The American M3 Half-track APC was built since 1942 by the U.S. firms White, Autocar, Diamond T, and then later by International. It is actually an armored truck in which they replaced the rear axle with a chain suspension. The M3 was designed as a troop carrier (Armored Personnel Carrier), but was also a weapons carrier, for example, for mortars, missiles and anti-aircraft guns. It was delivered to all allied troops and used on all fronts. Overall, about 41,000 units were built, some of which were still up and running in the 90's in some armies.
M3A1[]
M3A1 | |
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General Historical Information | |
Place of origin | USA |
Category | Armoured Personnel Carrier Armored Fighting Vehicle |
Debut in FHSW | Debut in Battlefield 1942 |
Speed | 72 km/h |
Main armament | 12.7 mm M2HB Browning 15x100 rounds |
General Ingame Information | |
Used by | USA Great Britain Canada Australia Soviet Union Netherlands |
Crew in‑game | 6 |
Special abilities | Setting up a Browning M1919A4 Tripod Ammunition supply of the crew |
Seat 4 | Passenger Seat |
Seat 5 | Passenger Seat |
Seat 6 | Passenger Seat |
Transporting artillery | - 40 mm Bofors M1936 - Ordnance QF 6 Pounder - 75mm M2A1 - M5 3 inch Anti-Tank Gun - T8 90 mm Anti-Tank Gun - 105mm M2A1 - 155 mm howitzer M1917A4 |
Historical Picture | |
In FHSW, the M3A1 can in many ways be essential for a successful attack. It can transport many soldiers at once and quickly be brought to the site and provides them with all the necessities. It can also act as mobile spawnpoint that can be put in an advantagous position. With its gun, it forces the enemy troops to cover and provides some protection against air raids. The Half-track also serves as the primary artillery tractor for the US and their allies, towing just about all their artillery that is on wheels. The M3A1 has a few minor improvements over the original game, such as the machine gunner is better protected, since the position is lower in the vehicle so that only the head is visible, there is also the option to duck for complete cover. Furthermore, the vehicle is now mostly bulletproof. The driver has the option to drop off a machine gun at tactically favorable positions.
The Soviet Union, Great Britain and the commonwealth forces have unique versions of this truck, instead of the Browning M2 a Bren or DP-machine gun may be mounted. In the British version with the Bren the hatches the driver can peek out from can be turned up or down either for more vision or protection. This version is also used by the Dutch.
M3A1M "Minelayer"[]
M3A1 "Minelayer" M3A1M | |
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General Historical Information | |
Place of origin | USA |
Category | Minelayer |
Debut in FHSW | Debut in Battlefield 1942 |
Speed | 72 km/h |
Main armament | 24 mines |
General Ingame Information | |
Used by | USA |
Crew in‑game | 2 |
Seat 2 | 12.7 mm M2HB Browning 8x200 rounds |
As the name suggests, it is a minelayer. It can be used to defend a flag against armoured attacks. However, you should lay the mines wisely, as they deny not only the enemy but your teammates. The mines will disappear after 120 seconds if they have not been detonated.
In order not to reveal the minefield, you should hide the vehicle after planting the mines or destroy it. An unoccupied minelayer in near a key location looks very suspicious.
There is also a equivalent version of the Sd.Kfz. 251 "Hanomag" for the Germans and their co-belligerents.
Derived vehicles in FHSW[]
- T19 105 mm HMC: M3 based Howitzer Motor Carriage equipped with the M2A1 105 mm howitzer.
- M16 MGMC: M3 based Multiple Gun Motor Carriage equipped with the Maxson M45 Quadmount with 4 M2HB machine guns.
- M17 MGMC - M16 MGMC variant, based on the M5 chassis. Sent under lend-lease to USSR
- 81 mm Mortar Motor Carriage M4A1
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Template:Minelayers