Accession Number:

AD1045347

Title:

The 76-MM Gun M1A1 and M1A2: An Analysis of U.S. Anti-Tank Capabilities During World War II

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report,01 Jan 1939,31 Dec 1945

Corporate Author:

ARDEC, METC, RDAR-MEM-M Picatinny Arsenal United States

Personal Author(s):

• Cosme,Jose
• Ranu,Jeff
• Spickert-Fulton,Shawn

Report Date:

2018-01-01

Pagination or Media Count:

58.0

Abstract:

This report provides an analysis of the U.S. anti-tank technology during World War II. A ballistic analysis is used to corroborate the battlefield history and gain an understanding of the physical and technological factors that spurred the development of the M1 series 76-mm Gun and family of ammunition. The technical manual TM 9-1907 was published 23 September 1944, but it was missing performance data for the 76-mm hyper-velocity, armor-piercing HVAP shell and any information for performance of the U.S. anti-tank capabilities against the German Panther tank. Battle history indicates there was a technological capability gap against upgraded Panzer armor. This report attempts to use hand calculations and modeling and simulation PRODAS to fill in the information that is missing in TM 9-1907. The analysis offers the reader a greater engineering comprehension of the challenges faced between June 1944 and May 1945 and the circumstances necessitating the rapid fielding of the 76-mm HVAP shell after German capability upgrades were encountered in the European Theater of Operations from Normandy to the Battle of the Bulge June to December 1944.

Descriptors:

• ballistics
• ARMOR PIERCING AMMUNITION
• TRACER AMMUNITION
• small arms
• small arms ammunition
• TANKS (COMBAT VEHICLES)
• SECOND WORLD WAR
• military history
• combat operations
• battlefields
• performance(engineering)
• military capabilities
• THEATER LEVEL OPERATIONS

Subject Categories:

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE