Today in WW II: 16 Sep 1940 Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 signed by Pres. Roosevelt, beginning the military draft of US men aged 21-36.  More ↓
16 Sep 1941 German encirclement of Soviet forces in Kiev completed, to be followed by ruthless German attacks to annihilate the trapped Red Army troops.
16 Sep 1943 Malaya Zemlya enclave of Novorossiysk port on the Black Sea, after holding out against Wehrmacht for 225 days, liberated by the Red Army.
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M-21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier

The M-21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier was an upgrade to the M-4 Mortar Carrier Halftrack that replaced the M2 Halftrack with the M3 Halftrack as the base vehicle. The main innovation was to have the mortar face forward making it even easier to move to a new position and fire immediately.

Production of the M21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier by White Motor Company started in January 1944 with a total of 110 vehicles produced before production was halted in March 1944.

T19 prototype of the M21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier, an upgrade and replacement for the M4 and M4A1 Halftrack Mortar Carrier
T19 prototype of the M21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier, an upgrade and replacement for the M4 and M4A1 Halftrack Mortar Carrier..

Overhead view of the M21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier with the front facing mortar and its ammunition
Overhead view of the M21 Halftrack Mortar Carrier with the front facing mortar and its ammunition.