Rubicon American M2A3 75mm Field Gun with Crew
The 75mm Field Gun M1897 on M2 Carriage was a field gun and anti-tank gun which was used by the US Army during the interwar period and World War II. Originally of French design, the Canon de 75 modèle 1897 was supplied to the United States in large numbers and became the standard field gun for the US Army during World War I. In US service the mle 1897 was given the designation 75mm Gun M1897.
In 1932, a modified gun known as the M2 was standardized for limited production. It took advantage of new projectiles and developments in high explosives. Existing box trail 75mm gun carriages were given sprung axles, steel wheels, and pneumatic tires to allow them to be towed behind vehicles at higher speeds. On January 18, 1934, the conversion kit for existing guns was standardized, and modernized guns were given the designations “75mm Field Gun M1897A1” through “75mm Field Gun M1897A4”. Modernization of 75mm guns also involved placing M1897 guns on new M2A1 carriages. Production of the M2A2 carriage began in 1936, but the conversion process was slow.
After the defeat of France by Nazi Germany in the spring of 1940, The Army became worried about its lack of modern antitank guns. In July 1940, a simplified and improved carriage with retractable crescent-shaped jacks known as the M2A3 was introduced, and it was decided to mount M1897 guns on both M2A2 and M2A3 carriages and equip them with direct-fire sights so they could be used as anti-tank guns. These guns were issued to both field artillery and anti-tank units.