Field modifications and conversions to Allied vehicles.

JCFalkenbergIII · #1 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2008, 03:05 AM

We all know about the modifications or conversions to captured Allied and other countries vehicles by the Germans. How about the ones that were conducted by the other Allies themselves to standaed Allied AFVs and vehicles? I have mentioned before the Churchills mounting Sherman 75mm Turrets in another thread. I ran across this and thought it was a lesser known bit of info. Does anyone else know of other or similar field modifications or conversions?

"Once Yugoslavia fell to the Germans, partisan units were formed. Using captured equipment, they formed the 1st Tank Brigade in July 1944. 75 American M3A1 - A3 Stuart light tanks were supplied by the British.

The Yugoslav 1st tank brigade was organized near Bari, on the Adriatic coast, and equipped with the M3A3 and a handful of the older M3A1 version of the Stuart family. A total of 56 tanks and 9 AEC armored cars were delivered by the Allies to the town of Dubrovnik, and supported the Yugoslav 4th Army. In November 1944, the unit captured the town of Sibenik, and found a variety of German equipment, still in working order. This included, a German 7.5 cm Pak 40 anti tank gun, some Renault UE carriers and some 2 cm quadruple flak guns. A brigade mechanic named Vlajko suggested that they use the captured weapons to upgrade the Stuarts. The upgrades simply removed the turrets and added supports for the guns as well as some armor to protect the crew. The tank destroyer version with the Pak 40 lasted throughout the campaign and were encountered by New Zealand troops in the contested city of Trieste at the end of the war.

Daniella Carlsson adds this information about the conversions:

"About the M3A3 with an Pak50 75mm gun, Bow MG was removed, ammo storage was ~25 rounds, side armor around gun was made from destroyed SdKfz-251. Total of 5 were converted and 3 were still operational in 1949. Other interesting conversions of 1st Tank Brigade included:
- M3A3 with quad 20mm Flak-38V (four converted)
- M3A1 with 81mm mortar (two converted)
- M3A3 with 150mm sIG33 (one, destroyed in first action)"

Yugoslavia

JCFalkenbergIII · #2 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2008, 03:25 AM

T. A. Gardner · #3 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2008, 03:37 AM

One that was common to late war 4th Armored Division, among other units, tanks was to weld another plate of armor over the glacis of vehicles. In some cases this consisted of ex-Panther tank armor. Aberdeen Proving Grounds actually supplied the initial kits for this. These kits added two inches (actual thickness) of armor to the front of the Sherman giving it a glacis about the same thickness as that of a Panther tank.

JCFalkenbergIII · #4 (**permalink**) September 22nd, 2008, 03:43 AM

Thanks T.A. Ill add the Churchill info here too,

"During World War II, some 3 weeks after the formation of REME, the British Eighth Army, reinforced with much U.S. equipment, fought its main battle at El Alamein in North Africa, halting the German drive to the Suez Canal. Success of that battle may not have been possible had it not been for REME's demonstrated ability to recover and repair equipment quickly. That ability brought great praise to the new Corps. The Corps went on to support Allied forces landing in Morocco and Algeria, contributing to the success of the North African campaign. [/size][size=2]It was during this time that the Corps discovered that British Churchill tanks could be fitted with guns from wrecked U.S. Sherman tanks. Since the guns of the Sherman tank could use a wider range of ammunition, substituting the Sherman gun extended the capability of the Churchill tank. The Corps outfitted two tank regiments with Sherman guns, and those regiments served in Italy."

http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/jul97/MS875.htm

Churchills W/ Sherman 75mm guns

JCFalkenbergIII · #5 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 12:08 AM

skunk works · #6 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 12:36 AM

I've also seen M-10's and M-36's with an improvised top (with a space 6-12 inches to look out of) to protect from whatever came from above.
I imagine some enterprising (life loving) soldiers also did it to Hellcats/M-18's, as well as with half-tracks, even partially. Obviously they wanted something there.
I got some pic's somewhere, that might take a while to dig out.

JCFalkenbergIII · #7 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 12:58 AM

Please do. Brazilian Jeep in Europe.

T. A. Gardner · #8 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 01:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by skunk works

I've also seen M-10's and M-36's with an improvised top (with a space 6-12 inches to look out of) to protect from whatever came from above.
I imagine some enterprising (life loving) soldiers also did it to Hellcats/M-18's, as well as with half-tracks, even partially. Obviously they wanted something there.
I got some pic's somewhere, that might take a while to dig out.

Actually, by mid 1944 there was a "standard" roof kit being applied to most of the US 7th Army's tank destroyers. This was made from 1/4" plate and rather crude. It had small rectangular view slots on each side in front along with similar ones on the sides and rear. There were two hatches on top. Post war a purpose designed roof was applied to M 36 tank destroyers in use in Korea.

bigfun · #9 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 01:15 AM

How about the "Bocage Busters"!! Apparently anything they could find was welded on to the front of tanks to bust thru the hedgerows.
Good 'ol American ingenuity at work here! Here's a shot of one in action!!

JCFalkenbergIII · #10 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 01:26 AM

"Rhino" Culin cutter om the M5 Stuart

skunk works · #11 (**permalink**) September 23rd, 2008, 03:17 AM

I haven't found the ones I remember yet, and I'm tired of looking for now.
I remember virtually everyone was different, like hedge choppers. No two alike, until the demand called for a kit upgrade.
These were on the web

JCFalkenbergIII · #12 (**permalink**) September 24th, 2008, 12:38 AM

I wish I could find some photos of the Flak 38 mounted on the Stuarts. So far no luck.

JCFalkenbergIII · #13 (**permalink**) September 25th, 2008, 11:55 PM

JCFalkenbergIII · #14 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2008, 08:51 PM

skunk works · #15 (**permalink**) September 28th, 2008, 11:58 PM

more of same, a variety of things used to prevent a penetration of whatever was used against them.

skunk works · #16 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2008, 12:01 AM

bogies, logs, sandbags, tracks, and wooden planking to prevent magnet mines

JCFalkenbergIII · #17 (**permalink**) September 29th, 2008, 12:16 AM

M15 "Special" - Field conversions by US Army depots in Australia of standard M3s, not M15s, fitted with turreted 40 mm Bofors L/50 guns. These were the only successful mating of this weapon to the M3 chassis, and were used more for direct fire support than for anti-aircraft purposes.