M7 Priest Self-Propelled Gun

M7 Priest Self-Propelled Gun. . An excellent example of American design potential, the M7 served to drastically change artillery soldiers' contributions to mobile warfare. The M7 could drive up to a firing position, establish reference points, and be ready for indirect fire missions without going through the time-consuming work of unlimbering and emplacing its gun or breaking down its ammunition caissons. When ordered to displace, the crew could simply start the engine and drive away, drastically limiting the effects of counter battery fire. The M7 could also be used for conducting rapid direct fire engagements with a high degree of armored protection., The nickname "Priest" came from the M7's unusual design. An armored gun tub was mounted to the right-hand side of the cannon giving the vehicle commander a good vantage point from which to fire his machinegun and direct the crew's activities. For ground troops, this image reminded them of a priest in a church pulpit., Vehicle Specifications , Armament: 1 x 105 mm M2A1 howitzer (in M4 mount) with 69 rounds, 1 x 50 caliber M2 machinegun with 300 rounds , Crew: 7 , Weight: 56,470 lbs , Maximum effective weapons range: 11,400 yards , Speed: 25 mph , Maximum armor thickness: 4.5 in (lower hull), 5 in (upper hull) , Production: 3,500 , Year entering service: 1942