i have read about the quad .50s on halftracks being useful,but have recently found that a 37mm with twin .50s were used in n/africa.
why was the 37mm aa gun replaced?.was the t28 g.m.c used effectively in other theaters?.are there any combat records of this overlooked system?.cheers.

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"I never knew Canadians were as clever as that?".thankyou all,4th wilts.

4th Wilts

The "443rd AAA Btn Selfpropelled" deployed to North Africa with 78 T28E1 and 2 towed 40mm bofors to make up the numbers 4 x 20 guns these were all the available T28E1.

The 443rd AAA was part of the Western Task force under Patton during the invasion of North Africa some of the T28E1 were used as deck guns on LSTs. After landing in Scilly the Battalion was re-organised with 32 T28E1 and 32 M13 MGMC. and apart for 8 handed over to the French the remained were held a replacement stock for the 443rd.

With this organisation it the 443rd continued to serve in Italy and the invasion of Southern France -the M13 were locally reconfigured as M16 The 443rd ended its war in Germany with 26 of the original T28E1.

They were well liked despite the open mounts, the 37mm gun M1a2 used in the mount was eclipsed by the 40mm bofors and for some reason ammunition supply was always a problem, but not sufficient for numbers of M15s to be sent to Russia. The M15 and M15A1 was used in NWE, Russia, Italy and Pacific. In the Pacific a number were re-armed with 40mm cannon as the M15special and these certainly were used on Luzon, probably mostly ground fire and the reason for conversion was lack of sufficient ammunition. In Korea redundant M15s in Japan were converted in the same way as the Wartime M15special and it was designed M34.

Reference Hunnicutt Halftrack (great book)

Further some images of T28E1 and M15 modifed

T28e1 1.jpg

There should be a special place in hell for publishers who put photos across book spines

T28E1 Italy.jpg

M15 special.jpg

M34 76th AA Btn tegu korea 1951.jpg

thanks razin,ive always been fascinated by u.s equipment,especially in north africa.that book looks good too,cheers man.

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"I never knew Canadians were as clever as that?".thankyou all,4th wilts.

Be aware that Hunnicutt books are technical books the information I have posted is most of the service record they don't cover units service records the 443rd is unique as it was the US unit to used the T28. but Hunnicutt is really good for technical development of all US halftracks and halftrack gun carriages it is available via amazon for about £45.

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443rd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion World War II History

My Father was with the 443rd AAA Bn(sp) from the initial landings in North Africa to the end of the war.

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4th Wilts,

A battery in a self-propelled anti-aircraft artillery battalion was authorized eight GMC M16 (quad-.50 AAMG) and eight GMC M15 (one 37-mm AA Gun and dual-.50 AAMG). These continued to be used until the end of the war. The replacement system for the M15, the M19 (a 40-mm SPAAG) did not appear until the very end of the war.

Here is a quote regarding operations of the 443rd AAA Battalion during the Rhineland Campaign: (from 443rd AAA AW Bn (SP) - World War II - in Ground Support Missions)

Cheers

BW

thankyou very much guys.

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"I never knew Canadians were as clever as that?".thankyou all,4th wilts.

The ever-reliable 'Tanks' has a nice page on Halftracks, with lots of good shots of assorted GMC types:
Armored Halftracks

~A

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Platoon C2 in Kempten, Germany

escorting prisoners Tunisia

assembly

443rd men listening to Patton's Apology

Klondike

Nice pictures

~Steve

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Kempten, Germany


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Favorite jeep

Outside of Colmar the 36th Texas was in danger of being overrun by a German counterattack. They used the 443rd to provide ground support in areas where they were especially vulnerable. My Father had a strong recurring nightmare (until his death) that involved the German use of school boys as infantry against the quad 50's. He never mentioned specifics except that they were sickened to see that they had killed children in that attack.
Does anyone know more?

improvised gunsite that has a larger ring to get proper leads on German jet aircraft.


providing antiaircraft protection on way to Sicily, Salerno, or So. France

Thanks for the pictures, Klondike.

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Best World War 2 Comics

Hey Klondike,
My father also served in the 443rd starting with training at Fort Sheridan, and Camp Pickett. He commanded Battery "A" of the battalion, and later served as XO. He was in Austria when the war ended.