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Half-Track Car M2

1940 COLD WAR SELF-PROPELLED ARTILLERY WORLD WAR 2

History of the M2 Halftrack

The U.S. Army learned from experience in World War I that trying to move people and machinery through mud and snow proved to be a logistical nightmare. The Army understands that the days of wagons and caissons are over, so there is a solution. Early attempts at "half-tracks" built by Citroen were seen as crude machines at bestthese systems removed the rear wheels while installing rubber Kegresse belts to provide rear-wheel drive for essentially modified utility vehicles and trucks.

However, the new concept eventually allows for more modern transport on soft or rough terrain.

In the 1920s, the U.S. Department of the War purchased some of these vehicles for evaluation and testing, which were started by the Army Ordnance Department. It turns out that rubber is not the solution, so metal tracks are recommended. In 1939, the White Motor Company, a major commercial vehicle manufacturer in the 1920s, built a prototype with this type of track.

White has acquired smaller trucking companies such as Autocar, Stearling and Reo, and those growing acquisitions have given White many factory locations, making it more vulnerable to potentially lucrative government contracts.

Lightly armored half-tracks are a requirement of the nascent U.S. Army, and the need for such vehicles to maintain a dual role in the ranks is even greater. First, it will replace horses and mules as the prime mover for artillery and supplies, and second, it will serve as an armored personal transport vehicle (APC) with reconnaissance capabilities. The contract went to White Motor Company, which used its own internal motor for power and took the rear components from the T9 half-track truck and used it with the existing M3 Scout Car. This ingenious use of existing components resulted in significantly lower assembly costs and enabled the final product to be delivered to the Army on time.

The new car was dubbed the "T7 Half-Track", but field tests showed it was underpowered in its primary propulsion role as an artillery tractor. After further upgrades, including the installation of larger and larger engines, the final product became the famous "M2 Half Track."

The M2 is a rear tracked vehicle with a tire-mounted front axle. She was assigned a basic 2-person crew consisting of a driver and a co-driver. Mounted above the forward compartment, the M2 Browning heavy machine gun typically carries up to 1,000 rounds of ammunition. The rear area accommodates seven passengers, including appropriate field equipment.

The M2's armor is up to 12mm thick to protect the crew and passenger areas, and the armor around the engine blocks is up to 6mm thick. The light armor shield only protects the crew and passengers from small arms fire, and the top is open to expose passengers to falling fire or hand-thrown explosives.

The 147-horsepower engine is enough to get the 9-ton vehicle about 200 miles at 40 mph, with nine employees and supplies on board.

Once the M2 went into production and began shipping to US Army outposts, war in Europe broke out. Demand for the M2 skyrocketed (via Lend-Lease) until the International Harvester Company received a contract to build the M9, an offshoot of the base M2.

The White Company continued production as long as possible, but was already hard at work designing and developing a newer, larger, heavier version of the M2 to become the more famous "M3" half-track. Unlike the M2, the M3 is capable of engaging an entire squad of infantry.

As the wars in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific progressed, the need for a more mobile and adaptable military force became apparent. As a result, the M2 will have extensive modifications to its armor protection, powertrain, engines and loading options.

Some were used as test beds for air defense systems, which eventually evolved into production form on the M3 chassis.

Although the initial M2 supply was relatively limited, it served the United States and its allies well during World War II. The M2 conducted combat operations in North Africa, Europe, and the Eastern Front, supporting attacks and retreats against powerful German enemies. Likewise, in the Pacific, the U.S. Marine Corps successfully used the M2 in their island hopping campaign, trying to push back stubborn Japanese defenses.

With around 13,500 M2s delivered and 3,500 M9s produced, the car has been in professional service worldwide for 50 years. Surprisingly, the series continued to undergo modernization and was only actively used in Bolivia and other countries until 2006.