World War 2 In Review

Battle of the Bulge: American tank destroyers move forward during heavy fog to stem German spearhead near Werbomont, Belgium, 20 December 1944. Werbomont, 703rd TD, 82nd Airborne Div.

The M36 tank destroyer, formally 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage, M36, was an American tank destroyer used during World War II. The M36 combined the hull of the M10 tank destroyer, which used the M4 Sherman's reliable chassis and drivetrain combined with sloped armor, and a new turret mounting the 90 mm gun M3. Conceived in 1943, the M36 first served in combat in Europe in October 1944, where it partially replaced the M10 tank destroyer. It also saw use in the Korean War, where it was able to defeat any of the Soviet tanks used in that conflict. Some were supplied to South Korea as part of the Military Assistance Program and served for years, as did re-engined examples found in Yugoslavia, which operated into the 1990s. Two remained in service with the Republic of China Army at least until 2001.

The vehicle is also known by the nickname General Jackson, or just Jackson, which was originally assigned to the vehicle by the Ordnance Department in November 1944 for publicity purposes, such as in newspapers, but does not appear to have been used by troops in the field during the war.

Doctrine

U.S. combined arms doctrine on the eve of World War II held that tanks should be designed to fulfill the role of forcing a breakthrough into enemy rear areas. Separate GHQ tank battalions would support infantry in destroying fixed enemy defenses, and armored divisions would then exploit the breakthrough to rush into the enemy's vulnerable rear areas. U.S. tanks were expected to fight any hostile tanks they encountered in their attack, but the mission of defeating massed enemy armored counterattacks was assigned to a new branch, the Tank Destroyer Force. Tank destroyer units were meant to counter German blitzkrieg tactics. They were to be held as a reserve at the corps or army level, and were to move quickly to the site of any massed enemy tank breakthrough, maneuvering aggressively and using ambush tactics (charging or chasing enemy tanks was explicitly prohibited) to destroy enemy tanks. This led to a requirement for fast, well-armed vehicles. Though equipped with turrets (unlike most self-propelled anti-tank guns of the day), the typical American design was more heavily gunned, but more lightly armored, and thus more maneuverable, than a contemporary tank. The idea was to use speed and agility to bring a powerful self-propelled anti-tank gun into action against enemy tanks.

Design

With the advent of heavy German tanks such as the Panther and Tiger, the standard U.S. tank destroyer, the M10, was rapidly becoming obsolete, because its main armament, the 3-inch gun M7, had difficulty defeating the thick frontal armor of the newer tanks past several hundred yards. In late summer 1942 American engineers had begun examining the potential of a new tank destroyer armed with a 90mm gun, and produced the prototype 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage T53, which placed the 90 mm gun in an open mounting at the rear of an M4 Sherman chassis. In August 1942, it was agreed to immediately produce 500 vehicles, with 3,500 more later. The Tank Destroyer Force objected, arguing that the design of the T53 was too rushed. The 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage T53E1 proved to be even worse, and the contract was canceled.

In October 1942, the Ordnance Department tested mounting the experimental 90 mm gun T7 into the turret of an M10 tank destroyer. General Andrew Bruce, head of the Tank Destroyer Force, objected to the project, favoring the lighter Gun Motor Carriage M18 'Hellcat', but was ignored. Mounting the 90 mm gun was straightforward, but the gun proved too heavy for the M10's turret, and a new turret was designed with power traverse, and a massive counterweight to balance the gun. The first two M36 prototypes, designated 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage T71 were completed in September 1943. Initially, a request for full production was denied as 90 mm guns were already being studied for use on tanks, but Army Ground Forces approved the project in October 1943, and tests began. The ring mount on the left side of the turret for the .50 caliber Browning M2HB antiaircraft machine gun was changed to a pintle mount at the rear. It was decided that production vehicles would use the chassis of the M10A1 tank destroyer, as the M10A1 had superior automotive characteristics, and significant numbers were available. After testing, an initial order for 300 vehicles was issued. The T71 was designated upon standardization on 1 June 1944 as the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36.

General Information

Type: Self-propelled anti-tank gun

Place of origin: United States

Wars: World War II, First Indochina War, Korean War, Second Taiwan Strait Crisis, Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Iran–Iraq War, Slovenian War 1991, Croatian War 1991-95, Bosnian War, Kosovo War

Designer: U.S. Army Ordnance Department

Designed: 1943

Manufacturer: General Motors, Massey-Harris, American Locomotive Company, Montreal Locomotive Works

Unit cost: US$51,290 (equivalent to $916,142 in 2024) (M36)

Produced: April–August 1944, October–December 1944, May 1945

Number built: 2,324 (all models)

Specifications (90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36)

Mass: 63,000 lb (32 short tons; 29 t)

Length: 19 ft 7 in (5.97 m) hull, 24 ft 6 in (7.47 m) including gun

Width: 10 ft 0 in (3.05 m)

Height: 10 ft 9 in (3.28 m) over antiaircraft machine gun

Crew: 5 (Commander, gunner, loader, driver, assistant driver)

Armor: 0.375 to 5 in (9.5 to 127.0 mm)

Main armament: 90 mm gun M3, 47 rounds

Secondary armament: .50 caliber (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB machine gun, 1,000 rounds

Engine:

M36, M36B1: Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine, 450 hp (340 kW) at 2,600 rpm

M36B2: General Motors 6046 twin inline diesel engine, 375 hp (280 kW) at 2,100 rpm

Power/weight: 15.2 hp (11.3 kW)/metric ton

Transmission: Synchromesh, 5 speeds forward, 1 reverse

Suspension: Vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS)

Fuel capacity: 192 US gallons (727 liters)

Operational range: 150 mi (240 km)

Maximum speed: 26 mph (42 km/h) on road

Production

After July 1943, the appliqué armor (add on armor) bosses on the hull side of later M10A1s were omitted as the armor kits were never manufactured. The M36 initially retained the M10A1's "stirrup" gun rest on the rear hull; crews were unhappy about the lack of a travel lock to hold the 90 mm gun in a fixed position when in motion, and many improvised their own from travel locks taken from tanks. A double-baffle muzzle brake was fitted to all vehicles after the first 600, beginning in early November 1944. A folding travel lock better-suited to the 90 mm gun was added to the rear hull at about this time. The gun itself was also modified with a better equilibrator and more powerful elevating mechanism.

As the initial contract was for 300 vehicles, General Motors' Fisher Tank Arsenal produced the last 300 M10A1 tank destroyers in January 1944 without turrets for immediate conversion to M36s, which took place from April to July 1944. The contract was later increased to 500 vehicles, as it was decided that existing M10A1s were also to be converted to M36s. The requirement was later increased to 600 vehicles on 15 May 1944. As it was found that the M10 tank destroyer had struggled against German tanks like the Panther and especially the Tiger during the Normandy campaign, the contract was increased to 1,400 vehicles on 29 July 1944. This caused problems, as only 913 of the 1,413 M10A1s that had been completed could be requisitioned from training units. Due to the lack of M10A1 hulls, it was decided to finish up the initial production run by mounting M36 turrets onto M4A3 Sherman hulls (which had the same engine as the M10A1) with the necessary internal changes; these were designated M36B1. The production of 187 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1 ran from October to December 1944. From June to December 1944, Massey-Harris converted 500 M10A1s into M36s. From October to December 1944, American Locomotive Company converted 413 M10A1s into M36s. The Army reduced the 1,400-vehicle objective for 1944 to 1,342 vehicles. 350 more conversions were scheduled for 1945; this number was increased to 584. A final batch of 200 M10A1s was converted by the Montreal Locomotive Works in May 1945.

The supply of M10A1s eventually ran out, so it was decided in January 1945 that M10 hulls would be used for all further conversions. American Locomotive Company converted 672 M10 hulls into the 90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2 beginning in May 1945. A further batch of 52 M36B2s was completed by the Montreal Locomotive Works in May 1945.

Production of M36, M36B1, and M36B2
*Month*	*M36*	*M36B1*	*M36B2*
*April 1944*	25
*May 1944*	100
*June 1944*	120
*July 1944*	155
*August 1944*	100
*October 1944*	75	50
*November 1944*	290	93
*December 1944*	348	44
*May 1945*	10		50
*Post-war*	190		674
*Total*	1,413	187	724

Combat Use

The first 40 M36s were not shipped overseas until September 1944, and entered combat in October 1944. The US First and Ninth Armies used M36s to re-equip tank destroyer battalions attached to armored divisions. The 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion began re-equipping on 30 September 1944. The Third US Army used them to re-equip towed battalions. The 610th Tank Destroyer Battalion (Towed) began retraining on 25 September 1944. The first tank destroyer battalion to receive the M36 in early September, the 776th, was in transit from Italy at the time and did not use them in combat until October 1944. By the end of 1944, seven tank destroyer battalions had converted to the M36; the M36 had mostly replaced the M10 by the end of the war.

The M36 was well-liked by its crews, being one of the few armored fighting vehicles available to US forces that could destroy heavy German tanks from a distance. An 814th gunner, Lt Alfred Rose, scored a kill against a Panther at 4,600 yards (4200 meters), the maximum range of the telescopic sight. However, the Panther's 82 to 85mm thick glacis plate could deflect shots at certain angles from the 90 mm gun at just 150 yards (137 meters). Testing done in December 1944 by the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion concluded that the M36's 90mm Gun would theoretically not be able to penetrate the frontal armor of a Tiger II at any range with the ammunition that was available to them. and that it was tactically viable to engage Panther tanks from the side.

Korean War

The M36 was used by the US Army in the Korean War. It could destroy any Soviet-made AFV encountered there. One postwar modification was the addition of a ball-mounted machine gun on the co-driver's side, as in many other armored fighting vehicles of the time. Due to the shortage of M26 and M46 tanks, the M36 became one of the preferred armored vehicles for US Military Assistance Program transfers.

The M36 was classified as a tank by the Republic of Korea Army despite being a self-propelled gun. The South Korean army, which began the war without having a single tank, pushed for the creation of an armored unit and acquired the first six M36s for training in late October 1950. During the war, the South Korean Army received about 200 M36/M36B2s from the US, and operated 9 tank companies. Each company was assigned to the frontline infantry division, and each tank platoon, consisting of five M36s, was attached to an infantry regiment for fire support missions. South Korean M36s retained the latest updates such as the M3A1 main gun and turret top armor. These Korean War GMCs also installed machine gun ball mount for the assistant driver to fight against infantry. The M36 played a powerful role by direct firing at the enemy's position during the battle for high ground. Since it was operated by Koreans, command and communication between infantry and armored units were smooth, and it had a significant effect on boosting morale.

During the Battle of White Horse during 6–15 October 1952, the 53rd Tank Company, assigned to the 9th Infantry Division, contributed to the victory by bombarding the side of the enemy's offensive force and suppressing heavy weapons deployed on the enemy-occupied highlands. In the Battle of Betty Hill on 15–16 July 1953, the 57th Tank Company of the 3rd Tank Battalion provided direct fire support for a platoon defending the highlands overnight, which claimed the lives of 300 communist soldiers. However, the M36 had limitations for large-scale operations due to the equipment already being retired from the U.S. military: spare parts were scarce, and it was difficult to obtain further fully functional vehicles. Servicing became even harder because units were scattered around infantry units. Therefore, the Korean Army began operating in large numbers, forming three armored battalions in early 1953.

Indo-Pakistani Wars

Pakistan procured between 25 and 75 M36B2s in 1956, which were refurbished second-hand units from US stocks. Its 90 mm gun had better performance than the 76 mm M4A1E6 Shermans used by the Pakistani Armored Corps. The M36s were called "Tank Busters" in the Pakistan Army, though due to constant mechanical failures probably because of inexperienced maintenance personnel and drivers, they were disliked by soldiers of the Pakistani Armored Corps. Colonel M. Yahya Effendi who served with the 11th Cavalry in the 1965 war recollects that:

It was an awkward fighting vehicle in every sense. The synchronization of the engines was a nuisance for the mechanics, and while driving, an inexperienced or flappy driver could smash the single plate clutch by sudden release, thus immobilizing the vehicle.

Their first combat use by the Pakistan Army was in early September 1965 during Operation Grand Slam at Chumb when 11 M36B2s under the command of Major Mian Raza Shah of the 11th Cavalry fought against AMX-13s of the Indian 20 Lancers. Despite winning the battle, the M36s had performed poorly; only two M36s were in fighting condition after the confrontation; most had broken down in the early hours of the battle, with a few (including the CO's M36) being knocked out by Indian fire.

The M36s saw more action on the Lahore Front. In the Battle of Phillora, the Pakistani 11th Cavalry, which had twelve M36B2s along with its main force of M48s, fought an intense five-day battle against Centurion MBTs of the Indian Poona Horse and Hodson's Horse. At one instance on 11 September, mechanic Daffadar Haq Nawaz took command of an M36B2 whose commander had been injured, and destroyed two Indian Centurions before his M36B2 was fatally hit. At the Chawinda, the Guides Cavalry was equipped with a squadron of M36B2s, deployed to guard the artillery units. The M36B2 was phased out of the Armored Corps after the war.

Despite being obsolete by the time of the 1971 War, some independent squadrons of the Pakistani Armored Corps received a number of M36B2s. A depleted squadron of M36B2s of "Manto Force" saw action during the Battle of Chumb while 14th Independent Armored Squadron took part in the Battle of Barapind.

Other Wars

M36s were also exported after World War II to various countries. They were used by the French army during the First Indochina War. The Republic of China Army acquired eight ex-French examples in 1955. They were stationed in Kinmen Island group, and saw combat during the Second Taiwan Strait Crisis in 1958. They were deemed more maneuverable than the bigger M48A3 and later CM11/12 MBTs, while being more powerful than M24 and M41 light tanks. As of April 2001, at least two still remained in service with troops in Lieyu Township.

Another recipient was Yugoslavia, which received 399. The engine was later replaced by the 500 hp Soviet-made diesel engine used in T-55 main battle tanks. Yugoslavian M36s participated in the Slovenian War of Independence (1991) and Croatian War of Independence (1991–1995), but they were withdrawn immediately from service with the Croatian Armed Forces after the war. M36s were also used by Serbian forces in Bosnia and Croatia, and they were used during the Kosovo War as decoys for NATO air strikes.

Armor

American tank destroyer doctrine emphasized speed and gun power over armor. As the M10 and M36 were not purpose-built tank destroyers (they were based on tank chassis) they were not as fast as the Tank Destroyer Force wanted. General Andrew Bruce criticized the M36 due to it being too slow. The armor configuration of the M36 was identical to that of the M10A1, save the turret. The thickness of the M36's armor ranged from 0.375 to 5.0 in (9.5 to 127.0 mm).

The lower hull had 1 in (25 mm) thick armor on the sides and rear. The rounded, cast transmission cover was 2 in (51 mm) thick. Like the M10, the M36 did not have an extra 0.5 in (13 mm) floor plate under the driver's and assistant driver's stations to provide additional protection against mines. The glacis plate was 1.5 in (38 mm) thick, sloped at 55 degrees from the vertical, and had eight large bosses on it to attach appliqué armor plates. The sides and rear of the upper hull were 0.75 in (19 mm) thick, sloped at 38 degrees from the vertical. Earlier M10s converted to M36s had 12 appliqué armor bosses on each side of the M36's upper hull. The rear upper hull plate was used for storage of the vehicle's pioneer tools; an axe, a crowbar, a mattock handle and head, a double-sided 10 lb (4.5 kg) sledgehammer, and a track tensioning wrench, so no appliqué armor bosses could be fitted there. The sides and rear of the upper hull had angled extensions or covers over the upper run of track. These extensions often got in the way of fitting duckbill extended end connectors, used to reduce ground pressure on soft ground, and were often removed, along with the front fenders, by maintenance units. The hull roof plate ranged from 0.75 in (19 mm) thick over the driver's and assistant driver's stations and turret ring, to 0.5 in (13 mm) thick over the engine compartment.

The M36B1 had the hull armor configuration of the late production M4A3 Sherman tank.

The sides of the M36's rounded turret were made of rolled armor plate 1.25 in (32 mm) thick. A massive hollow cast counterweight was welded to the rear of the turret to balance the heavy gun. The top was 0.38 to 1 in (9.7 to 25.4 mm) thick, the sides were 1.25 in (32 mm) thick, and the rear was 1.75 to 5 in (44 to 127 mm) thick. The rounded cast gun shield was 3 in (76 mm) thick.

Armament

Primary

The M36 tank destroyer used an M10A1 chassis (the M36B1 used an M4A3 Sherman chassis, while the M36B2 used an M10 chassis) mounting a large, open-topped turret mounting a 90 mm gun M3. The gunner aimed the gun using the M76F telescope. The 90 mm gun M3 was the standardized version of the experimental T7, a derivative of the 90 mm gun developed as a vehicle-mounted antitank weapon. The M36 carried 47 rounds of main gun ammunition, 11 of which were stowed in the hollow counterweight, while 36 rounds were stowed in the sponsons. For combat use, the 90mm gun M3 could fire five types of ammunition:

M77 AP-T shot

T33 AP-T shot

M82 APC/HE-T shell

M71 HE shell

T30E16 (M304) HVAP-T shot

The M82 armor-piercing capped shot was the main round used for engaging enemy tanks. It had a large explosive filler to increase damage after penetration. It was capable of penetrating 129 mm (5.1 in) of armor angled at 30 degrees from the vertical at 500 yd (0.28 mi; 0.46 km) and 122 mm (4.8 in) of armor at 1,000 yd (0.57 mi; 0.91 km). The T30E16 HVAP shot was capable of penetrating 221 mm (8.7 in) of armor angled at 30 degrees from the vertical at 500 yd (0.28 mi; 0.46 km), and 199 mm (7.8 in) of armor at 1,000 yd (0.57 mi; 0.91 km). The T30E16 HVAP round had difficulty with the highly sloped glacis plate of the German Panther tank, so the T33 AP shot was developed to solve this problem. The T33 shot was a normal substitute standard M77 armor piercing shot that was heat-treated to improve its hardness and fitted with a ballistic windshield to improve its drag characteristics. The T33 and T30E16 were only issued in very small numbers towards the end of World War II. The M71 high explosive shell was used for indirect fire, or engaging enemy infantry, antitank guns, light vehicles, or other soft targets.

Secondary

The M36 tank destroyer was equipped with a single .50 caliber (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB machine gun for anti-aircraft or anti-personnel use, with 1,000 rounds of ammunition. Due to the difficulty in firing the .50 caliber machine gun directly to the front, the pintle was often repositioned to the front of the turret, or a .30 caliber (7.62 mm) Browning M1919A4 machine gun mounted there. The M36B1 retained the bow machine gun of the M4A3 Sherman tank, and had 2,000 rounds of ammunition for it. The crew had their personal weapons for self-defense.

Variants

90 mm Gun Motor Carriage T71: Prototype 90 mm gun turret on 3-inch GMC M10A1 hull. Turret redesigned and standardized as M36

90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36: 90 mm gun turret on M10A1 GMC hull. 300 built at Grand Blanc from April–July 1944 with 413 at American Loco Co Oct-Dec 1944 and 500 at Massey-Harris June-Dec 1944 by converting M10A1. Montreal Loco Works built 85 in May–June 1945.

90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1: 90 mm gun turret on M4A3 Sherman hull and chassis. 187 built at Grand Blanc October–December 1944.

90 mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2: 90 mm gun turret on M10 hull. Armored covers for turret were added to some M36B2s. 237 produced by converting M10s at American Loco in April–May 1945.

Former Operators

Republic of Bosnia and Herzegovina: Bosnian Army used them as part of the Yugoslav Wars

Croatia: Croatian Army used many during the Croatian War of Independence.

France: Free French & French Armed Forces Post-war, including use of M36B2 by the Régiment blindé colonial d'Extrême-Orient (RBCEO) in the First Indochina War.

Iraq: Very few captured from Iran.

Iran: The Iranian Army used M36, M36B1 and M36B2 during the Iran–Iraq War.

Italy: The Italian Army had about 36 M36 post-war, from July 1953 to 1956 in the Self-Propelled Anti-Tank (SPAT) Bns of the two armored divisions, from 1956 to 1961 in two Corps-level SPAT Bns (109th and 110th), and from 1961 to 1975 in some of the SPAT companies attached to the Bersaglieri Regiments.

Pakistan: Procured around 75 M36B2 Tank Busters in 1956. They were used in the Indo-Pakistani wars of 1965 and 1971. Officially decommissioned after the 1965 war though used in emergency situations during the 1971 war in small numbers.

Philippines: Philippine Army: Retired in 1960s

Taiwan: Republic of China Army acquired eight M36B2 in 1955 from France, retired in the early 2000s

Serbia: Serbian Army used some during the Yugoslav Wars

Slovenia: Slovenian Army used some during the Ten-Day War

South Korea: First received in October 1950, around 200 vehicles served in the Army during the Korean War. Retired from active service in 1959 after being replaced by M4A3E8, and was used as fixed artillery.

Turkey: 222 given by United States.

United States: US Army main operator.

Yugoslavia: Yugoslav Army Passed onto successor states.

Sources

"United States' M36, M36B1, M36B2 Tank Destroyers", World War II Vehicles, Tanks, and Airplanes

Standard Military Motor Vehicles. dated 1 Sept. 1943

TM 9-745 90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2, 1945

TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1, 1945

TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71 (M36 GMC)

TM 9-374 90MM Gun M3 Mounted in Combat Vehicles

Chamberlain, Peter; Ellis, Chris (1981) [1969], British and American Tanks of World War Two, Arco

Green, Michael (2014), American Tanks & AFVs of World War II, Oxford: Osprey Publishing

Mesko, Jim (2003), US Tank Destroyers, Walk Around Number 5703, Carrollton: Squadron/Signal

Zaloga, Steven (2002), M10 and M36 Tank Destroyers 1942-1953, New Vanguard 57, Oxford: Osprey Publishing

Yeide, Harry (2007), The Tank Killers: A History of America's World War II Tank Destroyer Force, Drexel Hill: Casemate Publishing

American M36 90mm Gun Motor Carriage tank destroyer at the crossing of Avenue Foch (at that time "Hermann-Göring-Straße") and Rue François de Curel, in Metz, France. Company ‘C,’ 607th Tank Destroyer Battalion. November 21, 1944. The building in the back has a sign saying "Kreissparkasse" (regional savings bank). US Army Signal Corps photo.

US M36 Gun Motor Carriage during the battle of the Bulge.

Comparison of a German PzKpfw V Panther medium tank and a US M36 GMC on the left and an M18 GMC on the right.

M36 tank destroyer near St. Vith, Belgium, 23 January 1945.

M36 Jackson tank destroyer from Battery C of the 702nd Tank Destroyer Battalion, 2nd Armored Div. is on a dug-in ramp to be used as indirect artillery that provides plenty of elevation to hurl shells at long range enemy targets across the Roer River, on 16 December 1944. US Army Signal Corps photo SC 197925.

M36 from the 7th Armored Div. watching as surrendering troops cross field with white flag.

Overturned M36 of the 702nd TD Bn on an icy road. Two crew members were killed in the incident.

Overturned M36 of the 702nd TD Battalion now being uprighted.

US M36 passing German KIA with rifle and panzerfaust anti-tank weapon in the foreground.

Soldiers of the 26th Infantry playing cards behind an M36 Tank Destroyer. They're waiting for road block removal en route to Eisfeld, Germany on April 12, 1945.

German civilians move out to provide billets for crew of M36 Jackson "Pork Chop", 2nd Cavalry, U.S. Third Army on the outskirts of Oberwesel, Germany, Mar 18, 1945. Note that the Browning .50 cal. machine gun has been remounted to the front of the turret.

M36 on display along the road at Aberdeen Proving Ground, circa 1970s.

Soldiers of the 301st Inf. Reg., 94th Div. U.S. Third Army, duck as enemy shells whistle over Schillingen, Germany. The M36 Jackson is waiting for orders to roll toward Fell, Germany. March 15, 1945.

In the front line town of Rimling, France a M36 Jackson tank destroyer stands in the protection of walls of bombed out building as an out-post awaiting action. March 1945.

M36 tank destroyers in use as indirect fire artillery during battle of the Bulge.

American M36 GMCs and M4 tanks moving into Houffalize, Belgium.

M36 dug in.

After an M36 slid off the road in the Ardennes, another M36 positions itself to assist its recovery.

American crews training on M36 Jackson tank destroyers.


Dudelange, Luxembourg. Painted white to blend with the snow-covered terrain, an M36 tank destroyer crosses a field on 3 January 1945. US Army Signal Corps Photo SC 198612	.

M36 Jackson during Battle of the Bulge.

607th Tank Destroyer Battalion crossing the Saale River in Saalfeld, Germany, April 14, 1945. US Army Signal Corps photo 325121.

American soldiers cross the Rhine near Oppenheim with an M36 over a ponton bridge erected on March 24, 1945. US Army photo.

American soldiers from a tank destroyer unit stopped at a crossroads near the statue of the Virgin, on the road from Domfront, Normandy towards the front. A heavily camouflaged M36 and a jeep form a roadblock. US National Archives photo.

Comparison: M10 on left is equipped with 3 inch gun, while the more modern M36 is armed with a 90mm piece. Both in use with a TD Bn. somewhere in Germany. 24 October 1944. US Army Signal Corps photo SC 195742.

M36 tank destroyers from the 810th Tank Destroyer Battalion conducting armor-piercing shell tests in France on 24 October 1944. Since the dates for this and the previous photo are identical, it is likely that the previous photo is of vehicles of the 810th TD Bn. as well, despite this one stating they are in France and the previous one stating "somewhere in Germany". US Army Signal Corps photo SC 195751 (also note that the SC numbers for both photos are very close to each other).

Another photo of an M36 GMC of the 810th TD Bn., also on 24 October 1944. Official caption: "Pvt. Louis Kocherka, of Newark, New Jersey, loads a 90mm shell in a new high-powered T.D., recently acquired by a Third Army tank destroyer battalion." US Army Signal Corps photo SC 195752.

T71 (M36) Gun Motor Carriage first pilot, circa September 1943. US Army Ordnance Department photo 18934.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The long turret bustle is obvious from the side, and the semicircular cross-section of the gun shield can easily be seen. The .50cal machine gun barrel is secured in its travel lock, while stowage mounts for the machine gun are attached to the turret bustle rear. This early vehicle retains a gun rest on the rear hull deck and bosses for auxiliary armor on the hull sides. Photo from ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. Canvas covers have been installed over the machine gun and open turret top. A radio antenna mount is present in the hull side just to the rear of the forward auxiliary armor bosses. Photo from ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The internal layout can be seen in this cross-section. Illustration from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The travel lock is shown here stowed on the left and in use on the right. After the travel lock was unlatched from the hull, it was swung up and secured to the retaining rod by the locking pin chained to the retaining rod, and the gun could then be lowered into the lock. To disengage the travel lock, the release plunger rod was pulled down, and the gun could then be elevated to clear the lock, which was finally swung down and latched to the hull rear. Photo from TM 9-374 C1 90-mm Guns M3 and M3A1 for Combat Vehicles.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. In addition, the gun could be locked for elevation by a traveling lock inside the turret that engaged a hook on the gun mount. The lock is shown engaged on the left, and on the right the lock is stowed and secured by a spring-loaded pin. Photo from TM 9-374 C1 90-mm Guns M3 and M3A1 for Combat Vehicles.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The various filler caps are labeled in this image. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The 90mm gun M3 and mount M4 are seen from the right rear. The mount M4 weighed 1,640lb (743.9kg) without the gun, while the gun's tube and breech mechanism weighed 2,260lb (1,030kg). Normal recoil length for the hydrospring recoil mechanism was 11¾" (29.85cm), with a maximum of 14" (36cm). Photo from TM 9-2300 Artillery Matériel and Associated Equipment.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The interior of the turret is shown here. A folding frame for a canvas foul weather cover is stowed above the gun shield on the left, and is erected on the right. A fire extinguisher is mounted on the turret front wall next to the canteens. The loader sat to the left of the gun, while the other two turret crew were positioned to its right. The legend for the right image is: A. Platform, ass'y. B. Support, ass'y. C. Strap. D. Pump, ass'y. E. Motor, ass'y. F. Mechanism, ass'y. G. Lock, ass'y. H. Indicator, ass'y. J. Seat, ass'y. K. Seat, ass'y. L. Floor, ass'y. M. Support, ass'y. N. Seat, ass'y. Photo from ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. A closer view of the gunner's position is shown in this image. Photo from TM 9-374 90-mm Gun M3 Mounted in Combat Vehicles.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The panoramic telescope M12 has been mounted in the telescope mount M69 to the gunner's right front. Photo from TM 9-374 C1 90-mm Guns M3 and M3A1 for Combat Vehicles.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. A closeup of the power traverse control handle reveals the firing trigger on its front. The traverse shift lever was moved towards the center of the turret for power operation, or pushed towards the turret wall for manual operation. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The elevation handwheel was on the right side of the gun mount. The box to the front of the handwheel was for the traversing and firing switches that energized the traversing motor and firing circuits. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The drivers' compartment appeared sparse on the assistant driver's side, since he lacked both driving controls and the machine gun found in tank hulls. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The engine compartment is seen here from above. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. A view into the open rear engine access doors is provided in this image. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The assembly of an engine exhaust pipe and the exhaust deflector can be gleaned from this image. A. Nut. B. Gasket. C. Packing. D. Pipe. E. Deflector. F. Nut. G. Washer. H. Bolt. J. Bolt. K. Nut. L. Pipe. M. Screw. Photo from ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The clutch was a double-plate type similar to the standard automotive variety. The two driven plates had friction facing riveted to each side, and the release fork and release levers were mounted on needle roller bearings. Photo from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The differential and final drive gears have been assembled in this image. Photo from ORD 8-9 SNL G-210 Field and Base Maintenance Spare Parts and Equipment and List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm Gun, M36.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. The four fuel tanks were in the engine compartment sponsons. The rear two tanks each held 39.5gal (150L), the front right tank held 58gal (220L), and the front left tank held 55gal (210L). Illustration from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36. Wiring diagrams for the hull and turret are sketched on the left and right, respectively. Two generators were in the engine compartment, each rated at 30 volts and 50 amperes, with a combined capacity of 1,500 watts. Two 12-volt batteries were connected in series on the left side of the hull. The starting, lighting, turret traverse, turret dome light, and gun firing circuits operated on 24 volts, while the radio and interphone used 12 volts. A slip ring assembly permitted current to be provided to the turret while allowing turret traverse. Note the arrow on top of the slip ring, which the crew could use to determine where the turret was pointed. Illustration from TM 9-758 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage T71.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The hull of this vehicle is that of the late-production M4A3 with stowage rearranged to accommodate 90mm ammunition; hence, the bow machine gun is present. Photo from ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The turret has been traversed to the rear, and the 90mm gun is secured in its travel lock. On the medium tank, the radio was mounted in the turret bulge, but the M36B1 necessarily retained the M36's radio position adjacent to the assistant driver. An antenna mast was routed to the exterior above the right fender. Photo from ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The travel lock was relocated from the hull rear plate to the hull roof. Track blocks are stowed above the rear fenders, and a folding blanket rack for the crew is attached to the rear hull plate. Photo from ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The open-topped turret is showcased from this angle. The length of the turret bustle is better illustrated, and the .50cal machine gun is stowed on the rear of the bustle. A spare .50cal barrel is on top of the turret bustle. Photo from ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. Another view of the turret controls is provided here. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The telescope M76F is seen at the top with its reticle sketched below. It was a 3x instrument with a field of view of 21°30'. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The panoramic telescope M12 was a 4x device with a 10° field of view used to aim the gun in azimuth for indirect fire. The horizontal line of the reticle was graduated in 5-mil intervals up to 100 mils left and right of center. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The hull hull floor was made up of the lids of 90mm ammunition boxes. Besides the 11 90mm rounds stowed in the turret bustle, a further 36 were stowed in the hull. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. To release the travel lock, the spring release was pulled down and the gun was then elevated. Once free, the travel lock was latched to the rear deck. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. A Sherril AEG-1 compass was mounted above the driver's instrument panel. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The .50cal machine gun was stowed on the turret rear as shown. Photo from TM 9-748 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B1. The spatial relationship of the fuel tanks is illustrated in these images; the right-side fuel tanks are on the left, and all four fuel tanks are viewed from the front on the right. The key for the left image is: A. Bolt. B. Strap, assembly. C. Unit, assembly. D. Standpipe, assembly. E. Plate, assembly. F. Strap, assembly. G. Spacer. H. Nut. I. Tank, assembly. J. Screw. K. Washer. L. Tank, assembly. M. Spacer. N. Plug. O. Filter, assembly. P. Nipple. Q. Valve. R. Screw. S. Joint. T. Washer. U. Screw. V. Handle, assembly. W. Spring.

The key for the right image is: A. Tank, assembly. B. Cap. C. Bolt. D. Nut. E. Handle, assembly. F. Rod. G. Clevis. H. Overload, assembly. I. Valve. J. Nipple. K. Filter, assembly. L. Tank, assembly. M. Strap, assembly. N. Bolt. O. Screw. P. Tank, assembly. Q. Tank, assembly. R. Strap, assembly. Photos from ORD 9 SNL G-233 List of All Service Parts for Carriage, Motor, 90-mm. Gun, M36B1.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. From this angle, it would be very difficult to differentiate this M36B2 from an M36. This vehicle is fitted with the folding turret roof armor which provided overhead protection while still allowing all-around vision. This vehicle has a muzzle brake, and the .50cal MG is stowed on the turret rear. In addition, it has been modified with the spaced-out suspension that allowed extended end connectors to also be mounted on the inner track run. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The turret is still reversed, and the image on the right allows us to positively identify the diesel engine deck with its characteristic smaller air inlet grilles and filler cap configuration. The legend is as follows: A. Spare machine gun barrels. B. Machine gun pedestal. C. Lifting eyes. D. Driver's door. E. Towing cable. F. Fenders. G. Assistant driver's door. H. Antenna. J. Machine gun. K. Turret doors' latch. L. Turret top. M. Lifting eyes. N. Pick mattock. P. Pick mattock handle. Q. Crow bar. R. Track adjusting wrench. S. Shovel. T. Ax. U. Exterior fire extinguisher pull handles. V. Sledge. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. This is a closer view of the engine deck. A. Gun traveling lock. B. Lifting hooks. C. Left taillight. D. Engine compartment doors. E. Engine compartment left cover plate. F. Left water expansion tank filler cover. G. Left fuel tank filler cap cover. H. Fire extinguisher exterior pull handles. J. Left (LC) engine lubricating oil tank filler cap cover. K. Right (LA) engine lubricating oil tank filler cap cover. L. Auxiliary generator fuel tank filler cap cover. M. Right water expansion tank filler cap cover. N. Right fuel tank filler cap cover. P. Engine compartment right cover plate. Q. Engine compartment rear cover plate. R. Right taillight. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The underside of the hull is illustrated here. A. Transmission drain plug. B. Differential drain plugs. C. Hull drain valves. D. Crankcase drain cover plates. E. Lubricating oil tank drain cover plates. F. Water drain plugs. G. Engine compartment floor plates. H. Lower fuel tank drain cover plates. J. Escape hatch. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. A two-part exhaust deflector was installed. It was hinged at the top so that it could be swung up and attached to the hull rear to enable access to be gained to the mufflers and supports. A. Hinge. B. Hinge pin. C. Anchor rod boss lowered position. D. Anchor rod. E. Anchor rod locking pin. F. Muffler and support. G. Cotter pin. H. Anchor rod pin. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The flywheel end of the twinned engines are shown in this picture. As seen here, the generators previously found on each engine were eventually deleted. A. Oil filler tube. B. Fuel return hose. C. Engine lifting bracket. D. Cylinder head vent. E. Junction plate. F. Water outlet manifold. G. Rocker arm cover breather elbow. H. Rocker arm cover. I. Engine fuel filter. J. Air intake housing. K. Blower. L. Oil cooler. M. Water drain valve. N. Oil strainer. O. Fuel pump. P. Starter. Q. Oil pan. R. Flywheel housing inspection hole cover. S. Starter oil cover plug. T. Rear support bracket. U. Clutch housing. V. Transfer gear housing filter plug. W. Transfer gear housing drain plug. X. Engine driven gear shaft. Y. Engine drive shaft cover. Z. Engine ground strap. AA. Transfer gear housing. AB. Tachometer drive adapters. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. Instead of each engine having a generator, a single 24-volt, 50-ampere generator was mounted on a bracket on the rear of the transmission and driven via a belt by the propeller shaft. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. Both dry and wet sump power units were installed, and a dry sump is illustrated here. Each engine in the dry sump unit had an independent pressure-type lubrication system. The oil supply was contained in separate oil supply tanks mounted in the engine compartment next to the lower fuel tanks.

A. Auxiliary water tank. B. Flywheel housing breather hose. C. Air heater pump intake tube. D. Air heater coil box. E. Primary fuel filter. F. Lubricating oil filter. G. Secondary fuel filter. H. Air cleaners. I. Fire extinguisher nozzle. J. Fan shroud. K. Radiator. L. Support plate. M. Radiator inlet tubes. N. Upper junction plates. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. In the wet sump unit, the oil supply was carried in the crankcase similarly to conventional automobile engines, and was pumped from there to various moving parts. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. Fuel supply units for a dry sump power unit are shown here. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. A schematic of the transfer gear unit is provided here. Each engine flywheel drove a dry disk clutch, the driven plates of which were splined to drive shafts that carried helical gears driving the center driven gear on the engine drive shaft. The drive gears had 85 teeth and the driven gear 62, yielding the 1.37x speed increase of the driveshaft compared to the engines' speed.

A. Flywheel housing. B. Flywheel. C. Large oil slinger. D. Clutch spring. E. Release bearing cover. F. Small oil slinger. G. Pilot bearing baffle. H. Engine drive shaft. I. Crankshaft. J. Driven disk hub. K. Release bearing sleeve guide. L. Clutch spring hub. M. Release bearing sleeve. N. Clutch release yoke. O. Clutch driven disk. P. Clutch pressure plate. Q. Clutch cover plate. R. Release shaft. S. Engine drive gear. T. Engine driven shaft. U. Driven shaft flange. V. Engine driven gear. W. Transfer gear housing. X. Clutch housing. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The driver's position is labeled in this picture. A. Parking brake lever. B. Clutch pedal. C. Instrument panel. D. Driver's periscope. E. Clutch lock-out buttons. F. Release buttons. G. Steering levers. H. Air heater pump shut-off valve. J. Left (LC) engine air heater pump. K. Right (LA) engine air heater pump. L. Horn switch. M. Throttle lock lever. N. Throttle. P. Gearshift lever button. Q. Gearshift lever. R. Accelerator pedal. S. Driver's seat. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The clutch lockout controls were peculiar to vehicles powered by the twin GM diesels. The lockouts held either or both engine clutches in the disengaged position so one or both engines could be started or used independently or disconnected from the propeller shaft without the driver keeping the clutch pedal pressed. The throttle lever was used to provide sufficient fuel to start and idle the engines, to control the engine speed when the vehicle was stationary, and when moved to the "NO-FUEL" position to stop fuel flow and therefore stop the engines. The throttle lock lever locked the throttle lever in whatever position it occupied. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The assistant driver's station is highlighted in this image. A. Hull radio terminal box. B. Assistant driver's periscope. C. Cal. .30 rifle stowage strap. D. Radio set. E. Periscope spare heads stowage box. F. Assistant driver's seat. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The armored turret top consisted of a front section with hinged turret top doors and vision doors, and a rear shield. The vision doors were equipped with an angular adjustment to balance the need for vision and protection. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

90mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2. The rear shield mounted the latches for the turret top doors on the front section. Photo from TM 9-745 90-mm Gun Motor Carriage M36B2.

Illustration from Field Manual FM 18-18, Crew Drill, Gun Motor Carriage, M36.

A 90mm M36 during tests at Aberdeen Proving Ground.

Vehicles of the US tank destroyer branch, L to R: M3 GMC halftrack, M10 GMC, M18 GMC, M36 GMC.

An M36 turret on the production line in Michigan in 1944. Note the rounded shape of the turret, compared to the flat-sided turret of the M10.

M36 GMC.

American soldiers of Patton’s Third Army standing in front of their M36 TD while rolling up a Nazi flag they have taken as a trophy after the capture of Bitberg.

M36 TD with the 776th TD Battalion, near Hottviller, France, next to a Maginot Line pillbox in 1944.

Factory-fresh M36B2, waiting to be issued to the troops.

M36 in action during the Battle of the Bulge.

A line of brand new M36 TDs in a depot somewhere in France in 1944.

This M36B1 just took a shot at something, note all the smoke coming from the open turret, and how the commander appears to be looking at something. The photo was taken in Oberbrauch, Germany in 1945 and the TD is with the 654th TD Battalion.

M36B1 outside the Fisher plant in 1944.

An M36B1 in 1945, location and unit unknown. There were few M36B1s built, only 187 units, but they still saw combat.

Knocked out M36B1 in 1945.

M36B1 GMC.

Experimental GMC T72 vehicle, March 1943.

The turret was smaller than on the GMC M10.

The overall concept of the turret was similar to the one on the Medium Tank T23. This is not surprising, since the same people were responsible for both designs.