Half-Track Goner
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Posts posted by Half-Track Goner
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Always wondered about the OP's first question. Having no prior insight or knowledge on the matter, here's what I found online regarding US pneumatic tires in WWII:
Combat construction was adopted as standard in October 1941 (OCM 17285). They were developed as "run-flat" tires that would allow continued operation for 75 miles (eventually reduced to 40 miles) even after being punctured by bullets or shell fire (OCM 19747). These tires used significantly more rubber (50-60%) in their sidewalls to maintain rigidity, along with beadlocks, a metal band that went inside the tire and pressed the beads outward against the rim, which added to sidewall rigidity. (The beadlocks also prevented slipping on the rim.) Because of the rigid construction and beadlocks normal one-piece wheels where the tire was stretched over and between the flanges could not be used. A two-piece divided rim was concurrently developed that effectively split the wheel in two (much like most model kit wheels) and was assembled from either side of the tire. While it was possible to change a tire without removing the wheel from the vehicle using a divided rim this practice was apparently little used. Divided rims could also be used with standard tires.
The article goes on to note acute rubber shortages in 1944 made use of Combat tires difficult:
Notes on Usage
Given its druthers, the Army would have used Combat tires exclusively on all tactical vehicles and equipment; in fact this was specified in 1941 (OCM 17285). However, the increased cost, greater rubber usage, and reduction in production capacity of Combat tires prevented their uniform employment. Reductions in the application of Combat tires were authorized as the rubber supply situation became acute in the late 1944:
- In June 1943, AA gun carriages were changed to standard construction highway tread tires but retained their divided rims (OCM 20890).
- OCM 25163 from September 1944 authorized the substitution of standard construction tires on the M10 ammunition trailer.
- A number of changes to equipment tire requirements were made in the fall of 1944 by OCM 25531, in the interest of conserving rubber and reducing the types of tires in service. Primarily, it changed the tread type from HW to MS while maintaining the existing construction on the following:
- M4A1 37mm gun carriage
- M3A2 105mm and M3A3 75mm howitzer carriages
- 3 and 3-½ ton cargo and M51 machine gun trailers
- M10 ammunition trailer, M6 3-inch gun, and M2A2 105mm howitzer carriages
- M1A1 90mm AA mount
- M23 ammunition trailer, M1 8-inch howitzer and M1 155mm gun carriages
- M2, M3, and M5 limbers
- M21 ammunition trailer, M1A1 4.5-inch gun and M1A1 155mm howitzer carriages
- M2 90mm AA gun mount, M2 and M3 155mm gun carriages
Additionally, the M1 120mm AA gun mount went from 13.00-24 HW to 14.00-24 MS.
It's a modeling web site, so take it w/ a grain or two, but the article US Army Models notes its sources.
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You're welcome. I've just started another book last night by Will Cavanaugh that you may be interested in also: The Battle East of Elsenborn and the Twin Vilages
J.C. Doherty lists this book as one of his sources. It has some well made maps(much better than Doherty's book) and has some great aerial photos of the different battle areas.
Cheers, Pak. I'll check it out.
I assumed Doherty made some of those maps himself. Kind of endearing, to be honest.
Looking forward to seeing how CMFB treats the twin villages. Quite the brawl.
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For the Northern Shoulder of the bulge, I highly recommend The Shock of War by J.C. Doherty.
I picked up Volume II based in part on your description and found it to be well researched and the many accounts of small-unit combat well-written. Thanks!
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Now my oldest went off to the USAF so the younger one (15) and I decided to restart and watch them again. We're on season 1, disk 2. Male bonding.
Whoah. I had forgotten I did the same thing with my Dad when I was a kid, about 14. Although it was simply a re-run on TV back in the eighties. Strange what brings a lump to the ol' throat. Thanks for sharing.
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Baneman, well-deserved congratulations! You managed the early pressure Bil put on you with aplomb.
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Thank you for the work you put into this DAR, Bil. Your willingness to take on risks and escalate early made it even more exciting for us.
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Beautiful work, Juju. Thank you! Especially for adding CMFI!
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Thanks for keeping the CMMODS site going, GaJ! Donation sent.
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Apoll, I'm new to the series as well. As far as camera controls are concerned, I have found there are a multiple options for fine-tuning your view. If you haven't yet, read through the hot keys and play around with all the options to see what works best for you.
Case in point: I have recently started using the preset camera angles (number keys 1-9) to jump between a high-altitude, top-down and ground-level views, quickly. It certainly helps when I'm giving group orders to large formations, especially on big maps.
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Just wondering, will be any further updates to this AAR? With the release of CMRT imminent, I won't hold my breath, but it is a wonderful write-up (and a great tutorial for newer players, such as myself).
Great job, as always, sir.
AAR Video- Punch Through
in Combat Mission Red Thunder
Posted
Very well done, I've enjoyed you other Cm videos quite a bit.