Artillery - USA: Illustrated History Books & Guides

M42 Duster - Self-Propelled Antiaircraft Vehicle (Legends of Warfare)

The M42 Duster, a tracked antiaircraft vehicle developed by Cadillac in the early 1950s for the US Army, featured the adaptation of the Bofors 40 mm AA gun to a modified M41/T41 tank chassis.
While not extensively utilized in its intended air defense role, the M42 found a unique purpose during the Vietnam War. Its compact size and agility, coupled with a high rate of fire and formidable sound, made it imposing.

Beyond its primary role, the Duster was repurposed for ground combat against infantry and light vehicles during the conflict, earning moderate acclaim.
This volume, comprising over 300 photos, provides a comprehensive visual exploration of the M42 Duster, showcasing every aspect of its interior and exterior, along with compelling combat images.

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155 mm Gun M1 'Long Tom': US Army Field Gun in World War II and Korea (Legends of Warfare)

Developed from the WWI-vintage French Canon de 155 mm Grande Puissance Filloux (GPF), the 155 mm gun M1A1, known as the "Long Tom," along with its companion, the 8-inch howitzer M1, formed the backbone of the US Army's heavy field artillery during WWII and Korea.
With ranges of just over 14 miles for the gun, and 10.5 miles for the howitzer, the cannons were notable for their long reach, heavy impact, and accuracy. These weapons were used on every front where GIs fought during WWII, and continued to be used by US forces, as well as those of allied nations, into the 1960s.

Through vintage and modern photos, this volume follows the development of the 155 mm and the 8-inch, the details of their construction, and field use, as well as providing an overview of their associated prime movers and ammunition carriers, including the Mack NO and the Allis-Chalmers M4 high-speed tractor of the WWII era, and the Mack M125 10-ton 6×6 of the 1950s.

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The Hawk Air Defense Missile System (Osprey)

Designed to counteract the threat posed by advanced 1950s Soviet-built aircraft, the first HAWK unit became operational in 1959. At its peak, it saw frontline service in the Far East, Panama, Europe, and in the Middle East.
Units were also used during the Cuban Missile Crisis, Vietnam War, and Persian Gulf War. In the hands of other nations, HAWK proved its efficacy in combat during the Arab-Israeli Wars, Iran-Iraq War, Chadian-Libyan War, and the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait.

Credited with shooting down more than 100 aircraft during its combat career, the HAWK system was respected for its lethality. Such was Soviet concern, that the USSR developed electronic jammers, anti-radiation missiles, and other countermeasures specifically to degrade its effectiveness.
The US retired its HAWK systems soon after the Cold War ended in 1991 when air defense priorities shifted from aircraft to ballistic missile defense, yet a modernized version of the system remains in service to this day in many nations.

Packed with archive photos and original artwork, this is the first book about the HAWK system. Featuring research from HAWK technical and field manuals, interviews with HAWK veterans, and detailing the authors' personal experiences with HAWK missile units, it provides a comprehensive study of one of the most lethal and effective air missile systems of all time.

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M65 Atomic Cannon - Rare Photographs from Wartime Archives (Images of War)

In 1949, the US Army wanted an artillery gun that could fire a nuclear warhead in the event that guided missiles and long-range bombers proved insufficient in delivering atomic weapons. The result was the M65, 280mm Atomic Cannon. On May 25, 1953, at 0830 hours, an M65 of A Battery, 867th Field Artillery Battalion, let loose with the only nuclear round the type would ever fire.

Six battalions of the M65 would eventually be deployed, most in Europe with one battalion sent to the Korean Peninsula. Though never used in combat, they served as a significant tactical nuclear deterrent in the early stages of the Cold War.
Through historic photos, this volume traces the development, production and deployment of this iconic piece of military equipment from the drawing boards to the Cold War battlefields of Europe.

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M40 Gun Motor Carriage and M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage in WWII and Korea (Legends of Warfare)

As the US entered WWII, the nation lacked heavy self-propelled artillery, instead relying heavily on towed artillery, much of it WWI-surplus. Only 100 examples of the nation's first heavy self-propelled gun, the M12, were built.
Finding favor once deployed, attention was turned to developing an improved model. Initially designated the T83, and later as the M40, the new 155mm Gun Motor Carriage was first fielded in the closing months of WWII.

Already scheduled for mass production, the M40, and its companion 8-inch howitzer-armed M43, continued to see extensive use during the Korean War, providing crucial support to infantry and armor formations.

Pages of the book "M40 Gun Motor Carriage and M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage in WWII and Korea"

The M40 Gun Motor Carriage and M43 Howitzer Motor Carriage are featured in over 200 photographs, providing a detailed study of the conception, development, testing, and combat use of these key vehicles.
Historic period images, as well as, meticulously photographed surviving examples, provide a detailed look at this important piece of US military hardware.

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American Breechloading Mobile Artillery 1875-1953 - An Illustrated Identification Guide

An illustrated identification guide to all the types of mobile field artillery (wheeled) adopted for service by US military forces (Army, Navy, Marine Corps) in the modernera.
Covers the period from 1875 and the first breechloading, rifled guns through types adopted during the Korean War. Major types profiled are field and infantry artillery, mountain guns, siege artillery, anti-tank guns and naval landing guns.

Pages of the book "American Breechloading Mobile Artillery 1875-1953 - An Illustrated Identification Guide"

Each type of gun is described in text, drawings, and photographs. Included are the history of the types development, major features, production, combat usage and comments about surviving examples. It will prove to be a valuable reference guide to military historians, students of artillery technology, and those caring for or collecting surviving examples.

This is the first comprehensive guide to American mobile artillery ever to be published.

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155mm Assault Gun M53 and 8-inch Howitzer M55, Self Propelled - Field Manual (FM6-93)

The 155mm assault gun M53 was developed with components taken from M47 Patton medium tanks during the Cold War. The M53, with its 155 mm primary gun, delivered long range support to allied positions, and its self-propelled design enabled it to travel great distances. The M53 eventually saw action with both the United States Army and Marine Corps. Pacific Car & Foundry Company was responsible for assembly.

Beginning in 1956, the United States Army upgraded its M53 line to the M55. The M55 was a fully armored self-propelled artillery based on the M53 155mm assault gun. It had a 203.2 mm howitzer which could traverse 30° left or right, carrying only 10 rounds of ammunition. The gun had a maximum range of 16,916 meters with a rate of fire of one round every two minutes.
The engine was mounted in the front and drove through a front-drive sprocket. The driver's cupola is visible on the front left of the turret, and spare track blocks were stored on the turret front. The M55 saw action during the Vietnam War, andwas then withdrawn from US military service.

Created in 1957, this field manual reveals a great deal about the M53's design and capabilities. Intended as a commander's manual for training crew members, it details many methods of attaining effecient teamwork while operating the gun. Drills are described in detail, with the ultimate goal beingthe successful operation of the M53 and M55 on the battlefield.
Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

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High Speed Tractor M-4 Technical Manual (TM 9-785)

Designed by Allis Chalmers on the chassis and drive train of the M2 Light Tank, the 18-ton M4 High Speed Tractor was a prime mover for the U.S. Army during World War II. It was tasked with moving artillery, in particular 3-inch and 90mm anti-aircraft guns, 155mm guns, and 8-inch and 240mm howitzers.

Built as a "crawler" and equipped with a 6-cylinder, water-cooled engine, the M4 could travel cross-country through swamps and sand, or on the highway at speeds up to 33 mph. Over 5,500 M4s were built between 1942 and 1945, with many remaining in service into the 1960s.

Created in 1943, this official TM 9-785 Technical Manual reveals a great deal about the M4's design and capabilities. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance, this manual shows many aspects of its engine, cooling, power, drive train and other systems.
Originally labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

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US Field Artillery of World War II (Osprey)

Determined to learn from the lessons of World War I, the US Army developed a new generation of field artillery weapons and tactics during the 1930s. Consequently, in World War II it was the clear leader in field artillery providing a thorough examination of the many critical innovations and doctrines, and the impact they had on performance, including the motorization of artillery, Fire Direction Centers, aerial observation, and radio communications.

Exploring, in their entirety, the weapons that formed the backbone of the US artillery arsenal in World War II, this book reveals a wealth of detail not readily available elsewhere.

Contents: Introduction - The World War I Legacy - US Divisional Field Artillery - US Corps Heavy Artillery - The International Dimension - Cannon on the Move - Further Reading - Color Plate Commentary - Index.

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US Anti-tank Artillery, 1941-45 (Osprey)

The US Army's development of the 37mm anti-tank gun began in response to needs identified during the Spanish Civil War. By the time it entered service in Tunisia in 1943, the gun was already obsolete, and the US began the licensed manufacture of the British 6-pdr in the hope of finding a quick solution to its artillery requirements. This in turn proved unequal to the demands of warfare in France in 1944, and further anti-tank measures were developed - rocket propelled grenades for infantry use, and weapons designed specifically for use by the Tank Destroyer Force.

Contents: Introduction - Design and Development - Operation History - Variants - Color plate commentary.

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