Middlesex Township near Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
The Army Introduces a Heavyweight: The 3-Inch Antitank Gun M5/M6
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
1. The Army Introduces a Heavyweight: Marker
Responding to the battlefield realities encountered in the North African campaign against German armor, the United States Army Ordnance Department began to develop a heavier anti-tank gun to replace the diminutive 37mm M3A1 then serving on the front lines in 1942. By modifying the chamber of the barrel from the 3-inch Antiaircraft gun, (M3) and replacing the breech with that of the 105mm Howitzer (M2A1), a hybrid barrel, classified as the 3-inch Anti-tank gun (M5) was put into production. The new gun was then mounted to the M6 carriage, which was also developed out of the 105mm Howitzer’s and further modified with sloped shields to protect the crew from small arms fire. The new gun, designated the 3-inch Antitank Gun, M5/M6 was capable of penetrating armor 3.31 inches thick at 2,000 yards. Although heavy, requiring a 6x6 vehicle to haul it into combat, the 2,500 pieces produced during the war proved worthy weapons against Axis armor.
3-Inch Antitank Gun Gun: 3 Inch anti-tank
M5/M6
Weight: 5,580 lbs.
Length: 22.5 feet
Height: 5 feet
Range: 16,100 yards
Ammunition: AP; HE
Muzzle Velocity: 2600-2800 feet per second
[Captions:]
Soldiers of Co. A, 772nd Tank Destroyer Bn. set up a 3-inch antitank gun in the snow covered
this page online
The 3-inch antitank gun with trails and spades developed for firing. Its great weight prevented this gun from being towed by a jeep.
Erected by U.S. Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II.
Location. This marker has been replaced by another marker nearby. It was located near 40° 12.333′ N, 77° 9.548′ W. Marker was near Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It was in Middlesex Township. Marker could be reached from Army Heritage Drive. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location. Civil War Winter Cabins (within shouting distance of this marker); Sergeant Frederick A. Counsel (within shouting distance of this marker); Reception Centers (within shouting distance of this marker); Induction Centers (within shouting distance of this marker); World War II Core Area (within shouting distance of this marker); Kady Brownell (within shouting distance of this marker); Sergeant Michael A. Mira (within shouting
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 11, 2012
2. M5/M6 on display
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has been replaced with the linked marker with different erecting organization information.
Also see . . . 3-inch gun M5. Wikipedia entry. (Submitted on April 16, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
3. The Army Introduces a Heavyweight: Marker
The marker and gun are no longer in this location.
Photographed By Larry Gertner, September 5, 2018
4. The Army Introduces a Heavyweight: Marker
The gun and marker have been relocated to an area near the parking lot.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 168 times since then and 5 times this year. Last updated on March 9, 2021, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3, 4. submitted on September 10, 2018, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.
