" VEHICULAR FIRING OF THE M5 LIGHT TANK " WWII STUART TANK CREW GUNNERY TRAINING FILM 13854
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Published 2023-06-06
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Originally restricted, this WWII training film "Vehicular Firing M5 Light Tank" shows a "preflight" readiness checklist performed by the crew, and then focuses on the role of the gunner, who is tasked with operating the 37mm gun. After a combat training exercise, the procedures for shutting down and stowing the tank are shown. The narrator focuses on the role of the Stuart in taking out enemy machine gun, anti-tank, and emplacement positions -- but notes at 1:40 that it was "never intended" to take out enemy heavy armor, especially at long ranges. The instruction provided is to close with 400 yards of an enemy tank, and then aim the highly-precise 37mm gun at an enemy tank's weak spot (such as the tread). At (2:15), a Stuart crew is shown at a practice range. The crew is described -- first the tank commander / assistant gunner / coaxial machine gunner is shown, the gunner, a bow gunner in charge of the bow machine gun and assistant driver, and the driver (3:00). At (3:15) steps to start the tank are shown including warming up the vacuum tube based interphone. At (3:52) the tank is buttoned up. At (4:15) the .30 caliber machine gun is inspected and made ready. At (5:12) the turret is unlocked and traversed. At (6:26) the gyro control unit is put to vertical and the gun freed. The stabilizer and stiffness of the gun is adjusted (7:00) to keep the recoil uniform. At (7;29) the gas line for the motor is opened. At (8:14) the 37mm gun is thoroughly checked out and the electronic firing controls inspected. At (9:27) the breech is opened and ammunition boxes inspected. At (9:56) the commander installs his periscope. At (10:11) the gun is aligned with the periscope sight by using a fire tower as an aiming point. The barrel of the gun is aligned by eye. Animation shows this more clearly. At (13:20) spare heads are also aligned (in case one is damaged in combat). At (13:40) a direct vision scope is mounted. At (14:39) battle conditions are simulated on the range, with the commander using a periscope to view the situation. Various commands are demonstrated, including loading of various types of ammunition, and firing range and position. At (17:20) the method of determining a target's range and position is demonstrated through animation. At (19:40) use of tracer ammunition is demonstrated, including use of the coaxial machine gun's tracers to help locate the target. At (20:30) methods of correcting aim are summarized. At (21:23) use of a lead table to hit a moving enemy vehicle is shown. At (22:44) the after-action procedures are shown, including unloading the machine guns, opening the hatches, refilling all the ammo racks and boxes, and securing the gun and turret.
The M5 Light Tank was an improved version of the American M3 Stuart/Light Tank M3. The M5 was created after the Cadillac Division of GMC suggested to the Ordnance Department to install twin Cadillac engines and a commercial Cadillac Hydramatic transmission in an M3. The idea was more or less proved after the tank made a 500 mile test run. Due to the always acute shortage of Continental engines, the modified vehicle was approved for production and standardised as the Light Tank M5 in February 1942. (It was originally to be designated Light Tank M4, but this was changed to M5 to avoid confusion with the M4 medium tank (Sherman), then going into production.) The M5 model ended up being quieter, cooler and roomier than the M3, and the automatic transmission greatly simplified crew training.
The M3 tanks first entered combat service in North Africa through the lend-lease program in 1941. In British / Commonwealth service the tank was known as the "Stuart" (after Confederate general J. E. B. Stuart) or more colloquially as the "honey" because of its cushy ride. Roughly 170 M3s were used by the British forces in Operation Crusader (18 November – 30 December 1941). M3s were the first American-crewed tanks to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat when used in the Philippines in December 1941. The first American M5s to see combat action were part of Operation Torch. In the later years of WWII the M3 and M5 were used primarily for reconnaissance and screening. In all, 2075 M5s were produced (including British versions) during the war.
This film is part of the Periscope Film LLC archive, one of the largest historic military, transportation, and aviation stock footage collections in the USA. Entirely film backed, this material is available for licensing in 24p HD, 2k and 4k. For more information visit www.PeriscopeFilm.com/
All Comments (21)
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Now that the tank is ready to fire the war is over.
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This remains my favorite tank of World War II, I grew up reading about the crew of the 'Haunted Tank', Jeb, Arch, Rick and Slim and their adventures. They ultimately switched over to a Sherman tank at which time I quit buying the comic, the life of the comic ended shortly thereafter anyway.
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The film illustrates how important it is to have well trained dudes serving in a tank.
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Paraguay still has about ten Stuart’s in service in a training role. Pretty cool considering that they’re eighty years old.
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The radio has time to warm up. We take so much for granted now.
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Step 457: check whether the enemy's location is still in the same country
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By the time the crew is finished, they'll be ready for the Korean War
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I learned to gun on an M48A5 and could slip right into the Gunner seat on this thing. It's really not that much different from the degraded mode gunnery we practiced on the Abrams as well. Very cool.
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The motor confabulator must be at exactly 67°. The gunner must relay his firing Solution to the driver for verification. Care must be taken to accurately assess the fuel mixture for optimum carburetor intake. Log each setting in triplicate and send a radio message to the Quartermaster. Now, choosing the round to be fired is accomplished through drawing straws......
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I love those little tanks in War Thunder. The 37mm is so cute.
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Why do homework when you can learn how to fire a tank from world war two
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I’m glad the German’s were polite enough to wait while we prepared to fire.
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The tank is in such new condition, it's really a treat to see in 2023.
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Make sure a smart ass rabbit has not stolen the Illudium Q-36 Explosive Space Modulator.
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I wish the crew conversations had been recorded at the battle of Alligator Creek on Guadalcanal in August 1942
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Every tank wargamer should watch this to appreciate how it is done.
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Wait until the enemy tank closes to 400 yards.... Which will be easy to do since you will be burning scrap from the enemy shot taken from 1200.
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Would have been a big help for the 7th Cavalry.
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9:33 I bet there weren't many that end of the war with their lands and grooves so sharply delineated
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I never was a tanker, but I do have respect for guys willing to ride in a tracked coffin.
