M1 AT (57mm Gun M1)

History of the M1 AT (57mm M1 gun)

When Britain needed manufacturing capacity during World War II (1939-1945), it turned to American factories and relied on Lend-Lease agreements for supplies as it faced Axis power on battlefields around the world. In February 1941, the U.S. Army began adopting the British 6-pounder anti-tank (AT) gun from the U.S. production line, which resulted in the "57mm gun M1".

Gun manufacture began a year later, and all of these early shipments were shipped overseas.

As the existing 37mm models began to show their limitations against heavier enemy armor, American war planners did not lose the effectiveness of the design, they needed to have an effective weapon of their own to kill tanks. Changes were made to the 57mm M1, mainly on the carriage components using American wheels and tires, resulting in the "M1A1" model.

The improved free-travel capability added in mid-1942 gave rise to the M1A2 name, and an entirely new car design ushered in the "M1A3" in 1943. Equipped with a new tow hook, the model became the first official M1 version commissioned by the U.S. Army.

Further changes were made to the wagon components to produce the 1944 "M2" and the 1945 "M2A1" - the former had a right trailing arm steering wheel, relocated track handles and a brand new utility box, while the latter introduced Improved lift gearbox arrangement.

The series eventually replaced the existing 37mm M3 artillery stock still in service with the US Army and conducted its first combat operations in North Africa. AP projectiles are the only ammunition available to the M1 crew, which limits the weapon's flexibility against softer targets.

At the start of the 1944-1945 war it had evolved from light and medium to medium and heavy against most German frontline tanks, but it proved to be only marginally effective.

However, this weapon remained in service until the end of the war, with a total of around 15,000 examples of this type made. After the war, with the advent of more effective means of intercepting enemy tanks, the 57mm M1 gun line was quickly eliminated.

Specification

Basic

Dimensions

Performance

for everyone else in our database)

Armor

Depends on the ammunition carrier.

Changes