Sainte-Mère-Église in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
1. M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage Marker
Même si le concept de l'autochenille remonte à la fin de la Première Guerre mondiale, l'US Army s'inspire de la Citroën Kégresse, un véhicule à roues avant propulsé par des chenilles, pour concevoir en 1938 son semi-chenillé.
Conçus en 1940, le half-track M2 puis le M3 sont testés sous plusieurs variantes. À partir de 1941, trois entreprises se partagent la production, Autocar Co., Diamond-T Motor Car Co. et White Motor Co. Deux versions supplémentaires sont produites par International Harvester, le M5 et le M9.
En 1943, le M16 sort des usines White. Rapidement surnommé « Meat chopper », le hachoir à viande, il est d'une efficacité redoutable contre l'infanterie au sol grâce à sa tourelle équipée de 4 mitrailleuses de 12,7 mm !
Production - 2 877 exemplaires
Longueur - 6,50 m
Largeur - 2,16 m
Hauteur - 2,34 m
Poids - 9,3 t
Armement - Tourelle Maxon à 4 mitrailleuses de 12,7 mm
Moteur - 6 cylindres en ligne, 6,3 L essence, 147 CV, boite manuelle 4 rapports
Vitesse - 70 km/h
Consommation - 70 L/100 km
Équipage - 3 hommes
Although the concept of the half-track dates back to the end of the First World War, the US Army was inspired by the Citroën Kégresse, a front-wheel tracked vehicle, to design its half-track in 1938.
Designed in 1940, the M2 half-track and then the M3 were tested under several variations. From 1941, production was shared among the Autocar Co., the Diamond-T Motor Car Co. and the White Motor Co. Two other versions, the M5 and M9, were produced by International Harvester.
In 1943, the M16 leaves the White Motor Co. factories. Equipped with four.50 caliber machine guns on its turret, it was quickly dubbed the "Meat chopper" for its formidable firepower against ground infantry.
Production - 2,877 units
Length - 21 ft 3 in
Width - 7ft
Height - 7ft 6 in
Weight - 9.3 t
Armament - Maxon turret with four.50 caliber machine guns
Engine - 6-cylinder 6.3 L gasoline engine, 147 hp, 4-speed manual gearbox
Speed - 43 mph
Consumption - 3.3 mi/gal
Crew - 3 men
Erected by Airborne
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1938.
Location. 49° 24.461′ N, 1° 18.802′ W. Marker is in Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie (Normandy), in Manche. It is on Rue Eisenhower just east of Rue Général de Gaulle. The marker is located on the south side of the museum grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Rue Eisenhower, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie 50480, 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: M8 Light Armored Car (here, next to this marker); 105 mm Howitzer M2 (a few steps from this marker); Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); 90 mm Anti Aircraft Gun M1 (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Truck Cargo 6×6 CCKW 353
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
2. M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage Marker (right side)
More about this marker. The markers and static displays are located on the grounds of the Airborne Museum and a small entrance fee is required to enter.
Also see . . . M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage. Wikipedia
The M16 multiple gun motor carriage, also known as the M16 half-track, is an American self-propelled anti-aircraft weapon built during World War II. It was equipped with four .50 caliber (12.7 mm) M2 Browning machine guns in an M45 Quadmount. 2700 were produced by White Motor Corporation from May 1943 to March 1944, with 568 M13 MGMCs and 109 T10 half-tracks being converted into M16s as well.(Submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
3. M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage Marker
The military vehicle was missing from the static display area on the right side. The vehicle to the left of the marker is a M8 Light Armored Car (Greyhound).
Public Domain - US Army Signal Corps Photo #X/FEC-51-7416 Hunkins, Jr. - Wikipedia Commons, May 12, 1951
4. M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage - Korean Conflict
Men of Battery B, 15th AAA Battalion, 7th Infantry Division, fire quadruple .50 caliber machine guns from an M-16 at Chinese Communist-held positions, as men of the 3rd Battalion, 32nd RCT, 7th Inf. Div., prepare to launch an attack north of Chae-jae, Korea.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 5, 2025
5. M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage
This vehicle was on display during the Normandy D-Day 2025 celebrations at Sainte-Mère-Église near the Airborne Museum.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 55 times since then and 17 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. 5. submitted on December 14, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
