M2 Light Tank
Encyclopedia
The Light Tank M2 was an American
pre-World War II
light tank
that saw combat with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942, during World War II. Its service with the 1st Tank Battalion
during the Pacific War was its only U.S. combat use during the war; however, it is believed that M2A4s served in Burma and India
with the British
7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
during their engagements with the IJA
14th Tank Regiment. The M2A4 was the immediate predecessor of the M3 Stuart light tank.
for the infantry
branch of the U.S. Army
. The design coming from the earlier T1 and T2 was somewhat inspired by the famous Vickers 6-ton
. Its main weapon was one .50-caliber machine gun, installed in a small one-man turret
. After only 10 units were delivered, the Infantry branch decided to switch to a twin turret configuration, with a .30-caliber machine gun in the second turret. These early twin-turret tanks were given the nickname "Mae West
" by the troops, after the popular busty movie star. The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers, such as the Soviet T-26
and Polish 7TP
.
Following the Spanish Civil War
, most armies, including the U.S. Army, realized that they needed "gun" armed tanks and not vehicles armed merely with machine guns. The cavalry branch had already opted for a single, larger turret on its nearly identical M1 Combat Car
. By 1940 the twin machine gun turrets were replaced by one larger turret with a 37 mm gun, and armor reached 25 mm. Other upgrades included improved suspension, improved transmission, and better engine cooling.
The French Army
had traditionally been highly regarded by the U.S. military, as having the best and most modern military in Europe. The French army, in many cases, had more technologically advanced tanks than the Germans. The French tanks had better guns and armor protection. But what shocked the U.S. military into action was the amount of time that it took France to fall: only six weeks. The reason France fell so quickly was due to tactics, and not the quality of the German tanks themselves. German tanks were concentrated in a few formations and viewed as a decisive combat arm, while French tanks were distributed in small formations, most of which were devoted to infantry support. The fall of France gave momentum to the U.S. tank program, and in July 1940 the US Army Armored Force was created.
In December 1938, OCM #14844 directed that a single M2A3 be removed from the assembly line and modified with heavier armor and weapons, to meet the standards of the U.S. Infantry. This vehicle, after conversion, was re-designated as the M2A4. The new light tank was equipped with an M5 37 mm main gun, 1 inch (25 mm) thick armor, and a 7 cylinder gasoline engine. Production of the M2A4 began in May 1940, and continued through March 1941; an additional ten M2A4s were assembled in April 1942, for a total production run of 375 M2A4 light tanks. In addition the US Army sent out press photos still showing the M2A4 being assembled in July 1941 after the assembly line was being changed over to the M3.
In March 1941, the 1/2" thicker (1½" total thickness) armor, and Continental W-670
gasoline engined M3 Stuart light tanks replaced the M2A3 on the assembly lines. The original riveted M3s closely resembled the M2A4, and indeed the two types occasionally served in the same units; the easiest recognition feature is the aft (rear) idler wheel. On the M2A4, the idler is raised; on the M3 it trails on the ground, increasing the flotation of the heavier vehicle.
The M2's importance lies in the sound basis it provided for US M3-series light tanks early in World War II. The M3's high speed and mechanical reliability were legacies of the M2 program.
1st Tank Battalion, and remained in service in some areas of Pacific until 1943.
Britain
ordered 100 M2A4s in early 1941. After 36 of them were delivered, the order was canceled in favor of an improved M3 Stuart
. There is evidence that indicates those 36 M2A4s were shipped off from North Africa as part of the British Army
's 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
, fighting in the India
and Burma campaigns against the Japan
ese 14th Tank Regiment.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
pre-World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
light tank
Light tank
A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movement, and now primarily employed in low-intensity conflict. Early light tanks were generally armed and armored similar to an armored car, but used tracks in order to provide better cross-country mobility.The light tank was a major...
that saw combat with the US Marine Corps 1st Tank Battalion on Guadalcanal in 1942, during World War II. Its service with the 1st Tank Battalion
1st Tank Battalion
The 1st Tank Battalion is an armor battalion of the United States Marine Corps which is based out of the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California...
during the Pacific War was its only U.S. combat use during the war; however, it is believed that M2A4s served in Burma and India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
with the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It is part of the Royal Tank Regiment, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps...
during their engagements with the IJA
IJA
IJA can refer to:* Imperial Japanese Army* International Jugglers' Association* International Jousting Association* Instituto Justo Arosemena* The Internet Journal of Anesthesiology* International Judges Association* Empress Ija...
14th Tank Regiment. The M2A4 was the immediate predecessor of the M3 Stuart light tank.
Development History
As the Light Tank T2E1, the M2 was developed in 1935 by Rock Island ArsenalRock Island Arsenal
The Rock Island Arsenal comprises , located on Arsenal Island, originally known as Rock Island, on the Mississippi River between the cities of Davenport, Iowa, and Rock Island, Illinois. It lies within the state of Illinois. The island was originally established as a government site in 1816, with...
for the infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
branch of the U.S. Army
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
. The design coming from the earlier T1 and T2 was somewhat inspired by the famous Vickers 6-ton
Vickers 6-Ton
The Vickers 6-Ton Tank or Vickers Mark E was a British light tank designed as a private project at Vickers. It was not purchased by the British Army, but was picked up by a large number of foreign armed forces and was copied almost exactly by the Soviets as the T-26. It was also the direct...
. Its main weapon was one .50-caliber machine gun, installed in a small one-man turret
Turret
In architecture, a turret is a small tower that projects vertically from the wall of a building such as a medieval castle. Turrets were used to provide a projecting defensive position allowing covering fire to the adjacent wall in the days of military fortification...
. After only 10 units were delivered, the Infantry branch decided to switch to a twin turret configuration, with a .30-caliber machine gun in the second turret. These early twin-turret tanks were given the nickname "Mae West
Mae West
Mae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
" by the troops, after the popular busty movie star. The twin-turret layout was inefficient, but was a common feature of 1930s light tanks derived from the Vickers, such as the Soviet T-26
T-26
The T-26 tank was a Soviet light infantry tank used during many conflicts of the 1930s as well as during World War II. It was a development of the British Vickers 6-Ton tank and is widely considered one of the most successful tank designs of the 1930s....
and Polish 7TP
7TP
The 7TP was the Polish light tank of the Second World War. A development of the British Vickers 6-ton, it was significantly better armed than its most common opponents, the German Panzer I and Panzer II. A standard tank of the Polish Army during the Polish Defensive War of 1939, its production...
.
Following the Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
, most armies, including the U.S. Army, realized that they needed "gun" armed tanks and not vehicles armed merely with machine guns. The cavalry branch had already opted for a single, larger turret on its nearly identical M1 Combat Car
M1 Combat Car
The M1 Combat Car was a light tank used by the U.S. Cavalry in late 1930s. After the Spanish Civil War, most armies, including the U.S. Army, realized that they needed "gun" armed tanks and not vehicles armed merely with machine guns...
. By 1940 the twin machine gun turrets were replaced by one larger turret with a 37 mm gun, and armor reached 25 mm. Other upgrades included improved suspension, improved transmission, and better engine cooling.
The French Army
French Army
The French Army, officially the Armée de Terre , is the land-based and largest component of the French Armed Forces.As of 2010, the army employs 123,100 regulars, 18,350 part-time reservists and 7,700 Legionnaires. All soldiers are professionals, following the suspension of conscription, voted in...
had traditionally been highly regarded by the U.S. military, as having the best and most modern military in Europe. The French army, in many cases, had more technologically advanced tanks than the Germans. The French tanks had better guns and armor protection. But what shocked the U.S. military into action was the amount of time that it took France to fall: only six weeks. The reason France fell so quickly was due to tactics, and not the quality of the German tanks themselves. German tanks were concentrated in a few formations and viewed as a decisive combat arm, while French tanks were distributed in small formations, most of which were devoted to infantry support. The fall of France gave momentum to the U.S. tank program, and in July 1940 the US Army Armored Force was created.
In December 1938, OCM #14844 directed that a single M2A3 be removed from the assembly line and modified with heavier armor and weapons, to meet the standards of the U.S. Infantry. This vehicle, after conversion, was re-designated as the M2A4. The new light tank was equipped with an M5 37 mm main gun, 1 inch (25 mm) thick armor, and a 7 cylinder gasoline engine. Production of the M2A4 began in May 1940, and continued through March 1941; an additional ten M2A4s were assembled in April 1942, for a total production run of 375 M2A4 light tanks. In addition the US Army sent out press photos still showing the M2A4 being assembled in July 1941 after the assembly line was being changed over to the M3.
In March 1941, the 1/2" thicker (1½" total thickness) armor, and Continental W-670
Continental w-670
-See also:-Bibliography:* Gunston, Bill. World Encyclopaedia of Aero Engines. Cambridge, England. Patrick Stephens Limited, 1989. ISBN 1-85260-163-9* Jane's Fighting Aircraft of World War II. London. Studio Editions Ltd, 1998. ISBN 0-517-67964-7...
gasoline engined M3 Stuart light tanks replaced the M2A3 on the assembly lines. The original riveted M3s closely resembled the M2A4, and indeed the two types occasionally served in the same units; the easiest recognition feature is the aft (rear) idler wheel. On the M2A4, the idler is raised; on the M3 it trails on the ground, increasing the flotation of the heavier vehicle.
The M2's importance lies in the sound basis it provided for US M3-series light tanks early in World War II. The M3's high speed and mechanical reliability were legacies of the M2 program.
Employment
By December 1941, the M2A1, M2A2 and M2A3 were used for training only. Approximately 50 M2A4s were deployed during the Battle of Guadalcanal while assigned to the U.S. Marine CorpsUnited States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
1st Tank Battalion, and remained in service in some areas of Pacific until 1943.
Britain
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
ordered 100 M2A4s in early 1941. After 36 of them were delivered, the order was canceled in favor of an improved M3 Stuart
Stuart tank
The M3 Stuart, formally Light Tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II and supplied to British and Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war—and used thereafter by U.S...
. There is evidence that indicates those 36 M2A4s were shipped off from North Africa as part of the British Army
British Army
The British Army is the land warfare branch of Her Majesty's Armed Forces in the United Kingdom. It came into being with the unification of the Kingdom of England and Scotland into the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707. The new British Army incorporated Regiments that had already existed in England...
's 7th Hussars and 2nd Royal Tank Regiment
2nd Royal Tank Regiment
The 2nd Royal Tank Regiment is an armoured regiment of the British Army. It is part of the Royal Tank Regiment, itself part of the Royal Armoured Corps...
, fighting in the India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
and Burma campaigns against the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese 14th Tank Regiment.
Variants
- M2A1 (1935).
- .50 MG in a single turret. 10 units were produced.
- M2A2 (1935).
- Twin turrets. Dubbed "Mae WestMae WestMae West was an American actress, playwright, screenwriter and sex symbol whose entertainment career spanned seven decades....
". 239 units produced.
- Twin turrets. Dubbed "Mae West
- M2A3 (1938).
- Twin turrets, Thicker armor, improved suspension. 72 units produced.
- M2A4 (1940).
- Single turret with 37mm gun. Thicker armor. 375 units produced.