Confirming the rule that armies always prepare to fight the previous war, the idea of tanks fighting tanks was an anathema to the U.S. Army of the 1930s, just as it had been to the combatants of the First World War, who used tanks supported by infantry to assault positions held by infantry, not to fight other tanks. Defense against massed enemy armor was just that – defense. Aggressive anti-tank tactics was a doctrine forced on the American army by the Wehrmacht's romp across Poland in September 1939.   The German’s success forced the Americans to build from scratch an anti-tank capacity, which culminated in the formation of the Tank Destroyer Forces.

After being tested in the Fall 1941 maneuvers, the anti-tank concept won a certain independence from the infantry and field artillery. This independence was limited due to a continuous and rancorous debate of the doctrine and use of AT forces. While there was agreement on the necessity of such formations, the head of each of the existing combat arms, except Armor, wanted responsibility for these new units.

In early December 1941, putting an aggressive spin on the "anti-tank" function, the battalions were renamed Tank Destroyer, and a Tank Destroyer Tactical and Firing Center was activated at Ft. Meade, Maryland. The Center was moved shortly thereafter to Camp Hood, Texas, where it was enlarged in March 1942 to form the Tank Destroyer Command, whose mission was to coordinate the creation and training of the new units.

 

The aggressive spin that attached to the title "Tank Destroyer" was based on the mobility, speed, and tactics these units possessed in theory. Often, however, the practical function of motorized TD units was reconnaissance, a function inconsistent with two-thirds of their "Seek, Strike, Destroy" motto. Initially, lack of adequate firepower posed an unwarranted liability to the success of these units’ primary mission of combating enemy armor, and the Army's Ordnance Department never ceased its efforts to improve the armament of Tank Destroyer forces. 

There were many high-level discussions of "light" and "medium" versions of tank destroyer vehicles and weapons. With their low velocities and small calibers, both the 37-mm and 57-mm rounds were totally inadequate against enemy armor; German armor, in particular, which was specially designed to resist larger-caliber penetrating rounds. Ordnance test results were embarrassing: the tiny 37-mm shells were unable to pierce relatively thin wood even at a range of less than 100 yards, yet 37-mm guns were ordered in large quantities, probably to appease influential congressmen. The 37-mm and 57-mm guns had limited success against Japanese armor. Incredibly, the 37-mm guns were installed in the rear decks of M-6 trucks ("Fargos"), which were little more than stretch Jeeps. North Africa proved how vulnerable and unsuccessful these armed M-6 trucks were. Ordnance even experimented with a 37-mm half-track jeep, but that combination never left the proving grounds. Towed-gun battalions were subsequently armed with 76-mm cannons.

Ultimately, a French 75-mm gun was installed in a half-track. The 75-mm gun was woefully outclassed by the infamous German 88-mm gun, which featured a 28" to 30" high-velocity round. The thinly-armored half-tracks were not as fast as German armor, and they presented very high silhouettes as targets. Additionally, the half-track had to face the target during firing: its gun could not traverse.

Gen. Lucian Truscott, who rose from command of the 5th Cavalry Regiment to command of the 5th Army during the war years, used the Kasserine Pass debacle to underscore the inadequacy of the TD units’ firepower:

"My Tunisian experience also provided me with an outstanding example of how American soldiers can be indoctrinated in training. Our tank destroyer battalions, organized only a few months previous, with no historical prototype, equipped with an improvised weapon – an almost unarmored half-track mounting an entirely inadequate 75-mm gun – had been taught during their training that it was their duty to seek out and destroy enemy tanks. The number of half-tracks which these gallant units left on the Tunisian deserts was mute testimony to the superiority of German armor, and antitank guns. It was also evidence of the efficacy of their indoctrination, a mark that I was to note among these units throughout the war."

 

 

The American M2/M3 halftrack series with all of it's variants affords the modeller tremendous opportunity for project ideas.  I was forutunate to be at Euromilitare in 2006 when Dragon unveiled the M2/M2A1 to much acclaim.  Later, I built a version of the M2 using the DML kit along with the extensive Lionroar photo etch upgrade set.  That was quite the project!  Recently, I was commissioned to build this M3 75 mm Motor Gun Carraige, and although I would be using a Griffon barrel and photo etch set I would have latitude in choosing those items that I felt would enhance the vehicle.

 

 

The Project

As is usually the case, work commences with the chassis and suspension areas.  As has often been noted the engineering and fit of this area is outstanding; the split tracks being a key feature.  The few small details I chose to add in this area were the drain holes on the boogies and exhaust pipe bracket.   I decided to spend a little more time detailing the cab.  Here I made more extensive use of the Griffon photo etch set, expecially as it pertained to the dashboard.   Further detailing came by the use of Archer Transfers for the dial faces.   The dials were given a drop of Future to seal and give a glass appearance, then protected from the painting using liquid mask.

The prominent feature of the rear fighting compartment is the 75mm gun.  The gun is a fine representation as provided by Griffon, including bore rifling.  When it came to affixing the gun to the gun travel I did have some fit issues with the retaining brackets; they just seemed too small.   After some careful bending and coaxing I was finally able to get them into place.  Below the gun pedestal sits the ready ammo box, also provided by Griffon.  Included with the ammo box are a full compliment of brass 75mm rounds to enhance the final presentation.

 

 

The remainder of the build mostly stayed true to the instructions.  I took advantage of the kit supplied brass radiator louvers, and substituted the Griffon side fuel can holders for the hard cast DML version.  The tarp on the rear is an excellent resin piece from Plus Model, as is the bedroll on the left fender.

 

Painting and Weathering

When it came to painting and finishing this M3 my client chose the scheme and markings; I was asked to portray a vehicle as seen in Tunisia in 1943 with Sand over Olive camo and a large white ID star on the hood.  The base colors were applied using green and brown shades coming from the Tamiya range.  I did spend quite a bit of time creating shifting tones with the base Olive, only to find that this effort becomes mute once the Sand color has been applied.  The Sand colors come from a variety of Vallejo yellow, ochre, and buff colors.

Weathering began with an overall application of MIG Productions Shadow Brown aritist oil color into the corners and recesses of the vehilce.  I find this is an important first step as it helps create definition and volume.  I then proceeded to apply light scuffs and scratches to the exterior and interior surfaces, always being mindful not to over-do it.  After this I applied varying colors of light acyrlic filters to the panels and surfaces.  I find this particuarly helpful to "move" the scuffs and scratches into the surface while also creating subtle color shifts to the surface.  I followed with numerous applications of MIG Productions 502 Abteilung oils to the surface, both as general filters and as dot fading. 

Over this I, for the very first time, used MIG Productions Filters of various colors.  I must say that I am particuarly impressesd by the results and will be sure to include their use in future projects.  Finally, applications of MIG pigments finished the weathering.

 

 

Commissions:

If you would like more information about having me build a project for you, please contact me at:

ricklawler@msn.com

 

 

 

Materials:

DML- M3 75 mm Motor Gun Carraige (ref# 6467)

Griffon – Ready Round Rack (ref#          GRML35A039)

Griffon – M3 Motar Carraige Full Set (ref# GRML35027)

Plus Model – Stowage for M2 Halftrack (ref# BL35109K)

Archer Fine Transfers – M2/M3 Insturment Dials and Placared (ref# AR25230)

 

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