Stories about weapons. Evil devout: M7 and M7B1 Priest self-propelled howitzers
Reading the materials, of which there are many today, including on our pages, about any combat vehicles of the Second World War, you are simply amazed at the attitude of the authors towards them. The machine is successful and unsuccessful, but it played a role in the war. And if you do not like this car, then you just can not tell about it. You can tell about her performance characteristics, weapons, booking, power plant. But not about the soul!
Any combat vehicle is above all a soul. This is a living organism. This is part of the crew. This is a soldier who does his job, in spite of his armament, his lag or, conversely, superiority, in characteristics ... This is a soldier! A soldier must love! Anyone! Just because it is a soldier!
We talk a lot about cars, which during the Second World War created a huge amount. Moreover, we like to tell and show the technique that should be called the workers of the war.
Not heroes, not the best of the best, but simple laborers. Talk about those who died in the course of the world meat grinder daily. He died heroically only because he stood and did not run away from more advanced, more armed, more modern, outnumbering ...
Today, the talk about the car, which many of our readers predicted after the material about tank M3 "Lee" (M3 Lee). About the self-propelled gun 105-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7.
Self-propelled howitzer, which, despite the wretchedness of its predecessor, received very good marks almost immediately after its military debut.
The Americans understood perfectly well that the mechanization of the army required the creation of not only tanks, but also self-propelled vehicles. artillery, armored personnel carriers, transport vehicles. The army must be mobile not only with its combat units, but with its entire structure. A lag in the movement of any component threatened to lose the combat capability of the entire military unit.
It is for this reason that the American designers have thought about the creation of ACS already in 1940 year. The reason is that here we agree with some authors of the BTT research, such an interest was the success of the German army. And the German self-propelled guns in general became a discovery for Americans.
It should be noted that howitzers on a tank chassis were not the first machines of this class in the United States. The first chassis, which decided to be used for ACS, became МХNUMX. But not tanks, but half-tracked armored personnel carriers. Two howitzers were used at once. 3-mm mountain M75А1 and 1-mm field М105А2. As you can see, the search for the optimum went not only in terms of the chassis, but also of a sufficient caliber of gun.
The first American self-propelled howitzers, more precisely, according to American tradition, motor crews with a howitzer (Howitzer Motor Carriage) were with these tools and had the designation T30 NMS for howitzer М1А1 and Т19 НМС for howitzer М2А1.
Machines proved unsuitable for war. Especially T19. However, not accepted by the military ACS still launched into production. On bezrybe and cancer fish. The 500 machines T30 and 324 T19 were released. Issued with the original wording for the army technology - partially suitable. The type of glasses worn, flat-footed and at night that ...
Later, the war confirmed the verdict of the military. By the way, for those who did not understand the indexes of cars. The letter "T" means that this is just a prototype, the initial version, not adopted for service.
Both cars took part in battles in Italy, the Philippines, in North Africa. In all battles they suffered huge losses. Moreover, for the T19 NMS any shot howitzer with a normal angle of elevation was almost a feat. A sufficiently large caliber of the gun proved destructive for the BTR chassis.
And then the military got down to business. Most of our readers, as people of service, further actions are already clear. There is a tank that is commercially available - the M3 "Lee." There is a 105-mm howitzer. And there are eggheads who do not understand the need to create high-quality self-propelled howitzers.
The commander of the US Army Tank Forces, Major-General Jacob Devers, ordered the designers of the Baldwin Locomotive firm to install a howitzer on the M3 tank instead of a cannon. It's simple. Manufacturers of locomotives did not disappoint. Already in October, 1941, two samples of 105-mm self-propelled howitzers were at the test site.
Actually, it came together so well, right? The general understands that if they cannot create their own, they need to do something. And do it quickly. So, you need to attract those who stupidly execute a stupid order in the style of "I do not care, but that was ready in the morning."
In the end - voila! Two weeks of shock work with heads and sledgehammers in the locomotive design bureau - and the self-propelled gun goes to the testing ground! On the move!
The military was really shocked by the technical solutions of railway workers. On the machines T32 (that is how the two objects were designated) were field howitzers almost intact. Well, lightly sawed, so that the gun got into the wheelhouse, which turned out when processing the tank with a sledgehammer and rasp ...
The gun stood on its standard carriage, including the lower machine and part of the bedding in the armored rectangular wheelhouse.
The result of the test the military liked. The cars were taken to Fort Knox for some upgrades. In particular, army officers insisted on strengthening the felling reservation. At the same time, given the place of the ACS in battle, they went to reduce the angle of elevation of the gun. Well, the traditional anti-aircraft machine gun.
It is in this form that the T32 was adopted under the designation 105-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 in April 1942. And literally in a matter of days, mass production of new ACS began. The first cars were assembled at the American Locomotive Company. But alas, after the release of 2814 machines, production was stopped in the 1943 year. Logically story M7 on this was supposed to end.
But in war as in war. Already in March of the following year, the cars again began to leave the workshops of the factories. From March 1944 to October of the same year, 500 machines were released. A total of 3490 ACS M7 was released (from October 1942 to February 1945). But in March of 1945, the need for cars increased again.
With 1944, the base for the M7 Priest (M7 Priest) has become another tank, the M4 Sherman. Naturally, the new chassis and experience of fighting somewhat changed the car. Now Priest has received folding sides, a solid-molded part of the hull and small changes in the chassis.
The number of new "Priests", now under the index М7В1, issued for the year - 826 units.
In total, the front received 4316 ACS M7 of both modifications (April 1942-February 1945). That is the story.
What is so interesting we can see in the car, which according to some researchers, was not at all something outstanding? Why, for example, is this car still respected in some countries? Why, even in the 70-s of the 20 century, did this old woman (or was she an old man?) Show herself very worthily in the Doomsday War? In short, we go to feel, pull and twist ...
Let's start with the "real" M7. Those that were created on the basis of "General Lee". If you look at this car carefully, it becomes clear that the chassis, engine and transmission are fully tank. Moreover, even the specific features of the M3 Lee are preserved.
The very sponson that Lee had and which thereby “twisted” the tank’s face somewhat, remained almost unchanged. The front part of the body, which was assembled from 3's cast parts, retained the lower right part. Like the Lee, the left and center were higher than the right.
In later machines based on the Sherman М4 (М7В1) this feature is absent. Preserved true overall design feature - three parts. But now they were all the same height.
Even the bolts that connected the parts of the forehead and the forehead itself was attached to the body and the whole plate remained. By the way, despite the archaism of bolt fastening, this decision had a very rational explanation. The casting of the nose of the car was at the same time the differential housing and final drives.
Thus, when repairing these units, as well as the gearbox, it was enough just to unscrew the bolts. Thereby disassemble the nose and repair or replace. Agree, in the field this opportunity is worth a lot. If the bolts do not warp and not jam.
Further chopping. Conventional welding from 12,7-mm armor plates. There is no roof. In front of the made loophole for howitzers. Field Gun, 105-mm field howitzer М2А1. An interesting detail, which for some reason do not pay attention. Howitzer is armored. Yes, the reservation is small, but it is.
As mentioned above, the military when creating this machine went for some deterioration in the combat properties of the howitzers. The gun had a fairly small vertical pointing angle: from -5 to + 35 degrees. It is caused by the fact that with a larger angle of elevation, the howitzer when fired rested against the body of the machine. Therefore, even 35 degrees can be considered more technical data than actually used in combat.
But the gun could be induced horizontally. That with fixed wheelhouse is a serious plus. The angle of horizontal guidance to the right was + 30 degrees. But with horizontal guidance to the left were problems. Thank you daddy "Lee." To the left along the horizon a howitzer was aimed only at 15 degrees.
In general, the impression of the conning tower is not very. It was not easy to fire the whole crew there. One of the authors even had a crazy idea that someone had to be on the armor or in the turret with a machine gun. Turning around, and even with a projectile in the hands of a normal man, but the weak men were not taken into artillery, is problematic.
Considering that the crew was a crew of 7 people, six of whom were tusked in the wheelhouse (the driver was sitting in front and below), in terms of turnibility was not very. We climbed into the wheelhouse three of us, and the opinion is - you have to be very coordinated in order to fire normally, without crippling a comrade in arms. A shell on the head, for example.
On the right side of the conning tower there was the very same hello from daddy, the rest of the sponson, to whom Priest owes the fact that he was called so - a special cylindrical turret, in which a machine gun was mounted on the turret. This is the usual Browning M12,7HB 2-mm anti-aircraft gun with ammunition for Americans of that period. Machine gun relied 300 cartridges.
In the version M7 howitzer ammunition was 57 unitary shots. Shells were of four kinds. Cumulative, high-explosive, incendiary and smoke. Accordingly, the crew could vary the number of different ammunition to complete the assigned tasks, increasing the number needed in the specific situation.
For machines M7В1, 12 shells were added to the ammunition. True, such generosity was paid for by the disappearance of one seat in the conning tower. But, not to fat, I would live.
The howitzer SAU had excellent characteristics for its class. The maximum firing range was higher than that of similar Wehrmacht machines - 10 424 m! Almost twice as far as the Germans! And the rate of fire - 8 shots per minute allowed to effectively fire at the enemy.
Further in the direction of travel, in the aft part of the machine was already known to us from the M3 "Li" 9-cylinder, four-stroke, star-shaped carburetor engine with air cooling Continental R-975-EC2. The engine at 2400 rpm had a power 340 l / s.
Here it is necessary to clarify the feature of the later M7B1. On these machines, the engine was different. Continental R-975-C1. What is clear, since it was precisely this engine that the Shermans were equipped with. The R-975-C1 was more powerful than its predecessor on 10.
The engine was greedy to impossibility. With fuel tanks in liters of 662,5 and weight of the machine in tons of 23, he accelerated the ACS to 38,6 km / h and had a power reserve of just 193 km. For the battle, this speed was enough but it was enough, but the quick movements outside the battlefield were not enough.
A little bit about the transmission. It is again standard for the M3 tank. To save space, simply list the units. Main friction dry friction mounted inside the engine flywheel. Cardan shaft. Transmission, five-speed with synchronizers. Double differential type "Kletpak". Onboard gears
So, in an embrace with a box, the driver was sitting.
Chassis also completely copies the tank. The same six rubber rollers in three balancing carts. The same buffer springs holding the carts. Three supporting rink. The same front wheel drive with removable rims. The same crank mechanism tension caterpillars on the guide wheel in the stern. Rubber caterpillars are finely ground pinwheels on 79 tracks each.
In general, the car turned out. With all the flaws, it was still a self-propelled howitzer. Even though the Americans themselves, almost immediately after the introduction of the more modern self-propelled howitzers of the M1945 self-propelled guns in January 37, transferred them to a "replacement standard."
To understand some of the features of the machine, you just need to remember some operations involving "Priests." Recall to emphasize the bad and good qualities of the machine.
So, the operation to capture Sicily. "Priests" perfectly landed from the ships. This is not a floating machine. Nevertheless, even with a sufficiently serious water level, the SAU went ashore and went into battle, supporting the paratroopers.
In the same place, SAUs were first used not for their intended purpose - firing from closed positions, as is customary for howitzers, but for firing direct fire. Completely successful shooting. They suppressed the enemy's artillery.
The war in the Philippines. The US Army deployed three M7 battalions. Here one more side of this car appeared. In the Philippines, the M7 Priest was a self-propelled assault gun!
There are also small soldiers' tricks connected with the angle of vertical pointing of the howitzer. The fact is that when adopting the SAU for armament, army generals did not take into account one factor. Machines must fight not only on the plain, but also on mountainous and hilly terrain.
And it was here that they remembered a small angle of vertical guidance. When firing from gentle descents, the howitzer could not show the firing range required by the infantry. Instead of the 10 + km put, the guns fired several kilometers closer.
Those who are fluent in English are well aware that it is not worse than Russian, it is great. And it contains enough greasy expressions to make it perform the required task. Crews of self-propelled guns quickly mastered the new method of shooting from the Priest.
The car was driven to a specially created slide. Simply put, poured earthen shaft and put the car "nose up." You can not raise the howitzer, but you can raise the entire machine entirely. The effect is the same. Required range achieved.
The combat life of the M7 "Priests" began with participation in the most famous battle in the West - the battle of El Alamein in October 1942. Western historians compare this battle with the Kursk. In order to understand everything, just look at the number of armored vehicles in both battles and the number of casualties. The comparison is just funny, but okay, let them say ...
Americans for some reason did not begin to create modifications of the "Priest". But the British did it almost immediately after receiving the first cars. As early as November 1942, in Africa, one could see “Priests” armored personnel carriers and “Priests” artillery observation vehicles. Yes, and on the very ACS appeared small, but improvements. For example, cast covers of the transmission compartment.
Officially, the M7 Priest had two modifications. First Priest Kangaroo (Priest Kangaroo). Created at the initiative of the commander of the 2 Canadian Corps, Lieutenant General G. Symonds in early August 1944, during the attack on Falaise. 76 ACS Priest were disarmed. Embrasures brewed. Boards have increased bronelistami.
Thus turned out the BTR. From the original weapons there was only a machine gun. According to various sources, the BTR could transport soldiers from 15 to 20. “Kangaroo” was given the soldier’s nickname “Stripping” or, literally, “priest, devoid of dignity” (defrocked Priest).
Another car that looks very similar to the "Kangaroo" was called "Priest OR". They also removed all the artillery weapons. Instead, they installed an additional radio station, a field telephone and other equipment necessary for an artillery gunner. "Priest OR" was precisely the machine of artillery observers-gunners.
Well, the third option ACS. True, to participate in the battles of this modification failed. She ended her century at the Aberdeen range artillery. But she was. The T51 or 25-lb self-propelled howitzer. M7 re-armed and installed on it 25-pound (87,5-mm) British howitzer in July 1942 of the year. but according to the results of the tests, the machine was found not to meet the requirements of the army.
The life of the "Priests" was long enough. Even in the USA, these machines were in service until the 50s of the last century. And there were "Priests" British, Argentine, French, Portuguese, Turkish and many more countries.
Yes, and to fight these "priests" finished almost 30 years after the end of the Second World War. The last officially recorded battle of these machines occurred in the 1973 year during the Doomsday War. It was then that the Israeli gunners last hit the enemies of these honored veterans for the last time.
And now the traditional tactical and technical characteristics (machines improved series M7B1):
Dimensions:
- length (with forward gun): 5,77 m;
- width: 2,8 m;
- height: 2,9 m
Mass: 23 t
Crew: 7 people
Engine: 9-cylinder radial gasoline engine of air cooling "Continental" R 975 EC, HP power 400 (294 kW) at 2500 rpm
Maximum speed: 40 km / h on the highway
Power reserve: 260 km on the highway
Booking:
- forehead: 103 mm;
- board, feed: mm 38
Armament: 105-mm gun M2A1, 12,7-mm machine gun M2HB
Ammunition: 69 shots, 600 ammo
Obstacle obstacles:
- ford depth 0,91 m;
- wall height 0,61 m;
- ditch width 2,26 m;
- lifting angle 30 °
Who did not believe that from the very candy is not obtained? Not always, agree. But here's an example when it turned out.
Any combat vehicle is above all a soul. This is a living organism. This is part of the crew. This is a soldier who does his job, in spite of his armament, his lag or, conversely, superiority, in characteristics ... This is a soldier! A soldier must love! Anyone! Just because it is a soldier!
We talk a lot about cars, which during the Second World War created a huge amount. Moreover, we like to tell and show the technique that should be called the workers of the war.
Not heroes, not the best of the best, but simple laborers. Talk about those who died in the course of the world meat grinder daily. He died heroically only because he stood and did not run away from more advanced, more armed, more modern, outnumbering ...
Today, the talk about the car, which many of our readers predicted after the material about tank M3 "Lee" (M3 Lee). About the self-propelled gun 105-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7.
Self-propelled howitzer, which, despite the wretchedness of its predecessor, received very good marks almost immediately after its military debut.
The Americans understood perfectly well that the mechanization of the army required the creation of not only tanks, but also self-propelled vehicles. artillery, armored personnel carriers, transport vehicles. The army must be mobile not only with its combat units, but with its entire structure. A lag in the movement of any component threatened to lose the combat capability of the entire military unit.
It is for this reason that the American designers have thought about the creation of ACS already in 1940 year. The reason is that here we agree with some authors of the BTT research, such an interest was the success of the German army. And the German self-propelled guns in general became a discovery for Americans.
It should be noted that howitzers on a tank chassis were not the first machines of this class in the United States. The first chassis, which decided to be used for ACS, became МХNUMX. But not tanks, but half-tracked armored personnel carriers. Two howitzers were used at once. 3-mm mountain M75А1 and 1-mm field М105А2. As you can see, the search for the optimum went not only in terms of the chassis, but also of a sufficient caliber of gun.
The first American self-propelled howitzers, more precisely, according to American tradition, motor crews with a howitzer (Howitzer Motor Carriage) were with these tools and had the designation T30 NMS for howitzer М1А1 and Т19 НМС for howitzer М2А1.
T30
T19
Machines proved unsuitable for war. Especially T19. However, not accepted by the military ACS still launched into production. On bezrybe and cancer fish. The 500 machines T30 and 324 T19 were released. Issued with the original wording for the army technology - partially suitable. The type of glasses worn, flat-footed and at night that ...
Later, the war confirmed the verdict of the military. By the way, for those who did not understand the indexes of cars. The letter "T" means that this is just a prototype, the initial version, not adopted for service.
Both cars took part in battles in Italy, the Philippines, in North Africa. In all battles they suffered huge losses. Moreover, for the T19 NMS any shot howitzer with a normal angle of elevation was almost a feat. A sufficiently large caliber of the gun proved destructive for the BTR chassis.
And then the military got down to business. Most of our readers, as people of service, further actions are already clear. There is a tank that is commercially available - the M3 "Lee." There is a 105-mm howitzer. And there are eggheads who do not understand the need to create high-quality self-propelled howitzers.
The commander of the US Army Tank Forces, Major-General Jacob Devers, ordered the designers of the Baldwin Locomotive firm to install a howitzer on the M3 tank instead of a cannon. It's simple. Manufacturers of locomotives did not disappoint. Already in October, 1941, two samples of 105-mm self-propelled howitzers were at the test site.
Actually, it came together so well, right? The general understands that if they cannot create their own, they need to do something. And do it quickly. So, you need to attract those who stupidly execute a stupid order in the style of "I do not care, but that was ready in the morning."
In the end - voila! Two weeks of shock work with heads and sledgehammers in the locomotive design bureau - and the self-propelled gun goes to the testing ground! On the move!
The military was really shocked by the technical solutions of railway workers. On the machines T32 (that is how the two objects were designated) were field howitzers almost intact. Well, lightly sawed, so that the gun got into the wheelhouse, which turned out when processing the tank with a sledgehammer and rasp ...
The gun stood on its standard carriage, including the lower machine and part of the bedding in the armored rectangular wheelhouse.
The result of the test the military liked. The cars were taken to Fort Knox for some upgrades. In particular, army officers insisted on strengthening the felling reservation. At the same time, given the place of the ACS in battle, they went to reduce the angle of elevation of the gun. Well, the traditional anti-aircraft machine gun.
It is in this form that the T32 was adopted under the designation 105-mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M7 in April 1942. And literally in a matter of days, mass production of new ACS began. The first cars were assembled at the American Locomotive Company. But alas, after the release of 2814 machines, production was stopped in the 1943 year. Logically story M7 on this was supposed to end.
But in war as in war. Already in March of the following year, the cars again began to leave the workshops of the factories. From March 1944 to October of the same year, 500 machines were released. A total of 3490 ACS M7 was released (from October 1942 to February 1945). But in March of 1945, the need for cars increased again.
With 1944, the base for the M7 Priest (M7 Priest) has become another tank, the M4 Sherman. Naturally, the new chassis and experience of fighting somewhat changed the car. Now Priest has received folding sides, a solid-molded part of the hull and small changes in the chassis.
The number of new "Priests", now under the index М7В1, issued for the year - 826 units.
In total, the front received 4316 ACS M7 of both modifications (April 1942-February 1945). That is the story.
What is so interesting we can see in the car, which according to some researchers, was not at all something outstanding? Why, for example, is this car still respected in some countries? Why, even in the 70-s of the 20 century, did this old woman (or was she an old man?) Show herself very worthily in the Doomsday War? In short, we go to feel, pull and twist ...
Let's start with the "real" M7. Those that were created on the basis of "General Lee". If you look at this car carefully, it becomes clear that the chassis, engine and transmission are fully tank. Moreover, even the specific features of the M3 Lee are preserved.
The very sponson that Lee had and which thereby “twisted” the tank’s face somewhat, remained almost unchanged. The front part of the body, which was assembled from 3's cast parts, retained the lower right part. Like the Lee, the left and center were higher than the right.
In later machines based on the Sherman М4 (М7В1) this feature is absent. Preserved true overall design feature - three parts. But now they were all the same height.
Even the bolts that connected the parts of the forehead and the forehead itself was attached to the body and the whole plate remained. By the way, despite the archaism of bolt fastening, this decision had a very rational explanation. The casting of the nose of the car was at the same time the differential housing and final drives.
Thus, when repairing these units, as well as the gearbox, it was enough just to unscrew the bolts. Thereby disassemble the nose and repair or replace. Agree, in the field this opportunity is worth a lot. If the bolts do not warp and not jam.
Further chopping. Conventional welding from 12,7-mm armor plates. There is no roof. In front of the made loophole for howitzers. Field Gun, 105-mm field howitzer М2А1. An interesting detail, which for some reason do not pay attention. Howitzer is armored. Yes, the reservation is small, but it is.
As mentioned above, the military when creating this machine went for some deterioration in the combat properties of the howitzers. The gun had a fairly small vertical pointing angle: from -5 to + 35 degrees. It is caused by the fact that with a larger angle of elevation, the howitzer when fired rested against the body of the machine. Therefore, even 35 degrees can be considered more technical data than actually used in combat.
But the gun could be induced horizontally. That with fixed wheelhouse is a serious plus. The angle of horizontal guidance to the right was + 30 degrees. But with horizontal guidance to the left were problems. Thank you daddy "Lee." To the left along the horizon a howitzer was aimed only at 15 degrees.
In general, the impression of the conning tower is not very. It was not easy to fire the whole crew there. One of the authors even had a crazy idea that someone had to be on the armor or in the turret with a machine gun. Turning around, and even with a projectile in the hands of a normal man, but the weak men were not taken into artillery, is problematic.
Considering that the crew was a crew of 7 people, six of whom were tusked in the wheelhouse (the driver was sitting in front and below), in terms of turnibility was not very. We climbed into the wheelhouse three of us, and the opinion is - you have to be very coordinated in order to fire normally, without crippling a comrade in arms. A shell on the head, for example.
On the right side of the conning tower there was the very same hello from daddy, the rest of the sponson, to whom Priest owes the fact that he was called so - a special cylindrical turret, in which a machine gun was mounted on the turret. This is the usual Browning M12,7HB 2-mm anti-aircraft gun with ammunition for Americans of that period. Machine gun relied 300 cartridges.
In the version M7 howitzer ammunition was 57 unitary shots. Shells were of four kinds. Cumulative, high-explosive, incendiary and smoke. Accordingly, the crew could vary the number of different ammunition to complete the assigned tasks, increasing the number needed in the specific situation.
For machines M7В1, 12 shells were added to the ammunition. True, such generosity was paid for by the disappearance of one seat in the conning tower. But, not to fat, I would live.
The howitzer SAU had excellent characteristics for its class. The maximum firing range was higher than that of similar Wehrmacht machines - 10 424 m! Almost twice as far as the Germans! And the rate of fire - 8 shots per minute allowed to effectively fire at the enemy.
Further in the direction of travel, in the aft part of the machine was already known to us from the M3 "Li" 9-cylinder, four-stroke, star-shaped carburetor engine with air cooling Continental R-975-EC2. The engine at 2400 rpm had a power 340 l / s.
Here it is necessary to clarify the feature of the later M7B1. On these machines, the engine was different. Continental R-975-C1. What is clear, since it was precisely this engine that the Shermans were equipped with. The R-975-C1 was more powerful than its predecessor on 10.
The engine was greedy to impossibility. With fuel tanks in liters of 662,5 and weight of the machine in tons of 23, he accelerated the ACS to 38,6 km / h and had a power reserve of just 193 km. For the battle, this speed was enough but it was enough, but the quick movements outside the battlefield were not enough.
A little bit about the transmission. It is again standard for the M3 tank. To save space, simply list the units. Main friction dry friction mounted inside the engine flywheel. Cardan shaft. Transmission, five-speed with synchronizers. Double differential type "Kletpak". Onboard gears
So, in an embrace with a box, the driver was sitting.
Chassis also completely copies the tank. The same six rubber rollers in three balancing carts. The same buffer springs holding the carts. Three supporting rink. The same front wheel drive with removable rims. The same crank mechanism tension caterpillars on the guide wheel in the stern. Rubber caterpillars are finely ground pinwheels on 79 tracks each.
In general, the car turned out. With all the flaws, it was still a self-propelled howitzer. Even though the Americans themselves, almost immediately after the introduction of the more modern self-propelled howitzers of the M1945 self-propelled guns in January 37, transferred them to a "replacement standard."
To understand some of the features of the machine, you just need to remember some operations involving "Priests." Recall to emphasize the bad and good qualities of the machine.
So, the operation to capture Sicily. "Priests" perfectly landed from the ships. This is not a floating machine. Nevertheless, even with a sufficiently serious water level, the SAU went ashore and went into battle, supporting the paratroopers.
In the same place, SAUs were first used not for their intended purpose - firing from closed positions, as is customary for howitzers, but for firing direct fire. Completely successful shooting. They suppressed the enemy's artillery.
The war in the Philippines. The US Army deployed three M7 battalions. Here one more side of this car appeared. In the Philippines, the M7 Priest was a self-propelled assault gun!
Specifically, this is Okinawa.
There are also small soldiers' tricks connected with the angle of vertical pointing of the howitzer. The fact is that when adopting the SAU for armament, army generals did not take into account one factor. Machines must fight not only on the plain, but also on mountainous and hilly terrain.
And it was here that they remembered a small angle of vertical guidance. When firing from gentle descents, the howitzer could not show the firing range required by the infantry. Instead of the 10 + km put, the guns fired several kilometers closer.
Those who are fluent in English are well aware that it is not worse than Russian, it is great. And it contains enough greasy expressions to make it perform the required task. Crews of self-propelled guns quickly mastered the new method of shooting from the Priest.
The car was driven to a specially created slide. Simply put, poured earthen shaft and put the car "nose up." You can not raise the howitzer, but you can raise the entire machine entirely. The effect is the same. Required range achieved.
The combat life of the M7 "Priests" began with participation in the most famous battle in the West - the battle of El Alamein in October 1942. Western historians compare this battle with the Kursk. In order to understand everything, just look at the number of armored vehicles in both battles and the number of casualties. The comparison is just funny, but okay, let them say ...
Americans for some reason did not begin to create modifications of the "Priest". But the British did it almost immediately after receiving the first cars. As early as November 1942, in Africa, one could see “Priests” armored personnel carriers and “Priests” artillery observation vehicles. Yes, and on the very ACS appeared small, but improvements. For example, cast covers of the transmission compartment.
Officially, the M7 Priest had two modifications. First Priest Kangaroo (Priest Kangaroo). Created at the initiative of the commander of the 2 Canadian Corps, Lieutenant General G. Symonds in early August 1944, during the attack on Falaise. 76 ACS Priest were disarmed. Embrasures brewed. Boards have increased bronelistami.
Thus turned out the BTR. From the original weapons there was only a machine gun. According to various sources, the BTR could transport soldiers from 15 to 20. “Kangaroo” was given the soldier’s nickname “Stripping” or, literally, “priest, devoid of dignity” (defrocked Priest).
Another car that looks very similar to the "Kangaroo" was called "Priest OR". They also removed all the artillery weapons. Instead, they installed an additional radio station, a field telephone and other equipment necessary for an artillery gunner. "Priest OR" was precisely the machine of artillery observers-gunners.
Well, the third option ACS. True, to participate in the battles of this modification failed. She ended her century at the Aberdeen range artillery. But she was. The T51 or 25-lb self-propelled howitzer. M7 re-armed and installed on it 25-pound (87,5-mm) British howitzer in July 1942 of the year. but according to the results of the tests, the machine was found not to meet the requirements of the army.
The life of the "Priests" was long enough. Even in the USA, these machines were in service until the 50s of the last century. And there were "Priests" British, Argentine, French, Portuguese, Turkish and many more countries.
Yes, and to fight these "priests" finished almost 30 years after the end of the Second World War. The last officially recorded battle of these machines occurred in the 1973 year during the Doomsday War. It was then that the Israeli gunners last hit the enemies of these honored veterans for the last time.
And now the traditional tactical and technical characteristics (machines improved series M7B1):
Dimensions:
- length (with forward gun): 5,77 m;
- width: 2,8 m;
- height: 2,9 m
Mass: 23 t
Crew: 7 people
Engine: 9-cylinder radial gasoline engine of air cooling "Continental" R 975 EC, HP power 400 (294 kW) at 2500 rpm
Maximum speed: 40 km / h on the highway
Power reserve: 260 km on the highway
Booking:
- forehead: 103 mm;
- board, feed: mm 38
Armament: 105-mm gun M2A1, 12,7-mm machine gun M2HB
Ammunition: 69 shots, 600 ammo
Obstacle obstacles:
- ford depth 0,91 m;
- wall height 0,61 m;
- ditch width 2,26 m;
- lifting angle 30 °
Who did not believe that from the very candy is not obtained? Not always, agree. But here's an example when it turned out.
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