The T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage variant of the M3 halftrack was built by Diamond T in 1942. Only 324 were ever built. It was an expedient version mounting a 105mm howitzer in an almost standard M3 : the chassis was strengthened to take the extra loads, the windshield was hinged to fold forwards, a platform was built to take the gun and the fuel tanks were moved to the rear. In use it was found to be overloaded and very cramped, so much so that only eight rounds of ammunition could be carried. The armoured body offered little protection and there was no overhead cover. Despite these drawbacks the T19 allowed the US army to field a howitzer motor carriage in time for the North African campaign. It served as a stop-gap until the M7 Priest was ready. It was never standardized, that is it always retained its T19 designation and was never given a 'M' number. It saw active service in North Africa and Sicily and a few are believed to have soldiered on into Italy.
When the Priest appeared during 1942 there was no longer a need for the T19 and therefore those that had been shipped overseas and not destroyed in combat were eventually converted back to M3's.
There are probably only three surviving examples of the T19, two in the USA and this one, number 256 which, according to the excellent book 'U.S. Half-Tracks their design and development' by David R. Haugh, was built in April of 1942. This doubtless makes the T19 the rarest halftrack in the world. It resided in Arizona for several years and was shipped from the States in 2006 in a container and now resides in the UK. It retains some interesting early halftrack features including the single spring track tensioner and a heater.
Think that you have seen a T19 before? Well, think again! The halftrack in one of my favorite films "Kelly's Heroes" (see right) is a mock-up. It was in fact built just for the film and is based on an International-built halftrack - totally wrong. Not withstanding this I do like the bit where the halftrack knocks the telegraph pole down - wouldn't do that with the real thing!
There is also a 'T19' at the Old Ironsides 1st Armored Division museum at Baumholder, but this too is a replica.
Most restored military vehicles seem to depict the European Theatre of Operations. This is understandable with the many Hollywood movies around. This T19 will be different. It will be painted sand over olive drab and dedicated to those who bravely fought and died in North Africa and Sicily. It is a worthy project. Many still lie there today.
We will never forget.
The T19 in Arizona, it needs total restoration!