M5 Stuart with 75mm howitzer. (1 Viewer)

[steel wheels]

I just purchased a new book on the 761st tank battalion, and one particular photo grabbed my attention. It was a column of M5 Stuarts armed with a short barrel 75mm howitzer, firing along a roadside. Does anyone know about the history of this Stuart variation? I think it would make a great model tank for K&C or Figarti to do.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Was it this guy??


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:M8GMC-Saumur.0004z89h67.jpg

i would have to imagine that if they saw action, it was very late in the war.

My Tank book doesn't mention it.

 

[sceic2]

The M8 saw lots of action. http://www.wwiivehicles.com/usa/self-propelled-guns/m8.asp

 

[steel wheels]

The photo on page 210 shows 3 Stuart's armed with 75mm howitzer's supporting the 442nd Regimental combat team, as they advanced up MT Belvedere. The tanks belonged to the 758th Tank Battalion, which was another African American tank unit. The action was phtographed in Italy April of 1945. This is the first time that I have ever seen the Stuart upgunned. The book is called The 761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion in World War ll, by Joe Wilson,Jr. His dad Joe Wison Sr, served in the 761st. It is a great book.

 

[steel wheels]

Yes Michael, the pictures you posted of the M8 are the tanks in the photo. Basically they were built on M5 Stuart chassis. Nice little light tank howitzer, that doesn't get alot of airtime in the history books.

 

[sceic2]

It would be great to see K&C make one for the Italian campaign. But, if we can't have an M8, how about a DRAGON WAGON AND A BEDFORD LORRY.
My regular weekly posting. I feel much better now. But in about a week, unless someone makes a DRAGON WAGON AND A BEDFORD LORRY, I will just have to find a way to post the request again. I hope this does not become a long tradition.

 

[Harrytheheid]

It would be great to see K&C make one for the Italian campaign. But, if we can't have an M8, how about a DRAGON WAGON AND A BEDFORD LORRY.
My regular weekly posting. I feel much better now. But in about a week, unless someone makes a DRAGON WAGON AND A BEDFORD LORRY, I will just have to find a way to post the request again. I hope this does not become a long tradition.

hE+LLO! YeEsSS, a DRagggoN waGgON and a bedFOrd TRUck would LOOK AW$&ome ) iN MY coLLECT-CHUN alonnng WIt^h mY 1/23 SKaLE TIGER TANKS thAT i goT FRUM HonG KuNG.
an ANd SUM EXcITED $3 .. * SPAN NISH tROOPS to FIGHT agAinst mY )* CAMELS in the DESERT!!!
anD ANDY &. £ dont Fogettt WE NEED moRE PANZER IVs and a tuNisiaN TIGER TANK wood BE GOOd two.... and A SEXTON
IN my knowledgable oPinion......Whut's a dR£aaGGGon WAggun anyWay ????
CHEERIO

 

[Harrytheheid]

Whoops,
Too many recreational drugs with my cornflakes this morning.
Cheers
H

 

[binder001]

1) Yes, it was "75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8" in Army nomenclature.

2) It was designed for the "assault gun" role in US armored units. In the 1943-pattern armored units, each tank battalion and each armored infantry battalion were authorized an Assault Gun Platoon of three SP 75mm howitzers - the M8. Each 1943-pattern Mechanized Cavalry Squadron had an Assault Gun Troop with six M8 HMCs (not to be confused with the M8 Armored Car in the same units). The first SP pack howitzer development, the T30 was the 75mm pack howitzer on an M3 halftrack and saw service in North Africa, Sicily and early in Italy. It was not satisfactory and was replaced as soon as the M8 was available. As noted the M8 was adapted from the M5/M5A1 light tanks, with a new front plate, new turret and interior changes. The M8 served through the war with the cavalry and many armored infantry units, but was replaced in the tank battalions and some armored infantry units by the M4 or M4A3 medium tanks that mounted 105mm howitzers. The tank battalions also received one additional Sherman with howitzer per medium tank company giving a battalion total of six assault guns, and some commanders used all six together as one battery.

I don't think the British wanted the M8 HMC, nor did the Russians, but the Free French used them also (the Free French armor units were organized like US 1943-pattern armored divisions).

M8s did see some service with Army units in the Pacific, and the turret was modified and used on the LVT(A)4 Amtank.

3) The only models of the M8 that I am aware of are the old and very mediocre offering in plastic in 1/35th scale from Tamiya, a beautiful, but expensive resin kit from Tank Workshop, also in 1/35th and the H-O scale resin M8 from Heisers' Models.


Gary B.