Stuart (History of the American Light Tank, Vol. 1)

503 Pages·1992·89.74 MB·English

by  R.P. Hunnicutt

STUART

A History of
the American Light Tank

Volume | By R.P. Hunnicutt

STUART

A History of
the American Light Tank

Volune |
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PRESIDIO
CONTENTS

Foroserd 4
Isrodueton «
TART I EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIGHT TANK 7
‘Wocld War = and Festvar Modifiations we ’
New Light Tank Designs... an
Light Laake and Combat Cats ss
PARE Ul LIGHT TANKS FOR WORLD WAX If 1
Preparation fat Wat oe cece ee oe 1s
Light Tank MBAS... anne 1s
Tight Tank M3 Serie. DIU ca
Tight Tank M3 Series. ote cetetsceeees nevi mm
Tight Tank T? Serie Receive fe 199
ight Tanke TB, TH6, and TE Hive, 2

Light Tanks TEE, MD ans TEL TOIL aa
‘Aisborn> Tanks srcees BL

PART II SPECIALIZED LIGHT ARMORFD VRHICLES

Amtibian Tanks and

‘Tank Descyers st
SelPropelled Artillery a
‘Antiancraft Vehicles ur
Flotation and Deep Watee Tending Equipment +0
Recovery an Engiceer Vellcles 368
Flan ‘Those. Vehicles. mm
‘hacked Canien, time Movers, Cor-tand and Reconraissanes: Vohieles 381
PART IV LIGHT TANKS IN ACHION 0... cores 389
Deer Bulles

Bary Opersions Again: the Zepangie

Nocth Aftia, Sie y ane Tely

Nazthowe Bheope ard Ai 6 the Seviet Uain

Diol Offensive
CChise-Burm:-Irein

Viera

Toreign Modi

Coneanion

PART ¥ REFERENCE DATA 455
Colon Seti: 437
Procuvion aid Lenl-Lease Data ast
Wehice Dace Sheets =.» 465,
Weapum Dita Suse. crate 498
Reload Boag ses soci 508

det ss ves eee 500
ACKNOWT.

‘The tesearch fr ht book has estrada 02” tha Fant
‘hit sears parallel with “as sé he mel 346 main
beats rnk devslopm.e. Aa with the eze:s: Books inthis
sete the oo ection af th ats Colonsl Robe Take ws
Aveuasle seus of material, prricully fe: due tacks
Trder tm Nhrk: aur Tl, His callestion is now int ibrezy
(the Prtan Museur: at Fort Keox, Kecrasky Woh Pandy,
‘David Hel, aed Charcs Ter os f the Patou Museum
‘sere percilirly pfu in Lacing kota data and photo
jgiuphs tt tke Museums colleedoa. Some serv of
his book cowl! nan have beem site without
tasitenes. Major Falck Je Cooney and Jon T. Ciemens
Dt Armor Magaz:ze glee wsz> belpfil in abtaning pto-
raps o€ semi of Te ear y ar

Trot woul Lie io anes my thanks to Colonel James
Leach who agreed "9 wtte tke foreont thr this eae
is comments ov hia sary service wilh the M20 and
M3 Hpk uaks were asveme.y useful. De. Noris Perkins
vas tae sours of many prowmgrep=s 0" the ea'y while
is service a aan fcc ur ng Ue [ution a trains
‘ng ofthe S2..nal Auuncted Division provided the basis
{ete exellent book "Rll Again Second Armare This
‘coe andeulsely the nest anures ou is ealy aang
svith 2 M2M uid MB light tane: in the U.S. Ary

Teennia, doaile of the site tank MIO'7 eo Fs pontu-
tion beckgraind came Frm Hayes Otoupalik wos done
tensive “eel wi Oh. vehi > provided the
Shotographs showing ths “en: in production, Male Wisin
Salsa deerined many of tc pec ens Ut lc to be over-
Some aafne the Wis ached preductier. These were
included m his superb Watery ofthe World War 1 Tank
Corps “Tees “Em Rewgh

DGEMENTS

Rey Hamilton and Jacques Litlef 14 tasked down
etal of the M13 and MS Tigh ram: aris to plete Ue
dota sheets om thee veces. Leon Burg of =3> Technical
Library at the Tank Automatics Commané (TACOM)
Toealed mumerous parts onthe drwelapmet pyran dui=
ing World War Ue Ondmawe MUseuzn at Aberdeen
Plawing Ground also vas a ye-uadle senmee ef nforma
tioa, De, Willan Atsctsr, Amand Pramcini, nul Alan
“illingar aril: material eaves 0 C= comapleton of
this book

‘Obla:ning color phorozraphs of te early ligt tasks
precertd slfizll poi. Froe Pecne a the Nationa
Avclives -1 Washington, D.C, wrs estromaly alpful in
Jnceing the eeloe photographs included an th book

Tn Erglane, Deval Ellen and Gecrge Forty 67th Tne
[Museo a ovingtoz. Camp fund merous phi:carapt:
and docur-anis pot ving the Amer Lyht tks [2
Frid servic, Akiicial valuable ifoematon em rer
(Mike Wilss at the Inpecial War Museurr in London

‘As uaa, “he fone view devas wer peya:23 by Ph
Dyer ond the dustjacket glowing was the woe of Uo
Fest, Alan Mil.avand IIMS Typoprarty were « ges he.p
in the final assemiby ofthe tex ana pow capi.

ther ene aur included: BIUBeasley and The: Fre
Aunoied Division Asoeiatcn, lars D. Berry, Henry
‘Gardiner, Lstseert Colonel Blmer iy, Mati Gen
Colne! ED. Aeileag, Colone! GLB, Jarrea. Roach Tes-
se, Donald |, Loughia, Jim Mesio, Brigicer General
Tat MeD. Robinen, Michael Rovers, Brigade: G.
‘Mast and Ria, Willits Wagner, General C2. Whi, 1
feuant Catone. George Wither, Readall W/aew,
Charles Vust, and Seven Zaloga.
FOREWORD

CCofovel Janes M. Leush BSC U.S Army (Retired)

Those asovates and veterans oF “gt nero, so
marines, engireers—desigoet, anc hisodans wil ree
ssthey pore through these pages of Dik livanicut = most

te the hiarical ans af ts Ameri-

His teaimanial to the Stuar: tar: and related ayeterss
5 one of cis most eun-prebensive rnd ficult 0 date,
because of tz wide vartance of combat aid wombat sup
Pst wehictes sidied, devsloped, of Fede since trond
War 1. Thousands of hours of research and study of
hundreds of photographs, cos-mentatvi, draw ings and
inwerviews with many elder and rapsly passing pioneers
inhe endesvr. hus obviously 9207 challenging as.

[My own exposure fo ight tanks Sega ine perl 19
dune 1986 thrgh December 941. T served as BOG-bow
funne, achize yumer ard nk enmmiw=ron the MZA2

Mac West” light sak, which moved uae euiber 59
and two Browning caliser 30 machine guns, My unt, the
Ihre tank Battalion stationed a Bret Bening, Georgia
‘ws equippoe with ese tanks, as vs the Ht Tank Com
amy a1 Schevield Farricks, Hawai, when the Japanese
tacked on 7 Deceraber 10

Nine days tater, the 13a tankers, weequipped with
suapeuver worn M3 ight aks repossessed ‘tom the 2nd
Armored Division, wete on a troop tai headed west 0
San Francisco's Angel Island. The 2c Acmeved Division's
‘nuzarce perenrsl, in omer ineprome the comsit read
fess ofthese anes, ests 4» anerably fine to rplnce
Some of the eagincs and tracks om the Mie,

Realy ler combar se were not! Por sample, we other
oercoemissioned officers ait myself, plus a Prints First
(Css Yolunese from the 2nd Armored Divisio, wee te
foul tankers an eu company sho had eer fied te ek’:
‘ine: gun, mus’ Jess trained om i. Ths stunt fore
‘most in ind, we set up an “om tank" irs.ning pregram
wile onthe selling ums. We meved our eres rer the
flatcars to cur tanks fs a eras Lebaron couse on
the ten and th: 27m gen

‘Ten days oF 90 later, wie our $.8. President Teylor
lowed westward own the Pil opines, Wo rein foree ou
Ser unis the 2nd and the eth Light Tak Bataiers
(athe scuiebutt went). we wene afew et Te the sum
Uns on some of the tanks positioned eu the ships open
kok. Me discovered 1h tur dismay that several of tae 35
would not rem te battery tur secs shot, When she
Ut Mert inta "ces, the gun shtekd dropped just enagh
to bind sie tube, reversing s rete to betisty—and {9
think we vere eure to was. Lae, we en sped the Zoe
inthe gun sisi hur ts wa a> ordnance job. Pechaps
Ged wan wilh a6 rir we weve to land "poecefully” at
Hore‘ulu karbor on 7 January 1843, exactly one ton:

follow:rg che surprise attack, We we:e Ur seinforee the
Hrmatian defense forces alg withthe ith Tank Company.

Subseyuenily,Iessons ofthe Pailpoinc and North Asi=
ean eamparans sey resulted a the ‘oongizai of ou
ight 27k hatslions io medium >atalioss, These
‘quipped wilh Lee M's Sharman uns cemapenies ene one
corepany of ight tacks using M3, 65, oF MA nk. Their
role £5 fighting vehicle was changed 1o that of tecim
nasoance, scout, Mink und wanes poand, econ of
foree and escort where they sade ma or eesti alirs
the success of our world-wide armor operali:,

Former tiers, Army Chief of Stiff Gordon Sullsan
and Colonel Harry Summers both ned he near tragedy
with he cmploy-nento light fant an ig aks dat
ing she Korea: War. isk Boece Smith ofthe 24th [-Fan-
tty Divisio: rushed fiom Japan along witk ight M24
CChafice rks fom the 78 Heavy fin nae aly) Lk al
Ialios and Sie 24h Recomnaissines Cenypeny were 10
match forthe North Kereans equipped wit Russian made
TH tanks. The TM had suecesstuly stood saint the
famous German Punter urn Work’ War T. According
tb Colonel Su=r, the rapid ara four MH Sher
Mf Persvings end M46 Patton, aong with the 3.5 inc,
nttank 1oc80l, sou self tne sation

‘One a the urderving times ct this book highlights the
oin.ag effet andl sidy by our Aras branch board,
‘borateres and indus lism Work War [tothe presont
Their unrelenting goal is, and has bee>, t desiga ui
{develop for xs fare, a8 they impor upon existing eh
<lesand weapon stems for Ue salty and sucecss ofthe

Cerin, che diversity of our inéustrial base fas met
ane continigs 0 soe. Las elullenge. Who would have
dreamed, fer ckar-pey shat che Uoited Shoe Machinery
Corporation would develop and produce Quad-5) aut
aircraft guns, tat the Sandard Oil Development and
CF Bram Companies would tke he (sad in lane tower
deyelupmeni. pr het Firestone would atemnp upgua tie
(MG igh ank tc mouat a Sim howicer, or thar T Walter
Christie, forever -e iowa in combat veces. would
estan gromsman snd never the gree,

Dozens of Fitle known und ay unknown compan
priced ina ytd of programs in thew overall it
to gi our oops the heat sfster's cure tesa eau
deliver, They stil do.

Im (is publication, Dick Ieanieutt once again has
sexzuableda superb back is rhe user, despre, develope,
prosuce=and historian cas use vou contin effoe 19

por st
pau ee wha act [nt
‘Artzored Forzes—the Combined Aras Te
INTRO

ian tanks go ina hale ere
"eu Tak
asl George 8.

‘Renault Mla17, ines the Uniter Size Avuyy at net imo
fac ne mink oft wan, AU bor:>. a cas” program Was
nls ay W produce an Amrssican wees othe Rewault
Bowever Ine ae oF prparedness x Uwe United States
aolayee the progrsct and nea
and hustlites, esp a musshee expeneitor
and mienzy, Adie 749 ur O52 of the American Fur
RonacTes were cnapleted aad designated first as the six-
fon seta. tractor en Tater as the cv eo tank MIS, Tk
ont sued to acewe inthe Tia Stas yan the mid
128s,
The objective af le volume it trae he develop
1 hig of ths Areca ight nk foe: the pric
flan and saaiiacion ofthe Prench Renault un the end
forWerle War I) The greatest mph ig aw the wat
Ececlopment ofthe M3, Ma, ad Mt seckes of gt anks
Sinlihe oe vehicles using Ubes> chasse. Se cowerws
“ncliged on oer maifssriame and sevice oF

2rHON

lhe veces ceveloped during Wel Whe TL. Tn aditon,
thedevelopmor” nf he Mri wu cir carviage N18 and
iis enrrisccaives is dscribed, Although the MIR wns
neta [ult sack, ited many of fhe sme cauactess
and sect: anprerriate [or ilusion ir this volume, T=
seme irascencion alge apphes to some ofthe cee tnd
ing, selivles. Te portelar, Tho ENT(AIC) an the
LVTIAY‘2) were clawed ly the United Sites Ary as
sr bn tubs deep thei ettemely Hah ara: Thas
"iy ae also incloded

Soren he vei aude o proves acempists com
but history of these vehicles, Sez actions 1m bricity
ascribed to s:a6 when te varius tks wee ft cozy
infced thai un ill state ther: characteristics, good
fd bud, che sey of the take in aoton harer fel te
these who fou in thom andl iv dhe histaies ot the urls
thar vec thom See uf Uae hstesies have been bret
{quota fo ilusAras the porfor-unce of the rsms ad the
cues shey used against 1 frequenlly azote poxertu,
adversary,

‘Ae sal aa res2arch pro
remain to be fled
ince ron Ut wouk! help o complet: the
sto.

co hie‘, aay waps
any
sly Tightens

"The aula would be grul

RA, Mornieun
oimant, Cu fora
pil B92
PART |

EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF THE LIGHT TANK
fone a Reraic TIT rag up th Ameri ess Ts nasi tsk mail he eis Ror machine 2

won

On Fane 1957, General ole 3, Petahing ative
anes oh the eedingelemens of the A-neciean Espedi-
foncry Forsss, Since the Usited Siaes Army had no
cspersnce wih nbs, noard wes pointed x Daly
‘dy te.” emplcysent and te cefne the Army's reculre~
iments, The ~sontmendations of this boord penpeae “ae
‘tool both ght und henry tanks, The lear uk slectau
‘asthe Anglo-Ame:iean Mark VIN des:zn whne= we fo
be sasembled in Pracs2 using cerspanemts me ifherurs
inthe Trt States axl Great Britain, Te ua Ci fig
le requceweat, ar'angements vere act t9 manutice
ture the French Reaauls ETVT inthe United States. ttl.
ieovaest mete vhs pedi qa of bl Ue lig
nc asavy tarks Soule be avalasle by April #18, Ursor-
fun yess carats proved tebe ply opie 14
fo Ameriosn il ark reuched Ine ucyis por to the
‘Aumuatice ir Naveriber, Mark V ad Mark V Star heavy
tanks wer obtained fom. Been to equip ene

fan: Fens hl Renal FT w2%e pcs ow Ui ight
tank unis

1 WAK 1 ASD POSTWAR MODIFICATIONS

Resa’ WE of he 90-4 Tak Be ace ino action th the
Shh Distr sua! Bours, rae 26 Senerer

ita on eal cits ies ween he ee ear