In 1918 ten self-propelled gun carriages using the French-designed
155 m.m. GPF ("Grand Puissance Filloux") were manufactured at the Rock Island, Illinois Arsenal. In 1941 the concept
was revisited and a prototype, the T6, was made using the GPF gun and a modified Sherman tank. Testing and refinements indicated
it was a viable weapon and production of 100 units, designated M-12, followed. A page in War Department FM 30 40, dated
November, 1943 has drawings, photos and some specifications of the “155-mm Gun Motor Carriage, M12.” A note states:
“This is a standard 155-mm gun mounted on an M3 medium tank chassis. This weapon was used in the latter part of the
North African campaign and was instrumental in making the Germans vacate certain vital passes and, particularly, the city
of Mateur. The gun was used in the Sicilian campaign, and contributed greatly to the success of American troops there.”
M-12 Development and use
Click here to view the PDF file
In the ETO
Units in the ETO were the 174th, 258th, 557th, 558th, 987th and
991st Field Artillery Battalions. The 987th landed with the British on D-Day; the 174th landed on Omaha Beach July 2nd and
fired its first rounds on July 4th; the 258th was attached to the 3rd Armored Divsion on July 10th; the 558th arrived at Utah
Beach Aug 11 - 12th and fired its first rounds Aug 18th near Orleans; the 557th arrived at Utah Beach Aug 12 - 13 and joined
the siege of Brest on Aug 21st; the 991st was committed in Normandy Aug 13th.
Most units, if not all, were Corps-level artillery
and supported many divisions and combat commands as required. In the breakout from Normandy M-12s were especially valuable
in that they were the only heavy artillery which could keep up with the armored spearheads. Often used in point-blank
situations to neutralize pill boxes and other strong points, the guns were equally effective as conventional artillery.
Links:
J. Paul Croy's account of his battalion's experience
Bill Larkin's excellent 558 F.A. Bn site - has 557th content also
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http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/usarmy/ artillery.aspx
(Contains good reference to M-12s and describes WW 2 fire direction and F.A. observation practices)
http://www.wwiivehicles.com/html/usa/ m12_gun_motor_carriage.html
Book:
Sherman: a history of the American medium
tank © by Richard P. Hunnicutt, 2805 Bensons Way, Belmont, CA 94002
Contacts
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1101 Maplewood Dr.
Normal IL 61761
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4326 E. Tremont Ave.
Bronx NY 10465-3321
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184 Moore St.
Chicopee MA 01013
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POB 663
Waldport OR 97394
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13331 Camp Joy Rd.
Ore City TX 75683
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Mr. Dunbar has names, addresses and phone numbers for many 174th
veterans, and would welcome additional information about M-12 battalions. E-mail him at:
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| Servicing 174th guns after the fall of Brest |
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| 174th gun during Battle of the Bulge |
| 557th M-12 preparing to fire, early 1945 |
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| After the Bulge's snow and cold, came the mud... |
| The last M-12, Aberdeen Proving Ground Sept. 1997 |
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| 174th vets l. to r. LeJambre (Svc), Brown (B), Poe (Hq), Humphries (B), Smith (Hq), Green (Hq) |
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