The Us 37-Mm Gun in World War II

The 37-mm gun was developed in response to the 1899 Hague Convention and was light and lethal enough to be used in battle. After World War I, several countries developed or adopted the gun, and the US Ordnance Department designed the M3 37-mm gun and M4 carriage in the mid-1930s. The gun was effective against the Japanese tanks and strong points in the Far East but could not penetrate the frontal armor of many German tanks. It was used on several production and experimental armoured vehicles and non-armoured vehicles, and performed exactly as designed.

Format: Hardback
Length: 192 pages
Publication date: 15 September 2023
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

The 37-mm gun, developed in response to the 1899 Hague Convention, was a remarkable weapon that met the restrictions on the size of weapons that could fire explosive shells while still being light and lethal enough for battle. After World War I, several countries, including the United States, developed or adopted the 37-mm gun. The United States relied on the German Pak 36 37-mm design as a basis for its development, leading to the creation of the M3 37-mm gun and M4 carriage in the mid-1930s. This towed anti-tank gun was the first of its kind in the U.S. Army and proved effective at the beginning of World War II. However, as German armor protection increased, the gun's ability to penetrate frontal armor declined, making it relegated to lesser roles. Nevertheless, the gun continued to serve effectively against the Japanese tanks and strong points in the Far East.

The US military utilized the M3 37-mm gun on a wide range of production and experimental armoured vehicles, including the M3 Lee Medium Tank, M3 Stuart Light Tank, M5 Stuart Light Tank, M8 Armored Car, T17E1 Staghound Armored Car, and M3A1E3 Scout Car. The gun was also used on non-armoured vehicles like the P39 Aeracobra and selected naval vessels. Despite its small size, the M3 37-mm gun performed flawlessly throughout the war, serving on many vehicles and fulfilling its intended design purposes.

This comprehensive book, fully illustrated, provides the first complete account of the development and use of the US 37-mm gun in World War II. It sheds light on the technological advancements and strategic implications of this versatile weapon, making it a valuable resource for historians, military enthusiasts, and anyone interested in understanding the history of warfare.

Weight: 770g
Dimension: 207 x 261 x 16 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636242521