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M75 APC

1952 ARMORED PERSONNEL CARRIER COLD WAR KOREAN WAR

History

During World War II, it was common practice to use whatever vehicle was available at the time to transport troops in and out of theater. The primary drive for most armies during the conflict became the multi-faceted "half-track," combining the front-wheel-drive components of a standard military truck with rear-wheel-drive components similar to those of a main battle tank. The wheel/track hybrid nature of the design ensures that the vehicle can traverse most operating environments, including mud, snow and shallow springs.

However, all half-tracks are very simple in design, with passengers protected by simple armored walls and no standard heavy-duty roof. As a result, infantry is exposed to harsh conditions (unless tarpaulins are deployed), and - of course, greater damage - artillery fire and small arms.

In any case, half-tracks were in use throughout the conflict, were relatively inexpensive to produce, and were available in considerable numbers.

For the U.S. military, the days of the half-track as an armored personnel carrier came to an end after World War II. Begin development of a fully enclosed armored tracked vehicle to transport troops in relative safety. The M44 model, designed to transport 24 combat-ready infantrymen, was born from the T16 pilot vehicle, which was based on the chassis of the famous M18 "Hellcat" tank destroyer.

However, this vehicle proved too bulky for the long-term needs of the U.S. Army, necessitating another, more compact solution for armored vehicles.

Since the main role of the M75 is to transport troops, the vehicle is equipped with a heavy 12.7mm Browning M2 machine gun that can counter lightly armored vehicles and low-flying aircraft. This weapon can also be used against infantry with deadly consequences. The ship carried 1,800 rounds of .50 caliber ammunition.

It turned out to be a common practice for the crew to carry M20 Super Bazooka along with 10-round reloads and their personal pistol of choice, most commonly the compact M1 carbine. In addition, the vehicle can be defended by handguns carried by the passengers.

The M75 had brief field service with the U.S. Army. Although it served in the Korean War (1950-1953), only 1,729 total were actually delivered. The car only lasted in the U.S. Army's inventory until the late 1950s, when it was replaced by the more compact and cheaper M59 series.

The M59 served in the Vietnam War, and its total production reached about 6,300 before being replaced by the venerable M113 series. One of the major drawbacks of the M75 is its high unit price, which limits large purchase orders. After serving in the United States, the former Army M75 was transferred to Belgium through a military aid package.

These vehicles have a much longer lifespan than those that existed in the United States, which were only retired in the 1980s.

Both the M75 and its successor, the M59, have had a significant impact on the design and overall configuration of the M113, which has served extensively in various major and minor conflicts since its introduction, while it was used by US allies around the world in 1960, Over 80,000 copies were produced, making it a Cold War-era success story.