United States' M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage:

Photos

M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest: Aberdeen Tank Museum	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest: Royal Armored Corps Tank Museum	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest in North Africa: U.S. Army in World War II - Pictorial Record, 1951	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest having its worn out barrel replaced:
M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest, training in late 1942:	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest:	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest:	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest: US Ordnance Dept.7
M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest:	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest from the M7 manual: Mark Holloway	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest from the M7 manual: Mark Holloway	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest from the M7 manual: Mark Holloway
M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest from the M7 manual: Mark Holloway	M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest from the M7 manual: Mark Holloway
M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest with the 2nd Armored Division, July 18, 1944: PhotosNormandie's photostream
M7B1 Howitzer Motor Carriage, Priest at the Patton Museum in Ft Knox, Kentucky: Chris Bobo
M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Aberdeen Tank Museum	M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage:	M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage:	M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage:

Design

Based on experience with mounting 105 mm howitzers on half-tracks the US Army wanted a fully tracked version. Used a modified M3 Medium or M4 Medium tank chassis. Upper hull was modified to hold a 105 mm howitzer in the front. A drum-like cupola was added on the right side to hold a .50 cal MG.

Was declared Substitute Standard in January 1945.

Production models had modified shields and a cupola for the AA MG. The 105 mm gun could fire a 33 lb HE shell at a velocity of 1,550 ft/sec, and a range of 11,500 yards.⁶

First used by the US Army in 1942.¹

The Marines would use them in an armored personnel carrier roll. It could carry up to 13 marines up to the front lines. The Marines used them extensively on Okinawa.

Used M3 Medium chassis.¹ Late models had M4 type bogies with trailing return rollers.¹ Some had cast one part nose.¹ American Locomotive produced vehicles. The upper parts of the side and rear armor are hinged and held in place by locked pins. There were grip handles on the outside of the armor that were used as ladders.

The driver had vision through a removable windshield and a protoscope.

M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage:

Some felt that the M7 was too heavy so a M24 chassis was used.¹ Standardized in November 1944.¹ 448 were ordered.¹

Had drive sprocket in rear with individual torsion bar suspension. Had larger working space and storage space for ammunition than M7.¹ It was powered by twin Cadillac engines. It had Hydra-Matic transmissions.

The 105 mm gun fired a 33 lb HE shell at a range of 12,200 yards.⁶

Prototypes

Two prototypes were built and designated T32.¹ Had an open superstructure with a M1A2 105 mm howitzer installed to the right of the center. It was accepted and standardized as the M7 HMC in February 1942.

Production

Production started in April 1942.¹

• M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage:
  • 1942: 2,028⁷
    • Manufacturer: American Locomotive⁷
  • 1943: 786⁷
    • Manufacturer: American Locomotive⁷
  • 1944: 700⁷
    • Manufacturer: American Locomotive⁷, Pressed Steel Car⁷
  • Manufacturer: American Locomotive Co^6,7, Federal Machine & Welder Co.⁶, Pressed Steel Car Co.^6,7
• M7B1 Howitzer Motor Carriage:
  • March 1944 - February 1945: 826
  • 1944: 464⁷
  • 1945: 162⁷
  • Manufacturer; Pressed Steel Car⁷
• M7B2 Howitzer Motor Carriage:
  • 1945: 127⁷
  • Manufacturer: Federal Machine and Welder⁷
• M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage: 316^1,5
  • Manufacturer: Cadillac (Detroit), Massey-Harris (Milwaukee)⁵, Cadillac⁶

Variants

• T32 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Prototype.⁷
• M7 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Used M3 Medium Tank chassis.⁷
• M7B1 Howitzer Motor Carriage: Standardized in September 1943. Declared Substitute Standard in January 1945. Used chassis of M4A3.⁷ Cast nose. Pressed Steel produced vehicles. There were hinged plates on the side to protect the tips of the ammunition (stored vertically) from being hit by arms fire.¹ Late models had lower hull made out of soft steel because of economy measures.¹ Federal Welder built 127 of both types.
• M37 Howitzer Motor Carriage:

Usage

British Service:

Initially ordered 2,500 and this was later increased by 3,000.¹ The MG gun position reminded the British soldiers of a church pulpit and was called the "Priest."^1,6

• Priest: In September 1942, 90 M7s were sent to 8th Army and was available for Battle of Alamein.^1,7 Were used in Normandy but were soon replaced by Sextons. Could have a No. 19 wireless radio installed if 24 rounds of ammunition were removed.
  Used by the 5th Royal Horse Artillery at the Battle of Alamein.⁶
• Priest Kangaroo: 102 were converted from October 1944 - April 1945. Carried 20 infantrymen plus crew of 2.
• Priest OP: Removed gun and added communications gear.

Specifications