- Yes
- No
Overview
The 155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M41 “Gorilla” was a heavy self-propelled howitzer based on the M24 Chaffee mounting a 155mm M1 howitzer. Developed from May 1941 as a lightweight counterpart to the M3 Lee-based M12 GMC, it entered service in July 1945, too late for WWII. However, it did see extensive use in Korea despite small production numbers, proving generally more effective than the M4-based M40 GMC due to its smaller size and higher mobility. The M41 would be replaced by the M44 in 1956.
History
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Development and Production
The M41 HMC can trace its origins back to May 1941 with the requirement for two self-propelled howitzers- one on a light tank chassis and one on a medium tank chassis. The medium SPG would result in the M12 GMC, essentially a WWI-era 155mm M1917 cannon atop an M3 Lee hull. This entered service in late 1942. The light SPG resulted in two prototypes- the T16 armed with the newly-developed 4.5in (114mm) M1 howitzer, and the T64 featuring the also newly-developed 155mm M1 howitzer. Both vehicles featured their respective armaments in lightly-armoured superstructures on an extended M5 Stuart hull. Both prototypes were built in December 1942 and evaluated shortly afterwards, with the T64 selected for further development in August. By this time, the T24 light tank was nearing completion and so the T64 was redesigned to utilize its chassis as part of the standardized Light Combat Team family of vehicles. The T24 hull was lengthened slightly, with the engine moved to the center of the hull (essentially the same hull modifications as on the M19) and the gun compartment at the rear. This model was designated the T64E1 and produced in early 1944, undergoing rigorous testing starting in December that year, delayed due to other projects (the T26 and T38, for example) having higher priority. By May 1945, the T64E1 had passed its evaluations and necessary modifications had been made, and production of 250 vehicles was approved. In June, the type would receive its official designation of M41. However, it entered service too late to see combat in the war. 60 were produced by the end of the war, at which time the order was cut from 250 to 85. The last M41s were produced in December 1945.
Service
While too late for WWII, the M41 did still manage to see combat. Soon after the outbreak of the Korean War, Gorillas were deployed with the 92nd, 96th, and 999th Armored Field Artillery Battalions, serving initially in the infantry support role. These vehicles proved extremely effective especially with the 92nd and 999th, with excellent firepower and good reliability and mobility. As the war progressed and became much more stationary, the M41s were used in their intended role as long-range artillery, seeing extensive use. The 92nd for example fired over 300,000 artillery shells over the course of the war. Two M41s were captured by Chinese forces and used in the Battle of Maryang San where one was destroyed, the other now preserved in Beijing. While they had proven themselves to be quite effective the M41s were not without flaws, resulting in the development of the more mobile and better-protected M44 based on the new M41 Bulldog light tank instead of the now-obsolete M24.
Specifications
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General
Length: 5.84m
Width: 2.84m
Height: 2.40m
Mass: 19.3 tonnes
Crew: 5- gunner, driver, commander, loader x2
Automotive
2x Cadillac Series 44T24 V8, 110hp each (220hp total)’
Max speed: 56/23 km/h forward/reverse
Hp/tonne: 11.40
Armour
Hull armour: same as M19
Superstructure armour: 6.35mm (0.25in), open-top, open-rear
Armament
1x 155mm Howitzer M1*
Renamed 155mm Howitzer M114 in 1962
Max fire rate: 4 RPM (15s reload)
*Same number reported for M44, in-game 8s reload
-5/+45 degrees elevation
-20.5/+17 degrees horizontal traverse
22 rounds-
M107 HE- 207.3m/s-563.9m/s (variable charge, in-game value 563m/s)
M110 smoke- 563m/s (in-game value)
The M41 HMC in-game
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The M41 is most similar to the M44, with essentially identical firepower. However, the M41 is otherwise a substantial downgrade over the M44. Frontal armour protection is half that of the M44 and the sides and rear are exposed, meaning the M41 is extremely vulnerable to machinegun fire. However, the hull still provides decent protection at lower ranks. Then there’s the mobility. While lighter than the M44, the M41 has less than half the former’s horsepower. Finally, the M41 lacks a secondary machine gun. Overall, I see the M41 as more of a counterpart to reserve tier SPGs like the Sturmpanzer II and Ho-Ro. I’d place it at around BR 2.0, where it would serve as an excellent derp gun SPG. The vehicle was also operated by China and France, though in France’s case I believe an indigenous design such as the Mk F3 would better fill the role.
Gallery
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The T16 HMC prototype
The T64 HMC prototype, note the 3 bogies compared to 2 on the M5
T64E1 now on T24 chassis
Internal layout of M41 HMC
The spade and gunner’s platform when lowered for firing
A collection of the US’s new SPGs in 1946. From front- M37, M41, M40, M43, and T92. All but the T92 saw combat in Korea
And now a collection of historical photos I find interesting
Sources
