T19 in the movies
T19 in the movies
This page is dedicated to either movies or actual footage containing T19's. The movie that always springs to mind is 'Kelly's Heroes', however there must be war-time footage of these vehicles somewhere. If you have any information please contact me. Thanks.
Kelly's Heroes was released in 1970 and is a tongue-in-cheek tale of GIs who decide to get something out of the war beside a box of K rations a day and all the bullets they can duck. It has always been a bit of a puzzle as to why the film makers decided to build a T19. No T19's saw service in the ETO (European Theatre of Operations). Period. So why have one? It does play a prominent roll in several scenes, perhaps they got confused with the similar-if-you-squint-hard-enough 75mm Gun Motor Carriage Tank Destroyer? Perhaps, but we will probably never know. Anyway, for the geek in you here is where they went wrong: They used an International built M5 or M9 borrowed from the Yugoslavian army, which is recognisable by the shape of the front fenders and rear rounded corners. The US did not deploy the International in combat as most went to lend-lease contracts with British and Russian forces. It should have been based upon either a White/Autocar/Diamond T halftrack (all T19's were built by Diamond T but the halftracks from these three manufacturers all look the same). No T19's were built with front winches, they were all roller equipped (for crossing ditches). Finally, as far as I know, no T19's had the later style of de-mountable headlights - they had the earlier truck style. End of geek bit!
Here are some thumb-nails which contain the T19 from the movie. Click on a image to enlarge and use your browser to come back.
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Now that you have enjoyed these samples perhaps you would like to view the whole movie? Kelly's Heroes is available on DVD now. DVD shown includes original movie trailer. Highly recommended!