Sainte-Mère-Église in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
M8 Light Armored Car
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
1. M8 Light Armored Car Marker
Surnommé Greyhound par les Britanniques, la M8 Light Armored Car est une auto-mitrailleuse blindée à roues produit par Ford Motor Company. Développée entre 1941 et 1942, la M8 est initialement conçue pour servir de chasseur de chars léger mais la faiblesse de son armement la relègue très vite au rôle de véhicule de reconnaissance et de soutien d'infanterie.
La production démarre au mois de mars 1943. Les équipages la trouvaient rapide et simple d'utilisation. Toutefois, ses médiocres capacités en tout-terrain et la faiblesse de son blindage la rendaient vulnérable au combat.
Le modèle présenté est une M8 de 1944 aux couleurs du HQ 25th Cavalry Recon Squadron de la 4th Armored Division.
Production - 8 634 exemplaires
Longueur - 5 m
Largeur - 2,54 m
Hauteur - 2,25 m
Poids - 7,9 t
Armement - 1 canon 37 mm en tourelle, 1 mitrailleuse coaxiale 7,62 mm, 1 mitrailleuse 12,7 mm
Moteur - 6 cylindres en ligne essence, 110 CV à 3 200 tr/min
Vitesse - 90 km/h
Consommation - 60 L/100 km
Équipage - 4 hommes
Nicknamed the Greyhound by the British, the M8 Light Armored Car is a wheeled-armored vehicle produced by the Ford Motor Company. Developed between 1941 and 1942, the M8 was initially designed as a light tank destroyer, but its weak armament quickly relegated it to the role of an infantry support vehicle and reconnaissance.
Production began in March 1943. Crews found it quick and easy to operate. However, its mediocre off-road capabilities and weak armor made it vulnerable in combat.
The model shown is a 1944 M8 with the colors of the HQ 25th Cavalry Recon Squadron of the 4th Armored Division.
Production - 8,634 units
Length - 16 ft 4 in
Width - 8 ft 3 in
Height - 7 ft 4 in
Weight - 7.9 t
Armament - 1x37 mm turret gun, 1x.30 caliber coaxial machine gun, 1x.50 caliber machine gun
Engine - In-line 6-cylinder gasoline engine, 110 hp at 3,200 rpm
Speed - 56 mph
Consumption - 3.9 mi/gal
Crew - 4 men
Erected by Airborne Museum.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1943.
Location. 49° 24.459′ 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: M16 Multiple Gun Motor Carriage (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,
this page online
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 . . . M8 Greyhound. Wikipedia
The M8 light armored car is a 6×6 armored car produced by the Ford Motor Company during World War II. It was used from 1943 by United States and British forces in Europe and the Pacific until the end of the war. The vehicle was widely exported and as of 2024 still remained in service with some countries.(Submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
In British service, the M8 was known as the "Greyhound", a service name seldom, if ever, used by the US. The British Army found it too lightly armored, particularly the hull floor, which anti-tank mines could easily penetrate (the crews' solution was lining the floor of the crew compartment with sandbags). Nevertheless, it was produced in large numbers. The M8 Greyhound's excellent road mobility made it a great supportive element in the advancing American and British armored columns. It was marginal cross country, especially in mud.
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
2. M8 Light Armored Car and Marker (left marker)
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
3. The front side view of the M8 Light Armored Car
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
4. The side view of the M8 Light Armored Car
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 25 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
