The M10 Gun Motor Carriage known as Wolverine in British service but alternatively as the Slugger to the US troops was a tank destroyer of the Second World War.

Useage

American doctrine planned for tank destroyers to engage enemy tanks while tanks were used principally to support infantry. The M10 used a Sherman tank hull with a special open-topped turret that carried a 3-inch gun. The gun fired AP shells that could go through 4 inches of armour at 1000 yards. The back of the turret carried alarge counterweight which gave it a distinctive shape.

For local defence a heavy 0.5 cal M2 machine gun was mounted on the turret and the crew were equipped with .30 carbines.

Variants

• M10 - diesel engine (~5000)
• M10A1 - petrol engine (~1700)

• Achilles - M10 equipped with a 17 pounder Mk V gun as used on the Sherman Firefly and British tanks. If a diesel engined M10 it became Achilles IC, if petrol M10A1, the Achilles IIC

Notes

The post-war American film star Audie Murphy won his Medal of Honor at the Battle of the Colmar Pocket when he used the heavy machine gun of an abondoned and burning M10 to repel German infantry despite the vehicle taking several more hits from tanks or artillery.

External links

• AFV Database
• OnWar
• WWII Vehicles