Today in WW II: 22 May 1939 Fascist Italy and Nazi Germany sign the Pact of Steel, a declaration of trust and cooperation that also included secret provisions on military and economic matters.

T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage (HMC) with 105mm Howitzer

The T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage (HMC) was a mobile tank-destroyer based on the White M3 Halftrack with a mounted 105mm howitzer. The gun and its shield were mounted in the cargo space of the halftrack, positioned to fire forward over the drivers compartment. The windshield area and windshield cover were modified to enable the gun to project to the front.

A total of 324 of the T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage were reported manufactured by Diamond T in 1942. The T19 HMC was used until mid-1945 after which it was considered obsolete. Some of the T19s were converted to M3A1 Halftracks in mid-1945.

Recommended Book About the T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage

M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940-73

T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage HMC with trailer
T19 Howitzer Motor Carriage with trailer.

A line-up of T19 Howitzer Motor Carriages at Hampton Roads, VA during World War II.
A line-up of T19 HMCs of the 9th Field Artillery at Newport News, VA, 20 October 1942 during World War II. These units were part of Task Force A, enroute to North Africa.