Armour in Canada: M3 and M14 Halftrack Armoured Personnel Carrier

(Author Photo

M3A1 and M14Halftrack Armoured Personnel Carrier

The Carrier, Personnel Halftrack M3 was an armoured vehicle used by Canadians and other Allies during the Second World War and in Korea.  The M3 had a single access door in the rear and seating for a 13-man rifle squad.  This vehicle was armed with a .50-calibre M2 Browning machine gun.  The body is armoured all around, with an adjustable armoured shutter for the engine’s radiator and a bulletproof windscreen.  The vehicle lacked overhead protection from airbursting artillery shells and it was vulnerable to machinegun fire.  More than 41,000 were produced.  White M3 Halftrack (Serial No. CZ 4036146), was donated to the NBMHM by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3607690)

Canadian Army T30 Howitzer Motor Carriage halftracks equipped with a 75-mm M1897A4 howitzer, aka "French 75" in Italy ca 1944.

While engaged in the fighting at Anzio, Italy in April 1944, the First Special Service Force (FSSF) acquired a Gun Company from an American Ranger  unit, "Darby's Rangers".  This unit was equipped with four T30 Howitzer Motor Carriage halftracks equipped with a 75-mm M1897A4 howitzer, aka "French 75".

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 4233293)

White M3 Halftrack, Canadian Army, France, 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3226332)

M3 Halftracks, 8th Canadian Brigade advancing in the first stage of the attack on Caen, Normandy, 18 July 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3209197)

M3 Halftracks and scout cars moving up to support infantry crossing the River Orne, France, 18 July 1944.

(Library and Archives Canada Photo, MIKAN No. 3614555)

An M14 Halftrack marked marked for HQ Squadron, 1st Hussars of 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade.  The H&C book suggests that it had only two halftracks, one for the Medical Officer and one for the Signals officer. The fighting squadrons each had an ambulance and workshop halftrack. Note that the Canadian soldier climbing up has his left hand bandaged, Bretteville, France, c1944.

White M3 Halftrack (Serial No. CZ 4036146), donated by the Royal New Brunswick Regiment.  Museum vehicle park.

(Author Photo)

White M3 (s) Command Halftrack (CL4237226), at Sarcee, Calgary, ca. 1977.

(Anthony Sewards Photos)

Same White M3 (s) Command Halftrack (CL4237226), South Alberta Light Horse (B Sqn), CFB Edmonton, Alberta.  “Old Reliable” landed in Normandy with the SALH, survived the war and was brought home.  It was used by the unit until the 1960s and restored to running condition in 2003.

(Author Photo)

M3 Half-track, (Serial No. CZ4289153), with .50 cal HMG mounted, Museum Hangar.  

(Author Photo)

M3 Half-track, Canadian War Museum.

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