Throughout the evolution of the track-wheeled vehicle during peace and wartime, there was one vehicle that combined the effectiveness of a large truck and a fully track-wheeled vehicle. The Half-Track was widely used during World War II on both sides of the lines. The Half-Track was highly versatile, making it the premier selection for the United States Army for nearly every function throughout the wars. There have been hundreds of uses of the Half-Track, including supply movement, crew movement, and anti-air protection. The effectiveness of the Half-Track as an all-purpose vehicle can be broken down into several areas. However, making the Half-Track into an Anti-air protection (Air Defense Artillery), was a pivotal changing point in the …show more content…
There were multiple variations and uses throughout the entirety of the war. To be considered a Half-Track, the vehicles were required to have wheels in the front and tank tracks in the rear. The American-used Half-Tracks were some of the fastest Half-Tracks in World War II, reaching speeds up to 47mph. The shorter tracks on the rear helped reach higher speeds and drove and handle more like a truck. The German Half-Tracks had a longer rear track that allowed them to operate and handle more similarly to their counterpart, the Panzer tank (Britannica 2017). Half-Tracks have many different variations of war fighting vehicles. In World War II there was a total of 41,000 M3s built for War, and another 2,000 M5s were built by International Harvester. The M3 had multiple variants and capabilities, from troop carriers to self-propelled guns (M3 Half-Track). The Half-Tracks that were used as personal carriers could carry a crew of up to twelve soldiers. The battle-ready Half-Tracks usually weighed over 9 tons, and had a fuel range of about 175 miles. Most Half-Tracks would have a roller wheel off of the front bumper that would be used to move across and to prevent them from becoming stuck in the impassable trenches. The Half-Tracks used for Air Defense included the M13, M14, M15, M16, and the M17. All of the variants were on the M2, M3, or the M5 Half-Track chassis. Variations of the Half-Track up to the M15 only had duel mounted .50 caliber machine guns. The M16 and M17 had four .50 caliber anti-aircraft machine guns. The Quad Mount .50 caliber machine gun, nicknamed the Meat Chopper, was mounted on the back of the M16 Half-Track. When the Half-Track was not being used as an anti-aircraft weapon, it would be utilized for destroying sniper positions, thusly earning the nickname Meat Chopper. When units were pinned down by enemy sniper fire, the Quad Mounted .50 caliber machine gun would be
This includes: tanks, aircraft and artilleries. This is how the campaign of Kokoda track was fought. The popular large formation sweeping the emeries aside with heroic bayonet charges was far from now it was for the average
During World War II (WWII) there were several field artillery units that played pivotal roles to help turn the tides of the conflict and ensure victory for the Allied Forces. Some of these units still survive today and others are forever remembered in the prestigious history of the King of Battle. Some of these units include the 977th FA, BN; the 3rd BN, 13th FA; the 2nd BN, 18th FA; and the 9th Armored Division. There were a lot of key factors that came into play during World War 2 for the 977th Field Artillery Battalion “BN”. I will provide you with a little history or background on this unit so that you have a better understanding of the things they accomplished.
During World War II, the United States Army Air Corps made many advancements making it possible to better protect the troops and bring them home. Not only were there many improvements in aircraft technology, but there also began to be changes in society’s views on African Americans in the military. The increase of aviation technology that developed during this World War was a defining characteristic of the outcome of the war. Each country fought for control of the air to gain the advantage over the opposing side. Aviation and improved aircraft were crucial to the strategies and developments that took place.
The US Model 1816 Musket was a .69 caliber weapon that were very effective for hitting targets around 100 yards away. This musket was not a reliable gun but it was still used often in the war. When the war began there was a shortage of firearms on both
M4 Sherman Designed after the defeat of the french army the United States engineers this tank transforms into a bulldozer tank but by far this was not the best tank in WW2. M4A4 Sherman
The two large wheels attached to a field carriage allowed commanders to position a gun in the field. Gunnery crews fired one of three types of ammunition. The solid ball was primarily used to destroy forts, while both grapeshot and canister shot were used as anti-personnel weapons. The garrison cannon is intended to be more permanently position, distinguished by the four small wheels attached to a bulky garrison carriage. The small cast iron wheels allow for limited mobility of the piece within a fort.
The American’s lighter artillery cannons, which were used as their primary weapon system, was the Bronze six ponder. The Bronze six pounder weighed 880 pounds and had a range of fifteen hundred yards. Using horses to transport the cannons, ammunition and the crew from the cannon, the United States also had the innovation of 18-pound cannons called the Flying Artillery, which was mounted on a light carriage and was moved by horses and accompanied with its crew, giving the U.S. a tactical advantage since it was easily
Some of the most advanced and most common howitzers that you would have seen used in this battle were the M1857 12 pound light gun-howitzer, 3in Ordnance Rifle, and 20 pound Parrott Rifle. The M1857 12 pound was also known as the Napoleon as this famous gun was French-developed under Emperor Napoleon III in 1856(Downey, 1996). There were more of these pieces on the Campaign than any other type (Downey, 1996). The tube of this Howitzer was constructed of bronze and implemented a smooth bore. It weighed 2355 pounds and had a range of 1619 yards with a 12 pound round.
Artillery units assisted in as much as they could including battalions and other companies. Air defense Artillery sections helped defend armor, field artillery, infantry units, and airfields. Weapons were used to fire directly and indirectly, as they were designed to be used for air defense missions. The weapons made and used were the M163 Vulcan, M42A1 Skysweeper, and MIM23 Hawk, meanwhile these
However, motors were often taken from old tractor or other vehicle and were proved unreliable. Still, tanks made trench warfare more manageable and saved many soldiers’ lives during the crossing of no-man’
Many people did not want to work for the railroads. There was much danger associated with this job. The most dangerous job for workers was the brakeman. The Brakeman rode on top of the trains and jumped down pushing a larger wooden stick into the spokes of the wheels to slow it down until it stopped. This was an extremely dangerous job and was stopped once the air brakes were invented.
Shortly following the conclusion of the United States’ conflict in Korea, the American military once again deployed its service members to Eastern Asia to combat and contain the spread of Communism; this time in the form of the Democratic Republic of North Vietnam. While the vast majority of the American populace recalls the Vietnam War as primarily an exercise of ground forces and maneuver, an often-overlooked aspect of the war is the significant contribution to strategy and successful adaptation to threats demonstrated by Air Defense Artillery Soldiers of the era. One of the more proud moments for the Air Defense Artillery Branch was their pivotal role in the Vietnam War. From the branch’s only Medal of Honor winner, to the Duster, and
Track & Field Track and Field looks like a very simple, easy, boring sport to most people but it’s really not. Some people don’t want to join track because “they don’t like running”, what some people don’t think about is the field part of Track and Field. There are many different options when it comes to track and field. Track and field is a very enjoyable sport to most of the members.
THey go on to say “ when not preparing to drop the B-26’s bomb load — operated a .50-caliber machine gun. Three gunners stationed in the rear of the bomber rounded out the crew. Along with being able to hold more weight bombers also were equipped with weapons to defend themselves if they were to come under attack. The bombers most noticeable upgrade was when the U.S dropped the two atomic bombs on Japan, which reached around 10,000 pounds per bomb. In the First World War being able to haul that much weight was only a
The recent technological developments and military operational demands are leading to increasing levels of autonomous weapons systems Autonomous weapons have been used in military operations. There are three categories of autonomous weapons: in the loop, on the loop, or off the loop. We mainly use in the loop and on the loop because they both need humans to operate the machines. However, off the loop is fully autonomous weapons. A fully autonomous weapon is one that can independently detect and attack targets without the need for humans.