Twin M1 57MM Antitank Guns - Birmingham, AL
N 33° 34.323 W 086° 43.303
16S E 525827 N 3714742
Twin 57MM Antitank Guns located at the B W Howell American Legion Post #171 on First Ave North in the Eastlake area of Birmingham, AL. Parking is available on the street or in the adjacent lot.
Waymark Code: WMA2D0
Location: Alabama, United States
Date Posted: 11/05/2010
Views: 5
The 57mm Gun M1 on Carriage M1 was towed anti-tank artillery, based on the British "6 pounder" anti-tank gun. In Feb 1941, U.S. Army Ordnance started a program to adapt the British 6 pounder antitank gun to U.S. production, in order to supply the British under the Lend Lease program. The U.S. version was designated 57mm Gun M1 on Carriage M1. Production began in February 1942. The breech blocks of these guns are stamped M1. I did not see data plates on the carriages.
The M1 57mm antitank gun replaced the M3 37mm Antitank Gun in the European Theater, starting in Tunisia. Due to a lack of production planning, only antitank rounds were produced until near the end of the war, limiting the gun's usefullness without HE rounds. Although intended to replace the underpowered 37mm M3 antitank gun, the 57mm gun was still too light to be uniformly effective against German armor. It was better, with a muzzle velocity of 2700 feet/sec, the ability to penetrate 2 inches of armor plate at 100 yards, and a higher rate of fire, but it was still a stopgap until more effective Panzer killers were produced.
What type of artillery is this?: Antitank
Where is this artillery located?: Veterans Building
What military of the world used this device?: USA
Artillery is no longer operational: no
Still may work: no
Are there any geocaches at this location?:
GC23E6V
Date artillery was in use: Not listed
Date artillery was placed on display: Not listed
Parking location to view this Waymark: Not Listed
Cost?: Not Listed
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