Difference between revisions of "M3 GMC"

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== Description ==
 
== Description ==
−
''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''
+
<!--''In the description, the first part needs to be about the history of the creation and combat usage of the vehicle, as well as its key features. In the second part, tell the reader about the ground vehicle in the game. Insert the screenshot of the vehicle. If the novice player does not remember the vehicle by name, they will immediately understand what kind of vehicle it is talking about.''-->
 +
The '''75 mm GMC M3''' ('''75 mm Gun Motor Carriage M3''') is a Rank I American tank destroyer with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in [[Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory"]]. A M3 half-track with a 75 mm gun on its rear, the M3 GMC packs a punch against its rivals.
  
 
== General info ==
 
== General info ==
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
 
=== Survivability and armour ===
−
''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
+
<!--''Describe armour protection. Note the most well protected and key weak areas. Appreciate the layout of modules as well as the number and location of crew members. Is the level of armour protection sufficient, is the placement of modules helpfull for survival in combat?''
  
−
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''
+
''If necessary use a visual template to indicate the most secure and weak zones of the armour.''-->
 +
'''Armour type:'''
 +
*Rolled homogeneous armour
 +
*Structural steel (Back side)
 +
{| class="wikitable"
 +
|-
 +
! Armour !! Front !! Sides !! Rear !! Roof
 +
|-
 +
| Hull || 6.35 mm (31°) || 6.35 mm || 6.35 mm || N/A
 +
|-
 +
| Turret (Gun shield) || 12.7 mm || 12.7 mm || N/A || 12.7 mm
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
'''Notes:'''<br/>
 +
:Track thickness: 7 mm
 +
:Road wheels: 2 mm (Rubber)
 +
:Structural chassis thickness: 15 mm
  
 
=== Mobility ===
 
=== Mobility ===
−
''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''
+
<!--''Write about the mobility of the ground vehicle. Estimate the specific power and maneuverability as well as the maximum speed forward and backward.''-->
 +
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Mobility characteristic
 +
|-
 +
! Weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Add-on Armor<br>weight (tons)
 +
!colspan="1" | Max speed (km/h)
 +
|-
 +
|rowspan="2" | 9.1 || colspan="1" rowspan="2" | N/A || colspan="1" | 91 (AB)
 +
|-
 +
|84 (RB/SB)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Engine power (horsepower)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|210
 +
|259
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|131
 +
|148
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="3" | Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
 +
|-
 +
!colspan="1" | Mode
 +
!Stock
 +
!Upgraded
 +
|-
 +
|''Arcade''
 +
|22.86
 +
|28.24
 +
|-
 +
|''Realistic/Simulator''
 +
|14.28
 +
|16.15
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Armaments ==
 
== Armaments ==
−
=== Main armament ===
+
<!--''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''-->
−
''Give the reader information about the characteristics of the main gun. Assess its effectiveness in a battle based on the reloading speed, ballistics and the power of shells. Do not forget about the flexibilty of the fire, that is how quickly the cannon can be aimed at the target, open fire on it and aim at another enemy. Add a link to the main article on the gun: <code><nowiki>{{main|Name of the weapon}}</nowiki></code>. Describe in general terms the ammunition available for the main gun. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage.''
+
{{main|M1897A4 (75 mm)}}
  
−
=== Additional armament ===
+
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
−
''Some tanks are armed with several guns in one or more turrets. Evaluate the additional weaponry and give advice on its use. Describe the ammunition available for additional weaponry. Give advice on how to use them and how to fill the ammunition storage. If there is no additional weaponry remove this subsection.''
+
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | [[M1897A4 (75 mm)|75 mm M1897A4]]
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" rowspan="1" style="width:5em" |Capacity
 +
! rowspan="1" | Gun <br> Depression
 +
! rowspan="1" | Gun <br> Elevation
 +
|-
 +
| colspan="4" | 60 || -10° || 29°
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="6" | Turret rotation speed (°/s)
 +
|-
 +
! style="width:4em" |Mode
 +
! style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! style="width:4em" |Upgraded
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert Qualif.
 +
! style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace Qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| ''Arcade'' || 3.60 || 4.94 || 5.99 || 6.63 || 7.06
 +
|-
 +
| ''Realistic'' || 3.60 || 4.20 || 5.10 || 5.64 || 5.99
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="4" | Reloading rate (seconds)
 +
|-
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Stock
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Full crew
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Expert Qualif.
 +
! colspan="1" style="width:4em" |Prior + Ace Qualif.
 +
|-
 +
| 13.00 || 11.50 || 10.60 || 10.00
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
−
=== Machine guns ===
+
===== Ammunition =====
−
''Offensive and anti-aircraft machine guns not only allow you to fight some aircraft, but also are effective against lightly armoured vehicles. Evaluate machine guns and give recommendations on its use.''
+
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="8" | Penetration statistics
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" class="unsortable" | Type of <br /> warhead
 +
! colspan="6" | '''Penetration''' '''''in mm''''' '''@ 90°'''
 +
|-
 +
! 10m
 +
! 100m
 +
! 500m
 +
! 1000m
 +
! 1500m
 +
! 2000m
 +
|-
 +
| M72 shot || AP || 108 || 107 || 90 || 74 || 60 || 50
 +
|-
 +
| M48 shell || HE || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10 || 10
 +
|-
 +
| M61 shot || APCBC || 88 || 86 || 79 || 71 || 63 || 57
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center" width="100%"
 +
! colspan="10" | Shell details
 +
|-
 +
! rowspan="2" data-sort-type="text" | Ammunition
 +
! rowspan="2" |Velocity <br /> in m/s
 +
! rowspan="2" |Projectile<br />Mass in kg
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse delay''
 +
''in m:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Fuse sensitivity''
 +
''in mm:''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Explosive Mass in g<br /> (TNT equivalent):''
 +
! rowspan="2" | ''Normalization At 30° <br> from horizontal:''
 +
! colspan="3" | ''Ricochet:''
 +
|-
 +
! 0%
 +
! 50%
 +
! 100%
 +
|-
 +
| M72 shot || 609 || 6.3 || N/A || N/A || N/A || -1° || 47° || 60° || 65°
 +
|-
 +
| M48 shell || 594 || 6.3 || 0.4 || 0.5 || 666 || +0° || 79° || 80° || 81°
 +
|-  
 +
| M61 shot || 609 || 6.8 || 1.2 || 20 || 63.7 || +4° || 48° || 63° || 71°
 +
|-
 +
|}
 +
 
 +
===== [[Ammo Racks|Ammo racks]] =====
 +
[[File:Ammoracks_M10_GMC.png|right|thumbnail|Ammo racks of the M10|300px]]
 +
{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center"
 +
|-
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Full<br /> ammo
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |1st<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |2nd<br />  rack empty
 +
! class="wikitable unsortable" |Visual<br /> discrepancy
 +
|-
 +
|| '''60''' || 31&nbsp;''(+29)'' || 1&nbsp;''(+59)'' || style="text-align:center" | Yes
 +
|-
 +
|}
  
 
== Usage in the battles ==
 
== Usage in the battles ==
−
''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''
+
<!--''Describe the tactics of playing in the vehicle, the features of using vehicles in the team and advice on tactics. Refrain from creating a "guide" - do not impose a single point of view but give the reader food for thought. Describe the most dangerous enemies and give recommendations on fighting them. If necessary, note the specifics of the game in different modes (AB, RB, SB).''-->
 +
The 75 mm GMC M3 cannot go toe-to-toe with other tanks, due to the lack of protection for the crew and insufficient armour layout. The armour can only stop < 7.92 mm rounds, and could possibly deflect 12.7 mm rounds off the frontal arc, but this vehicle was never designed to fight other tanks head-to-head. Its playstyle may generally confuse new or inexperienced players, as they would bring the vehicle up close to the front.
 +
 
 +
The vehicle was mainly purposed for killing tanks at a distance, hence the amazing penetration values this vehicle has been blessed with. It will still penetrate tanks of its BR and rank even at 500 meters, which means staying from afar is the best way to play this particular vehicle. However, relocating after successive shots is another good idea. It prevents returning fire from the enemy, especially artillery strikes. It is not wise to bring this vehicle upfront, you will probably not survive long as artillery explosions will damage your vehicle. However, if you are lucky that the enemy does not call in artillery strikes, this vehicle is exceptionally deadly at close ranges. If planning to go upfront, stock up on the M61 shot, which will increase your lethality to tanks due to its extra HE charge. Keep in mind that this vehicle has to be supported by teammates, experienced players will take note of its long reload and may try to rush out and kill you. Effective use of its excellent reverse speed to take cover or back out of enemy fire will increase your chances of surviving. Overall, this vehicle is an effective tank destroyer for its rank, rivaling the ZiS-30. It combines the penetration ability of the ZiS-30 on to a larger caliber weapon, on the same time marrying the weapon on to the M3 halftrack, which is already blessed with exceptional mobility.             
 +
 
 +
The low fire rate can be a fatal downfall for many newer players; always stay in cover while reloading. Many players will stay out in the open while they wait for the gun to reload; this is a deadly mistake.
  
 
=== Pros and cons ===
 
=== Pros and cons ===
−
''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''
+
<!--''Summarize and briefly evaluate the vehicle in terms of its characteristics and combat effectiveness. Mark its pros and cons in a bulleted list. Do not use more than 6 points for each of the characteristics. Avoid using categorical definitions such as "bad", "good" and the like - they have a substitution in the form of softer "inadequate", "effective".''-->
−
 
 
 
'''Pros:'''
 
'''Pros:'''
−
*
+
* Good cannon for its rank.
−
 
+
* Good mobility.
 +
* Penetration offered by the M72 shot is excellent, but it lacks explosive fillers.
 +
* The explosive abilities of the M61 shot is deadly if penetration occurs.
 +
* Exceptional reverse speed.
 +
* Acceleration is best when compared to other tank destroyers of its rank.
 +
* Relatively low target compared to other tank destroyers.
 
'''Cons:'''
 
'''Cons:'''
−
*
+
* New players may find the car-like turning of this vehicle very hard to use.
 +
* Lightly armoured, will only withstand 7.92 mm rounds effectively.
 +
* Any cannon round will penetrate this vehicle anywhere.
 +
* Vulnerable to strafing aircraft.
 +
* Entire crew is exposed, can be killed by aircraft simply ramming into the vehicle.
 +
* Susceptible to nearby explosions, especially from artillery.
 +
* Commander and loader are in-line with each other when view from the front, and same for the driver and gunner.
 +
* Poor reload time, will be out-RPMed by every other cannon at this BR.
 +
* Stock AP shell has poor after-armour effect.
 +
* Slow traverse speed for the cannon.
 +
* Limited traverse for cannon.
  
 
== History ==
 
== History ==
−
''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''
+
<!--''Describe the history of the creation and combat usage of the ground vehicle in more detail than in the introduction. If the historical reference turns out to be too big, take it to a separate article, taking a link to an article about the vehicle and adding a block "/historical reference" (example: https://wiki.warthunder.com/Name-vehicles/historical reference) and add a link to it here using the <code>main</code> template. Be sure to include links to sources at the end of the article.''-->
 +
===Development===
 +
In the opening stages of World War II, the American military leaders realize they did not have any adequate anti-tank weaponry to repeal a German tank assault. An urgent request for one developed into something akin of an improvised weapon.
 +
 
 +
Army development took a M3 half-track and placed the French 75 mm Gun M1897A4 gun onto it with a huge gun shield to protect the crew. This experimental vehicle was called the ''T12'', and was deemed to work well enough to be adopted and standardized in October 1941 as the '''75 mm GMC M3'''. From 1941 to 1943, about 2,200 units were produced, but many were converted back to standard half-tracks before they got issued, so it resulted in only about 842 units seeing combat service.
 +
 
 +
The M3 GMC was not particularly a protected vehicle given that it used a half-track as its basis, giving it rather limited protection for the crew. The gun crew on the half-track has a huge gun shield to take cover behind as they ready the weapon, but the truck driver and passenger would have no protection available. The French 75 mm Gun M1897A4 attached was a multi-purpose artillery piece, it could fire an armour piercing shell that could penetrate 81 mm of armour at 500 yard in a direct-fire role, and could hit targets up to 9,200 yards in an indirect-fire role. The 75 mm gun could only traverse in a limited arc forward, unable to traverse to face the back. Nevertheless, for a rushed production, the vehicle was deemed acceptable for use.
 +
 
 +
===Combat service===
 +
The vehicles saw service first in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in December 1942, used to fend off Japanese vehicles and infantry. When the Japanese conquered the Philippines, they captured the 75 mm GMC M3s and used them against U.S. Forces when they invaded the Philippines in October 1944. The largest concentration of the 75 mm GMC M3 was in the North African Campaign, and then again in the Sicilian Campaign. During the Sicilian campaign, it was gradually phased out for the [[3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10]] as it was starting to become obsolete, but it stayed as a support weapon as assault guns for special forces. In the Pacific, they saw further use in the Marine Corps blasting Japanese tanks and fortifications on the major island battles before being gradually replaced by the 105 mm artillery on the M7 Priest.
 +
 
 +
The British, French, and Philippine Army were the few Allies who got their hands on the 75 mm GMC M3. In British terminology, it was known as the ''75 mm SP, Autocar''. The Free French forces used some M3 GMC in the Western Front during the invasion of France. The Philippine forces used the M3 GMC when the U.S. supplied their military there with it. The Philippines retained the M3 GMC up to the 1960s, being used by a number of factions, from the Japanese when they captured it in the 1940s, the rebels of the Hukbalahap Rebellion, and in the Korean War by the Philippine Expeditionary Force.
  
 
== Media ==
 
== Media ==
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 
''An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos.''
 +
[http://live.warthunder.com/feed/camouflages/?q=%23M3gmc '''Skins''' and '''camouflages''' for the M3 GMC from live.warthunder.com.]
  
 +
{{Youtube|url = V29e_ryLVQk|"75mm M1897A4 Cannon x1"<br />by ''Oxide''}}
 
== Read also ==
 
== Read also ==
−
''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
+
<!--''Links to the articles on the War Thunder Wiki that you think will be useful for the reader, for example,''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''reference to the series of the vehicles;''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
 
* ''links to approximate analogues of other nations and research trees.''
−
''ETC.''
+
''ETC.''-->
 +
[https://warthunder.com/en/devblog/current/764/ [Devblog<nowiki>]</nowiki> M3 75 mm GMC and Ki-21-1ko]<br/>
  
 
== Sources ==
 
== Sources ==
Line 51: Line 231:
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''topic on the official game forum;''
 
* ''other literature.''
 
* ''other literature.''
 +
 +
{{USA tank destroyers}}

Revision as of 19:34, 28 September 2018

Rank VI USSR | Premium | Golden Eagles
Su-25K Pack
M3 GMC
us_halftrack_m3_75mm_gmc.png
M3 GMC
USA flag.png USA
I Rank
Battle rating:
AB RB SB
1.7 1.7 1.7
Class:
Research:5 900 Specs-Card-Exp.png
Purchase:6 300 Specs-Card-Lion.png
Show in game

Description

The 75 mm GMC M3 (75 mm Gun Motor Carriage M3) is a Rank I American tank destroyer with a battle rating of 1.7 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.49 "Weapons of Victory". A M3 half-track with a 75 mm gun on its rear, the M3 GMC packs a punch against its rivals.

General info

Survivability and armour

Armour type:

  • Rolled homogeneous armour
  • Structural steel (Back side)
Armour Front Sides Rear Roof
Hull 6.35 mm (31°) 6.35 mm 6.35 mm N/A
Turret (Gun shield) 12.7 mm 12.7 mm N/A 12.7 mm

Notes:

Track thickness: 7 mm
Road wheels: 2 mm (Rubber)
Structural chassis thickness: 15 mm

Mobility

Mobility characteristic
Weight (tons) Add-on Armor
weight (tons) 		Max speed (km/h)
9.1 N/A 91 (AB)
84 (RB/SB)
Engine power (horsepower)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 210 259
Realistic/Simulator 131 148
Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
Mode Stock Upgraded
Arcade 22.86 28.24
Realistic/Simulator 14.28 16.15

Armaments

Main article: M1897A4 (75 mm)
75 mm M1897A4
Capacity Gun
Depression 		Gun
Elevation
60 -10° 29°
Turret rotation speed (°/s)
Mode Stock Upgraded Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert Qualif. Prior + Ace Qualif.
Arcade 3.60 4.94 5.99 6.63 7.06
Realistic 3.60 4.20 5.10 5.64 5.99
Reloading rate (seconds)
Stock Prior + Full crew Prior + Expert Qualif. Prior + Ace Qualif.
13.00 11.50 10.60 10.00
Ammunition
Penetration statistics
Ammunition Type of
warhead 		Penetration in mm @ 90°
10m 100m 500m 1000m 1500m 2000m
M72 shot AP 108 107 90 74 60 50
M48 shell HE 10 10 10 10 10 10
M61 shot APCBC 88 86 79 71 63 57
Shell details
Ammunition Velocity
in m/s 		Projectile
Mass in kg 		Fuse delay

in m:

Fuse sensitivity

in mm:

Explosive Mass in g
(TNT equivalent): 		Normalization At 30°
from horizontal: 		Ricochet:
0% 50% 100%
M72 shot 609 6.3 N/A N/A N/A -1° 47° 60° 65°
M48 shell 594 6.3 0.4 0.5 666 +0° 79° 80° 81°
M61 shot 609 6.8 1.2 20 63.7 +4° 48° 63° 71°
Ammo racks
Ammo racks of the M10
Full
ammo 		1st
rack empty 		2nd
rack empty 		Visual
discrepancy
60 31 (+29) 1 (+59) Yes

Usage in the battles

The 75 mm GMC M3 cannot go toe-to-toe with other tanks, due to the lack of protection for the crew and insufficient armour layout. The armour can only stop < 7.92 mm rounds, and could possibly deflect 12.7 mm rounds off the frontal arc, but this vehicle was never designed to fight other tanks head-to-head. Its playstyle may generally confuse new or inexperienced players, as they would bring the vehicle up close to the front.

The vehicle was mainly purposed for killing tanks at a distance, hence the amazing penetration values this vehicle has been blessed with. It will still penetrate tanks of its BR and rank even at 500 meters, which means staying from afar is the best way to play this particular vehicle. However, relocating after successive shots is another good idea. It prevents returning fire from the enemy, especially artillery strikes. It is not wise to bring this vehicle upfront, you will probably not survive long as artillery explosions will damage your vehicle. However, if you are lucky that the enemy does not call in artillery strikes, this vehicle is exceptionally deadly at close ranges. If planning to go upfront, stock up on the M61 shot, which will increase your lethality to tanks due to its extra HE charge. Keep in mind that this vehicle has to be supported by teammates, experienced players will take note of its long reload and may try to rush out and kill you. Effective use of its excellent reverse speed to take cover or back out of enemy fire will increase your chances of surviving. Overall, this vehicle is an effective tank destroyer for its rank, rivaling the ZiS-30. It combines the penetration ability of the ZiS-30 on to a larger caliber weapon, on the same time marrying the weapon on to the M3 halftrack, which is already blessed with exceptional mobility.

The low fire rate can be a fatal downfall for many newer players; always stay in cover while reloading. Many players will stay out in the open while they wait for the gun to reload; this is a deadly mistake.

Pros and cons

Pros:

  • Good cannon for its rank.
  • Good mobility.
  • Penetration offered by the M72 shot is excellent, but it lacks explosive fillers.
  • The explosive abilities of the M61 shot is deadly if penetration occurs.
  • Exceptional reverse speed.
  • Acceleration is best when compared to other tank destroyers of its rank.
  • Relatively low target compared to other tank destroyers.

Cons:

  • New players may find the car-like turning of this vehicle very hard to use.
  • Lightly armoured, will only withstand 7.92 mm rounds effectively.
  • Any cannon round will penetrate this vehicle anywhere.
  • Vulnerable to strafing aircraft.
  • Entire crew is exposed, can be killed by aircraft simply ramming into the vehicle.
  • Susceptible to nearby explosions, especially from artillery.
  • Commander and loader are in-line with each other when view from the front, and same for the driver and gunner.
  • Poor reload time, will be out-RPMed by every other cannon at this BR.
  • Stock AP shell has poor after-armour effect.
  • Slow traverse speed for the cannon.
  • Limited traverse for cannon.

History

Development

In the opening stages of World War II, the American military leaders realize they did not have any adequate anti-tank weaponry to repeal a German tank assault. An urgent request for one developed into something akin of an improvised weapon.

Army development took a M3 half-track and placed the French 75 mm Gun M1897A4 gun onto it with a huge gun shield to protect the crew. This experimental vehicle was called the T12, and was deemed to work well enough to be adopted and standardized in October 1941 as the 75 mm GMC M3. From 1941 to 1943, about 2,200 units were produced, but many were converted back to standard half-tracks before they got issued, so it resulted in only about 842 units seeing combat service.

The M3 GMC was not particularly a protected vehicle given that it used a half-track as its basis, giving it rather limited protection for the crew. The gun crew on the half-track has a huge gun shield to take cover behind as they ready the weapon, but the truck driver and passenger would have no protection available. The French 75 mm Gun M1897A4 attached was a multi-purpose artillery piece, it could fire an armour piercing shell that could penetrate 81 mm of armour at 500 yard in a direct-fire role, and could hit targets up to 9,200 yards in an indirect-fire role. The 75 mm gun could only traverse in a limited arc forward, unable to traverse to face the back. Nevertheless, for a rushed production, the vehicle was deemed acceptable for use.

Combat service

The vehicles saw service first in the Philippines when the Japanese invaded in December 1942, used to fend off Japanese vehicles and infantry. When the Japanese conquered the Philippines, they captured the 75 mm GMC M3s and used them against U.S. Forces when they invaded the Philippines in October 1944. The largest concentration of the 75 mm GMC M3 was in the North African Campaign, and then again in the Sicilian Campaign. During the Sicilian campaign, it was gradually phased out for the 3-inch Gun Motor Carriage M10 as it was starting to become obsolete, but it stayed as a support weapon as assault guns for special forces. In the Pacific, they saw further use in the Marine Corps blasting Japanese tanks and fortifications on the major island battles before being gradually replaced by the 105 mm artillery on the M7 Priest.

The British, French, and Philippine Army were the few Allies who got their hands on the 75 mm GMC M3. In British terminology, it was known as the 75 mm SP, Autocar. The Free French forces used some M3 GMC in the Western Front during the invasion of France. The Philippine forces used the M3 GMC when the U.S. supplied their military there with it. The Philippines retained the M3 GMC up to the 1960s, being used by a number of factions, from the Japanese when they captured it in the 1940s, the rebels of the Hukbalahap Rebellion, and in the Korean War by the Philippine Expeditionary Force.

Media

An excellent addition to the article will be video guides, as well as screenshots from the game and photos. Skins and camouflages for the M3 GMC from live.warthunder.com.

Read also

[Devblog] M3 75 mm GMC and Ki-21-1ko

Sources

Paste links to sources and external resources, such as:

  • topic on the official game forum;
  • other literature.


USA tank destroyers
M10  M10 GMC
M36  M36 GMC · M36B2
T95  T28 · T95
M109  M109A1
ATGM  LOSAT · M901
Wheeled  M3 GMC · T55E1
Other  M8 HMC · M50 · M56
China  ▃LVT(A)(4) (ZIS-2)

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