"Russian use of halftracks" Topic
8 Posts
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| 15mm and 28mm Fanatik | 09 Dec 2005 11:55 a.m. PST |
Are there many Russian units that employed the US M2 halftrack? How many were provided through Lend-Lease? I know they use tanks as infantry transports, but do they have halftrack-based mechanized platoons? |
| tovarischdavid | 09 Dec 2005 12:24 p.m. PST |
The U.S. provided the Soviets with 2278 Halftracks during the war. The troop carrying versions were mainly used as command vehicles. Most of these were likely the T-48 variety (i.e. M3 mounting the 57mm aka SU57) oddly enough, more M3A1 scout cars about 3000 of them to the Soviets. |
Blind Old Hag  | 09 Dec 2005 12:43 p.m. PST |
Numbers of units that were actually delivered to combat units. Does not count units lost en-route or prior to delivery. M15a1 SPAA 100
M17 AAMG 1,000
M2/M3/M5/M9 halftracks 1,178
M3a1 Scout cars 3,340
Bren Carriers 1,000
T48 GMC (SU-57) 650 "…the 1100 M17 and M15 US half-tracked anti aircraft and the 7000 plus armored transports provided by lend lease show up everywhere in the Soviet mechanized and tank units, and even in the light motorcycle battalions and regiments late in the war. The Soviets recognized the the value of armored vehicles for the infantry from ugly experience on the recieveing end of German Panzer Grenadier attentions. As a result they not only utilitzed Lend Lease to armor some of the infantry accompanying their tanks, but also a large number of captured German Half-tracks. There are even indications, unfortunately not yet verified, that by late in the war (October 1944 and later) the Soviets may have been authorizing some armored infantry in the mechanized brigades: at least two Heroes of the Soviet Union in those units have job titles of "armored transport driver" in mechanized brigades in their bipographies.
The US M15 (quad 50) and M17 replaced the the Soviets own DShK 12.7mm AAMG in AA MG companies in the tank brigades. They also show up as individual platoons or sections in the mobile units. Even separate motorcycle battalions, by August 44, are sporting sections of 2-3 M17s instead of the truck mounted DShK…" The 3d Guards Mechanized Corps on June 15 1944 had 196 M4a2 tanks, and 99 armored cars and half-tracks. From "Red Hammers" Soviet Self-propelled Artillery and Lend Lease Armor, by Charles C. Sharp |
| Murvihill | 09 Dec 2005 1:35 p.m. PST |
From what little I've seen, most US halftrack and UK carrier APC variant's ended up in the recon units in tank and mechanized corps. The Soviets had an indigeneous halftrack, but it unarmored, and would more qualify as a prime mover than a halftrack. |
| Wyatt the Odd | 09 Dec 2005 1:46 p.m. PST |
Oliver Missing just added the halftracks to his "Trucks Lend-Leased to Russia" web page. He also has the total numbers for equipment shipped & received as well as some details about the vehicles. o5m6.de/main.html Wyatt |
| skaggerak | 17 Dec 2005 12:22 p.m. PST |
All halftracks produced by International Harvestor were sent to the Soviet Union. The distinguishing feature are the rounded rear corners. |
| GrotGnome | 17 Dec 2005 1:01 p.m. PST |
"All halftracks produced by International Harvestor were sent to the Soviet Union. The distinguishing feature are the rounded rear corners." You meant "all the halftracks sent to the Soviet Union were produced by International Harvestor….."? Most of the Halftracks supplied to the British /Commonwealth forces were built by International Harvestor (M5/M9 models) as well. The SU57/T48 Halftracks were built by White and most of them ended up in Russia as well. |
| GrossKaliefornja | 17 Dec 2005 3:48 p.m. PST |
As said US HT's were used as CO vehicle, recon, & prime mover (for ZIS-3 & the like). No mech infantry. |
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