Author -
Steven J Zaloga
Illustrator -
Tony Bryan
The M8 light armoured car was the only significant wheeled combat vehicle used by the US Army in World War II. In conjunction with the lightly armed utility version, the M20, it was the staple of the army's cavalry squadrons for use in reconnaissance and scouting. The M8 was originally designed as a tank destroyer, but it was quickly recognized that its small 37mm gun was inadequate for the task. So it was shifted to the reconnaissance role. First entering combat in Italy in 1943, it was widely used throughout the campaign in northwest Europe. Reaction to the type was mixed, with some cavalry units appreciating it as being quieter than the M5A1 light tanks also used by the cavalry. But in general, the poor performance of its wheeled configuration in off-road conditions led to widespread complaints. As a result, it was abandoned after the war by the US Army, and replaced by fully tracked vehicles. Regardless of the US view, the M8 was widely distributed as military aid to dozens of countries in Europe, South America, Africa, and Asia where it enjoyed decades of service. It saw combat in a large number of small wars in the 1950s and 1960s, and some still remain in service to this day.
Contents
- Introduction
- Light Tank Destroyer and M8 Development
- M8 Derivatives
- Into Service
- The M8 Armoured Car Described
- The M8 Armoured Car in Combat
- The M8 in Lend-Lease Service
- Postwar M8 Armoured Car Use
- Bibliography
- Colour Plate Commentary
- Index
