Today in WW II: 9 Sep 1939 In large pincer movement east of Warsaw, German forces trap and reduce the remaining Polish forces [9-17 September].  More ↓
9 Sep 1943 With Italian cooperation, Operation SLAPSTICK lands 3600 men of the British 1st Paratroop Division at the port of Taranto in the Italian heel.
9 Sep 1943 Operation AVALANCHE, invasion of Italy at Salerno uses 450 ships to land a total of about nine divisions.
9 Sep 1944 Communist coup and Bulgarian armistice with USSR.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V)

The M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle is based upon the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier, in particular the M-901 Improved TOW Vehicle (ITV). It is used as an artillery forward observation vehicle according to the fire support team concept, a mobile operating base for mechanized infantry and armor fire support teams. The FIST-V has secure voice and digital communication capability.

The M981 has a device mounted to the top of it called "The Hammerhead", which enables the Ground Laser Locater Vehicle Designator (GLLVD), a range-finding device, to be used from the inside of the vehicle to provide protection to personnel while calling in fire. The M981 turret is designed to resemble that of the M901 Improved TOW Vehicle, making the vehicle less conspicuous to enemy gunners.

M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-981 Fire Support Team Vehicle (FIST-V) at 1st Cavalry Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.