±Recent Visitors

Recent Visitors to Com-Central!

±User Info-big


Welcome Anonymous

Nickname
Password

Membership:
Latest: HighestAce
New Today: 0
New Yesterday: 0
Overall: 6648

People Online:
Members: 0
Visitors: 776
Total: 776
Who Is Where:
 Visitors:
01: Community Forums
02: Home
03: Community Forums
04: News
05: News Archive
06: Downloads
07: Community Forums
08: Community Forums
09: Community Forums
10: Home
11: Community Forums
12: Community Forums
13: Home
14: Home
15: Home
16: News Archive
17: Community Forums
18: Member Screenshots
19: Community Forums
20: Member Screenshots
21: Community Forums
22: Member Screenshots
23: Community Forums
24: Member Screenshots
25: Community Forums
26: Community Forums
27: Community Forums
28: Home
29: Community Forums
30: Member Screenshots
31: Home
32: Member Screenshots
33: Community Forums
34: Community Forums
35: Community Forums
36: Community Forums
37: Member Screenshots
38: Community Forums
39: Member Screenshots
40: Home
41: Home
42: Community Forums
43: Community Forums
44: Home
45: Community Forums
46: Photo Gallery
47: Community Forums
48: Community Forums
49: Community Forums
50: Community Forums
51: Downloads
52: Community Forums
53: Community Forums
54: Photo Gallery
55: Community Forums
56: News Archive
57: Home
58: Community Forums
59: Community Forums
60: Community Forums
61: News Archive
62: Community Forums
63: Community Forums
64: Community Forums
65: Home
66: Community Forums
67: Community Forums
68: News Archive
69: Home
70: Community Forums
71: Home
72: Community Forums
73: Community Forums
74: Community Forums
75: News
76: Home
77: News Archive
78: Community Forums
79: Community Forums
80: Community Forums
81: Downloads
82: Community Forums
83: Community Forums
84: Community Forums
85: Member Screenshots
86: Downloads
87: Your Account
88: Member Screenshots
89: Community Forums
90: Community Forums
91: Community Forums
92: Community Forums
93: Photo Gallery
94: Community Forums
95: Home
96: Community Forums
97: Home
98: Community Forums
99: Home
100: Statistics
101: Home
102: Community Forums
103: Community Forums
104: Home
105: Community Forums
106: Photo Gallery
107: Home
108: Community Forums
109: News Archive
110: News
111: Home
112: Community Forums
113: Photo Gallery
114: Statistics
115: Home
116: Member Screenshots
117: Community Forums
118: Photo Gallery
119: Photo Gallery
120: Member Screenshots
121: Photo Gallery
122: Home
123: Downloads
124: Home
125: Member Screenshots
126: Community Forums
127: Community Forums
128: Photo Gallery
129: Community Forums
130: Community Forums
131: Photo Gallery
132: Member Screenshots
133: Community Forums
134: Member Screenshots
135: Supporters
136: Community Forums
137: Community Forums
138: Home
139: Photo Gallery
140: Community Forums
141: Community Forums
142: Home
143: Community Forums
144: News
145: Community Forums
146: Home
147: Community Forums
148: Photo Gallery
149: Downloads
150: Home
151: Member Screenshots
152: Community Forums
153: Home
154: Member Screenshots
155: Member Screenshots
156: Community Forums
157: Member Screenshots
158: Community Forums
159: Photo Gallery
160: Member Screenshots
161: Community Forums
162: Community Forums
163: Home
164: Member Screenshots
165: Community Forums
166: LinkToUs
167: Home
168: Community Forums
169: Community Forums
170: Downloads
171: News
172: Home
173: Home
174: Community Forums
175: Downloads
176: Community Forums
177: Community Forums
178: Downloads
179: Home
180: Community Forums
181: Photo Gallery
182: News Archive
183: Community Forums
184: Member Screenshots
185: Home
186: Community Forums
187: Photo Gallery
188: Community Forums
189: Community Forums
190: Photo Gallery
191: Community Forums
192: Community Forums
193: Community Forums
194: Photo Gallery
195: Home
196: Community Forums
197: Downloads
198: Community Forums
199: Community Forums
200: Statistics
201: Community Forums
202: Home
203: Community Forums
204: Community Forums
205: Community Forums
206: Community Forums
207: Home
208: Community Forums
209: Community Forums
210: Home
211: Home
212: Community Forums
213: Home
214: Member Screenshots
215: Community Forums
216: Downloads
217: Member Screenshots
218: Community Forums
219: Community Forums
220: Photo Gallery
221: Home
222: Community Forums
223: News Archive
224: Home
225: Community Forums
226: Photo Gallery
227: Photo Gallery
228: Community Forums
229: Photo Gallery
230: Community Forums
231: Downloads
232: Downloads
233: Community Forums
234: Community Forums
235: Downloads
236: Member Screenshots
237: Community Forums
238: Photo Gallery
239: News Archive
240: Community Forums
241: Photo Gallery
242: Member Screenshots
243: Home
244: Home
245: Member Screenshots
246: Community Forums
247: Member Screenshots
248: Statistics
249: Photo Gallery
250: Community Forums
251: Community Forums
252: Photo Gallery
253: News Archive
254: Community Forums
255: Community Forums
256: Community Forums
257: Community Forums
258: Downloads
259: Home
260: Community Forums
261: Community Forums
262: Community Forums
263: News Archive
264: News Archive
265: Home
266: Your Account
267: Home
268: Member Screenshots
269: Community Forums
270: Member Screenshots
271: Home
272: Community Forums
273: Community Forums
274: News Archive
275: Community Forums
276: Community Forums
277: Home
278: Member Screenshots
279: Community Forums
280: Community Forums
281: Community Forums
282: Community Forums
283: News Archive
284: Member Screenshots
285: Community Forums
286: Community Forums
287: Photo Gallery
288: Home
289: Community Forums
290: Photo Gallery
291: Member Screenshots
292: Community Forums
293: Home
294: Community Forums
295: Photo Gallery
296: Photo Gallery
297: Home
298: Community Forums
299: Community Forums
300: Home
301: Community Forums
302: Community Forums
303: Community Forums
304: Downloads
305: Community Forums
306: Statistics
307: Home
308: Community Forums
309: Community Forums
310: Photo Gallery
311: Photo Gallery
312: Community Forums
313: Community Forums
314: Community Forums
315: Community Forums
316: Community Forums
317: Community Forums
318: Member Screenshots
319: Community Forums
320: Home
321: Downloads
322: Community Forums
323: Community Forums
324: Community Forums
325: Community Forums
326: Community Forums
327: Community Forums
328: Community Forums
329: Community Forums
330: Community Forums
331: Home
332: Photo Gallery
333: Community Forums
334: Community Forums
335: Photo Gallery
336: Photo Gallery
337: Community Forums
338: Community Forums
339: Member Screenshots
340: Community Forums
341: Photo Gallery
342: Your Account
343: Community Forums
344: Photo Gallery
345: Community Forums
346: Downloads
347: Community Forums
348: Downloads
349: Community Forums
350: Home
351: Community Forums
352: Community Forums
353: Community Forums
354: Photo Gallery
355: Community Forums
356: Community Forums
357: Community Forums
358: Home
359: Photo Gallery
360: Member Screenshots
361: Photo Gallery
362: Community Forums
363: Community Forums
364: Community Forums
365: Photo Gallery
366: News Archive
367: Member Screenshots
368: Community Forums
369: Member Screenshots
370: Home
371: Member Screenshots
372: Community Forums
373: Community Forums
374: Community Forums
375: Community Forums
376: Community Forums
377: Community Forums
378: Community Forums
379: Community Forums
380: Community Forums
381: Community Forums
382: Community Forums
383: Community Forums
384: Community Forums
385: Community Forums
386: Community Forums
387: Community Forums
388: Home
389: Community Forums
390: Member Screenshots
391: Community Forums
392: Downloads
393: Community Forums
394: Community Forums
395: Home
396: Member Screenshots
397: Community Forums
398: Community Forums
399: Home
400: Photo Gallery
401: Community Forums
402: Member Screenshots
403: Member Screenshots
404: Member Screenshots
405: Home
406: Community Forums
407: Community Forums
408: Community Forums
409: Community Forums
410: Community Forums
411: Community Forums
412: Home
413: Community Forums
414: Community Forums
415: Member Screenshots
416: Downloads
417: Member Screenshots
418: Member Screenshots
419: Community Forums
420: Downloads
421: Community Forums
422: Community Forums
423: Community Forums
424: Community Forums
425: Community Forums
426: Home
427: Community Forums
428: Home
429: Photo Gallery
430: Community Forums
431: Community Forums
432: Community Forums
433: Photo Gallery
434: Photo Gallery
435: Community Forums
436: Member Screenshots
437: Photo Gallery
438: News Archive
439: Community Forums
440: Community Forums
441: Home
442: Photo Gallery
443: Member Screenshots
444: Photo Gallery
445: Statistics
446: Community Forums
447: Community Forums
448: Community Forums
449: Community Forums
450: Community Forums
451: Community Forums
452: Community Forums
453: Community Forums
454: News Archive
455: Community Forums
456: Downloads
457: Community Forums
458: Community Forums
459: Community Forums
460: Community Forums
461: Community Forums
462: Member Screenshots
463: Home
464: Community Forums
465: Community Forums
466: Community Forums
467: Community Forums
468: Photo Gallery
469: Member Screenshots
470: Community Forums
471: Community Forums
472: Member Screenshots
473: Photo Gallery
474: Member Screenshots
475: Community Forums
476: Downloads
477: Community Forums
478: Community Forums
479: News Archive
480: Community Forums
481: Community Forums
482: Community Forums
483: Member Screenshots
484: Community Forums
485: Home
486: Community Forums
487: Member Screenshots
488: Photo Gallery
489: Member Screenshots
490: Home
491: Community Forums
492: Member Screenshots
493: Photo Gallery
494: News Archive
495: Community Forums
496: News Archive
497: News Archive
498: Community Forums
499: Community Forums
500: Photo Gallery
501: Community Forums
502: Community Forums
503: Photo Gallery
504: Home
505: Community Forums
506: Community Forums
507: Member Screenshots
508: Community Forums
509: Community Forums
510: Community Forums
511: Community Forums
512: Member Screenshots
513: Community Forums
514: Community Forums
515: Community Forums
516: News Archive
517: Community Forums
518: Community Forums
519: Community Forums
520: Member Screenshots
521: Community Forums
522: Member Screenshots
523: Community Forums
524: Community Forums
525: Home
526: Community Forums
527: Member Screenshots
528: Member Screenshots
529: Community Forums
530: Community Forums
531: Downloads
532: Downloads
533: News Archive
534: Home
535: Photo Gallery
536: Home
537: Home
538: Community Forums
539: Photo Gallery
540: News Archive
541: Community Forums
542: Photo Gallery
543: Home
544: Community Forums
545: Community Forums
546: Community Forums
547: Member Screenshots
548: Member Screenshots
549: Community Forums
550: Downloads
551: Member Screenshots
552: Home
553: Photo Gallery
554: Home
555: Community Forums
556: Photo Gallery
557: Community Forums
558: Community Forums
559: Home
560: Home
561: Community Forums
562: Home
563: Community Forums
564: News Archive
565: Community Forums
566: Home
567: Community Forums
568: Community Forums
569: Community Forums
570: Photo Gallery
571: Community Forums
572: Member Screenshots
573: Community Forums
574: Community Forums
575: Member Screenshots
576: Community Forums
577: Community Forums
578: News
579: Photo Gallery
580: Member Screenshots
581: Community Forums
582: News Archive
583: Community Forums
584: Community Forums
585: Downloads
586: Community Forums
587: Member Screenshots
588: Community Forums
589: Home
590: Downloads
591: Downloads
592: Downloads
593: Community Forums
594: Community Forums
595: Community Forums
596: Photo Gallery
597: Community Forums
598: Your Account
599: Home
600: Community Forums
601: Community Forums
602: Community Forums
603: Community Forums
604: Community Forums
605: Community Forums
606: Community Forums
607: Photo Gallery
608: Community Forums
609: Member Screenshots
610: Community Forums
611: Home
612: Community Forums
613: Home
614: Community Forums
615: Community Forums
616: Community Forums
617: Photo Gallery
618: Community Forums
619: Community Forums
620: News Archive
621: Home
622: Member Screenshots
623: Community Forums
624: Community Forums
625: Community Forums
626: Community Forums
627: Community Forums
628: News Archive
629: Community Forums
630: Your Account
631: Downloads
632: Photo Gallery
633: Community Forums
634: Photo Gallery
635: Community Forums
636: Home
637: Home
638: Member Screenshots
639: Community Forums
640: News Archive
641: Home
642: Community Forums
643: Community Forums
644: Community Forums
645: Home
646: Community Forums
647: Photo Gallery
648: Community Forums
649: Community Forums
650: Photo Gallery
651: Community Forums
652: Community Forums
653: News Archive
654: Community Forums
655: Community Forums
656: Community Forums
657: Community Forums
658: Contact
659: Member Screenshots
660: Member Screenshots
661: Home
662: Home
663: Community Forums
664: Community Forums
665: Community Forums
666: Community Forums
667: Community Forums
668: Home
669: Community Forums
670: Member Screenshots
671: Community Forums
672: Home
673: Community Forums
674: Home
675: Downloads
676: Member Screenshots
677: Community Forums
678: Community Forums
679: Community Forums
680: Your Account
681: Community Forums
682: Community Forums
683: Photo Gallery
684: Member Screenshots
685: Community Forums
686: Downloads
687: Home
688: Community Forums
689: Photo Gallery
690: Community Forums
691: Community Forums
692: Home
693: Photo Gallery
694: Photo Gallery
695: Photo Gallery
696: Community Forums
697: Search
698: Community Forums
699: Community Forums
700: Photo Gallery
701: Community Forums
702: Home
703: Member Screenshots
704: Home
705: Community Forums
706: Community Forums
707: Downloads
708: Community Forums
709: Photo Gallery
710: Community Forums
711: Home
712: Community Forums
713: Community Forums
714: Downloads
715: Community Forums
716: Community Forums
717: Community Forums
718: Community Forums
719: Community Forums
720: Community Forums
721: Home
722: Community Forums
723: News Archive
724: Community Forums
725: Photo Gallery
726: News Archive
727: Community Forums
728: Downloads
729: Community Forums
730: Downloads
731: Photo Gallery
732: Member Screenshots
733: News Archive
734: Home
735: News Archive
736: News Archive
737: Community Forums
738: Community Forums
739: Photo Gallery
740: Community Forums
741: Community Forums
742: Community Forums
743: Community Forums
744: Community Forums
745: Member Screenshots
746: Community Forums
747: Community Forums
748: Home
749: Community Forums
750: Community Forums
751: Community Forums
752: Community Forums
753: Community Forums
754: Photo Gallery
755: News Archive
756: Member Screenshots
757: Member Screenshots
758: Community Forums
759: News
760: News Archive
761: Photo Gallery
762: Member Screenshots
763: Downloads
764: Community Forums
765: Community Forums
766: Community Forums
767: Member Screenshots
768: Photo Gallery
769: Community Forums
770: Member Screenshots
771: Community Forums
772: Home
773: Community Forums
774: Community Forums
775: Community Forums
776: Community Forums

Staff Online:

No staff members are online!
Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...
The AFV ASSOCIATION was formed in 1964 to support the thoughts and research of all those interested in Armored Fighting Vehicles and related topics, such as AFV drawings. The emphasis has always been on sharing information and communicating with other members of similar interests; e.g. German armor, Japanese AFVs, or whatever.
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page     Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board

View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Thu Aug 24, 2006 3:19 am
Post subject: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

I went to the III Corp HQ's parade field today and shot some pics of this Sherman there. This makes three M4's with the T66 metal track here at Ft Hood. Most of the numbers are readable in the pictures, but the rear tow lugs had 61587 stamped into them. The front top hull had 264, 1062958, CP8950, stamped into it. I believe this to be a Chrysler built Sherman due to the guidance of Joe DeMarco and where to find certain markings, such as the B3229 stamped into the side edge of the hull armor. As more information becomes known, I will keep you posted. I will soon post an information sheet of all the known Shermans here at Ft Hood once I get all the data compiled.

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 1:06 am
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Here is what I have on this particular Sherman per Joe DeMarco. This is a Chrysler built M4A3 (76)HVSS, built in January 1945. Corresponding reg number would have been 30114609. This would have been about the 3242 built tank (ballpark number).
The reg number stamped into the lower hull (30114359), below the white star, was the first time Joe had seen one in this location. He assumes it came from another Sherman. That Shermans serial number would have been 61337.
The stamped number above the pistol port on the turret (18041090) tells us the turret was cast by Continental Steel (H in a C). 1804 is the heat treat number of the turret while 1090 should be the turrets serial number.
Joe explains all the other markings but I'll save those for the museum staff. Joe makes me look pretty darn smart, but I have to give him all the credit. But at the same time, I'm learning and am putting together my own guide on research of Shermans. Who knows, I may become the next "Joe DeMarco" for the next generation of Sherman enthusists. I still have a long way to go though!

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
binder001
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 25, 2006
Posts: 363

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:52 am
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

The turret top detail is interesting. When they filled the smoke mortar port, they sure did a sloppy job. Some of them were done so neatly that you can hardly tell that it was there.
Back to top
View user's profile
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 2:56 am
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Is that the area right above the mantlet? What exactly is a smoke Mortar port?

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
toadmanstankpictures
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 704

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 3:47 am
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

- SFC_Jeff_Button
Is that the area right above the mantlet? What exactly is a smoke Mortar port?


Starting in mid to late 1943, Shermans were produced with a British designed, two inch smoke mortar in the turret. It was mounted in the left side of the turret and protruded through an opening in the roof. Post war, they were removed and the openings were filled in.


_________________
Chris "toadman" Hughes
www.toadmanstankpictures.com
www.cafepress.com/toad...ksandstuff
Back to top
View user's profile Visit poster's website
SFC_Jeff_Button
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1311
Location: Ft Hood, TX
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 11:54 am
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

This will sound stupid, but to me, a Mortar fires a projectile. Am I to understand that this was an early smoke devise or merely an exit tube for smoke and gases to escape the inside when "buttoned-up"?

_________________
SFC Jeff Button "High Angle Hell"
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail Photo Gallery
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 12:12 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Jeff, I believe the mortar launched smoke grenades.

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:33 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Hi Jeff! Hi Folks!

Here are two photos cropped from Hunnicutt's Sherman book. Top one is from page 263 and bottom one is from page 152
In the data sheets, Hunnicutt calls it: "2 inch Mortar M3 (smoke) fixed in turret"





This is Jeff's photo of the M-4 105 How tank. That big hole in the turret roof to the right of and down in front of the loader's periscope is the openning for the 2 inch smoke mortar.


Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
Neil_Baumgardner
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 3942
Location: Arlington, VA
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 5:53 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Perhaps a dumb question, but wouldnt that let shrapnel, even the odd MG round perhaps in? A really audacious infantryman might try to drop a grenade in...

Neil
Back to top
View user's profile
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:11 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Hi Neil! Hi Folks!

- Neil_Baumgardner

Perhaps a dumb question, but wouldnt that let shrapnel, even the odd MG round perhaps in? A really audacious infantryman might try to drop a grenade in...
Neil


Shrapnel - Yes, but back when the smoke mortar was added, air burst artillery shells had not been fielded yet. Look at that cover for the openning for the loader's periscope, it does more to keep out rain that it does to keep out shrapnel.

The odd MG round - Possibly, but not very likely. I would think that a round going in the opennings for the direct sights and the co-ax machine gun holes would have a better chance.

The audacious infantryman - that is why tanks DON'T work alone.
If they do, then that audacious infantryman is going to get them.

My 2 cents.
Sgt, Scouts Out!

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
clausb
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 25, 2006
Posts: 146

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 6:23 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

The Brits called it the "2-inch Bombthrower" and were still mounting it in Centurions in the 1950ies. The Germans came up with something similar (perhaps from British inspiration?), the Nahverteidigungswaffe, mounted in the roof of most German tanks from 1944 onwards.

The Germans tried smoke grenade dischargers mounted on the side of the turret, but they tended to go off when hit by enemy fire, smoke getting sucked into the tank creating a miserably enviroment form the crew. They were also impossible to reload from the inside.
The Brits also used such dischargers mounted on the side of the turret early in the war (inspiring the Germans?), then they apperently went out of fashion in favour of the 2-inch Bombthrower only to be re-introduced on British tanks after the war, early Centurions having both smoke devices.

Not really sure what the Americans did? AFAIK they didn't use the exterior smoke grenade dischargers in WWII and while they did adopt the British 2-inch weapon, they apparently got rid of it soon after the war. What did they use before and until they began to use the exterior smoke grenade dischargers long after WWII (1960ies?)?

Niel, the hole is only about 2", so a handgrenade wouldn't fit, I think. Also, whatever went into the hole would be stopped by the weapon mounted there, so it seems highly unlikely that anything entering the hole would actually make it into the turret proper.

Claus B
Back to top
View user's profile
Roy_A_Lingle
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 24, 2006
Posts: 1997
Location: El Paso & Ft Bliss, Texas
PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:08 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

Hi Claus! Hi Folks!

- clausb

Not really sure what the Americans did? AFAIK they didn't use the exterior smoke grenade dischargers in WWII and while they did adopt the British 2-inch weapon, they apparently got rid of it soon after the war. What did they use before and until they began to use the exterior smoke grenade dischargers long after WWII (1960ies?)?


1. Tank Battalion 4.2 inch Mortar platoon of four tubes.
2. Any available division artillery support.
3. Smoke pots inplaced by Smoke Engineers units or Battalion Scouts. I did that during a couple of FTXs in Germany.

Spot Report!
Sgt, Scouts Out! Smile

_________________
"You can never have too much reconnaissance."
General G.S. Patton Jr.
Back to top
View user's profile Send e-mail
binder001
Power User

Offline Offline
Joined: Jan 25, 2006
Posts: 363

PostPosted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 7:08 pm
Post subject: Re: Ft Hood III Corp M4A3 w/ T66 track...

I think the US tankers relied more on smoke ammo from the 75 or 76mm guns than the 2" smoke mortar. One source reported that when the smoke mortar was used the Germans tended to fire into the smoke and the infantry around the tank didn't appreciate that one bit! I'm not sure how effective the mortar was at creating an effective screen, maybe the US crews weren't using it as designed?

The US tank battalion organized under the 1943 TO&Es also gave the battalion commander an additional asset - the battalion mortar platoon. There were three M4/M4A1 (later M21) halftrack 81mm mortar carriers authorized to each battalion and the FM mentions that the primary mission was to fire smoke rounds for screeening.

I have a xerox of an Ordnance Techical Bulletin dated right after VE day that mentions that the 2" smoke mortar was considered obsolete. The weapons and ammo were to be discarded. The mounts and ammo boxes were to be removed from the tanks (M4-series, M24, etc.). The holes in the turret were to be filled by either a) welding in a plug cut to fit, or b) be filled by welding. Some depots did it so cleanly that one can't tell there was ever a hole, others did "good enough".

The smoke mortars ports were seen on the later 75mm turrets (starting in 1943), all the 105mm turrets, and all (?) of the 76mm turrets. Some castings had a small lip around the opening.

With all this talk of THOUSANDS of baby mortars for each US tank, plus the battalions 81mm mortars, I can almost hear Jeff Button drooling with excitement!

Gary
Back to top
View user's profile
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic    Reply to topic    Printer Friendly Page    Forum Index ›  AFV News Discussion Board
Page 1 of 1
All times are GMT - 6 Hours



Jump to:  


You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
You cannot attach files in this forum
You cannot download files in this forum