US Half-Tracks: In World War II

During WWII, the US developed half-track vehicles, combining the cross-country ability of a fully tracked vehicle with the road performance of a medium truck. They were used extensively in various roles, including prime movers, armored personnel carriers, mortar carriers, and heavily armed variants. Despite production ending in 1944, demand for half-track vehicles continued to grow, and they were even used against ground targets with great success. This volume covers the vehicles produced by Autocar, Diamond T, and White for US forces and the similar International Harvester-built vehicles supplied to allies through Lend-Lease, with over 200 vintage photos and illustrations.

Format: Hardback
Length: 112 pages
Publication date: 06 December 2022
Publisher: Schiffer Publishing Ltd

The United States of America utilized a unique type of half-track vehicle during World War II, known as the US half-track. These vehicles were based on an adaptation of the White Scout Car and combined the cross-country ability of a fully tracked vehicle with the road performance of a medium truck. A wide variety of these vehicles were produced, including prime movers, armored personnel carriers, mortar carriers, and numerous heavily armed variants. One of the most notable features of these vehicles was their use against ground targets. Antiaircraft versions of these half-tracks were often employed and proved to be highly effective in destroying enemy forces. Despite the production of half-track vehicles ending in March 1944, the demand for these vehicles continued to surge during the Korean War. This led to the wholesale modification of personnel carriers to meet the demand for half-track vehicles equipped with .50-caliber machine guns. Even after the US military phased out these vehicles in the late 1950s, the Israeli forces continued to use them until the 1980s.

This book provides comprehensive coverage of the US half-track vehicles produced by Autocar, Diamond T, and White for use by US forces. It also includes information on the similar International Harvester-built vehicles supplied to our allies through the Lend-Lease program. Illustrated with over 200 vintage photos, line drawings, and color profiles, this volume offers a detailed look at these remarkable vehicles that played a significant role in World War II and beyond.

Weight: 764g
Dimension: 236 x 238 x 218 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780764364891