Ranville in Calvados, Normandy, France — Western Europe

M3/M5 A1 Half Track

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

1. M3/M5 A1 Half Track Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

French:
Le Half Track M3/M5 américain constituait un véhicule idéal pour jouer un rôle de reconnaissance et pour le trans-port des troupes. Ce modèle était utilisé par la 51eme Highland Division, une unité débarquée sur Sword Beach le Jour J qui a combattu aux côtés de la 6eme Division Aéroportée en Normandie. En décembre 1944, au cours de l'offensive allemande dans les Ardennes belges, les forces aéroportées ont été trans-portées sur place à bord de Half Tracks afin de renforcer les troupes alliées qui essayaient d'empêcher les Allemands d'avancer jusqu'à Anvers. Le M3/M5 a été très utilisé par tous les pays alliés au cours de la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Près de 41 000 Half Tracks ont été construits en 70 modèles différents.

English:
The American M3 M5 Half Track was a vehicle ideal in the reconnaissance role and for the transportation of troops. This example was used by the British 51st Highland Division, a seaborne unit which landed on Sword Beach on D-Day and fought alongside the 6th Airborne Division in Normandy. In December 1944, during the German Offensive in the Ardennes in

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Belgium, airborne forces were transported there in Half Tracks to reinforce the Allied Troops trying to prevent the German thrust towards Antwerp. The M3/M5 was used extensively by all Allied Nations during the Second World War. Over 41,000 Half Tracks were constructed, in 70 different versions.

Erected by Memorial Pegasus and Museum. (Marker Number 24.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is December 1944.

Location. 49° 14.547′ N, 0° 16.277′ W. Marker is in Ranville, Normandie (Normandy), in Calvados. It is at the intersection of Av. Major John Howard and Normandie Route D514 on Av. Major John Howard. The marker is located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Av Major John Howard, Ranville, Normandie 14860, France. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

a coastal Mediterranean country,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony

and also the Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: M45 Quadruple / M45 Quadmount (here, next to this marker); Canon de 40 mm Bofors / Bofors 40 mm Gun (a few steps from this marker); La défense des ponts sur le Canal de Caen et de l'Orne (a few steps from this marker); Vidette (within shouting distance of this marker); Obusier de 5.5 pouces (140 mm) / 5.5 Inch Gun (within shouting distance

M3/M5 A1 Half Track and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

2. M3/M5 A1 Half Track and Marker

of this marker); Le Général de Brigade James Hill, D.S.O** M.С. / Brigadier James Hill D.S.O** М.С. (within shouting distance of this marker); Le Char Centaur MK IV / Centaur Tank MK IV (within shouting distance of this marker); Lance Corporal Brian J. Mullen (Sapper), R.E. (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Ranville.

More about this marker. The static displays and markers are located on the grounds of the Memorial Pegasus and Museum. There is an entrance fee to visit the museum and markers.

Also see . . . M3/M5 A1 Half Track. (Submitted on July 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)

M3/M5 A1 Half Track image. Click for full size.

Photographed by James Hulse, June 2, 2025

3. M3/M5 A1 Half Track

Credits. This page was last revised on July 2, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 92 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 2, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.