Vietnam Veterans for Truth website?

Where: Upper Senate Park, Washington, D.C. It is easy to get to, shady and pretty, with a great view of the Capitol dome in back of the speaker's platform. THIS IS A NEW LOCATION AS OF 7/17/04

The location on the KERRYLIED website is corret. Thanks for asking the question, we'll update our Announcement post.

[A Jovial Cad]

Good morning, Sam. Thanks for the info about the Crusader program. I remember the story was BIG NEWS around here because mobile artillery is so important to the mission of Fort Sill; it looks like the program is going ahead in a modified form, which is undoubtedly a good thing. The pictures you posted look very impressive! Of course, as a former Air Force type, I've tended to be more of a fan of "airborne" artillery like the A-10, F-16, and AC-130 "Spectre" Gunship... ;-)
In truth, though, it seems to me that the role of ground artillery will always be an important part of any battlefield mix for the foreseeable future. Especially mobile artillery.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

[SLB]

Good morning.

If you all remember, I have mentioned my father-in-law here on Fr several times. He is a retired LTC, retiring in 1961. His first unit was with horse drawn artillery in the Mississippi National Guard. When he was commissioned, he was FA, but later moved to tank destroyers and then on to Armor. He attended one of the first courses in using tanks as artillery. That is one of his favorite memories and he tells the story often. I will print some of the comments and pictures from this thread and show them to him. He loves to read and see articles and information such as this.

Thanks.

[The Mayor]

September 7, 2004

Mirror Image

Read: 2 Corinthians 3:7-18

We all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image. —2 Corinthians 3:18

Bible In One Year: Proverbs 1-2; 1 Corinthians 16

---

Years ago, an elderly businessman asked me, "What is your biggest problem?"

I pondered this for a while before replying: "When I look in the mirror every morning, I see my biggest problem staring at me."

Today's Scripture reading teaches me that Christians are to be like mirrors. Paul said that our faces are not to be veiled. This is logical. No one installs a mirror and then places a curtain over it. A covered mirror will not fulfill the purpose of reflecting the objects before it.

In 2 Corinthians 3:18, we are described as "beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord." When we behold His glory, we will be "transformed into the same image"—that is, the likeness of Christ.

We may wonder why we are still so far from being like Christ in our thinking and behavior. Perhaps this question will help: "Whose life do we mirror?"

God's people must reflect God's glory. To do that we must make it our habit to behold His glory. We must read and meditate on His Word. We must pray and trust God's Holy Spirit to work in our hearts. Only then can we obey His commands and depend on His promises.

Whose glory are you reflecting today? —Albert Lee

Lord, may our walk and service be
An image bright of things above,
As we reflect the unity
Of Father, Son, and Spirit's love. —Anon.

The face is a mirror of the heart—do people see Jesus in yours?

[GailA]

Good morning

[alfa6]

Arty on the move bump for Treadhead Tuesday.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[manna]

Present!