Today in WW II: 9 Jul 1940 Battle of Calabria [Battle of Punta Stilo, the toe of Italy] fought between the Italian Royal Navy and the British/Australian Royal Navies, 30 miles [48km] east of Punta Stilo.  More ↓
9 Jul 1943 US-British invasion of Sicily begins [night of 9-10 Jul].
9 Jul 1944 British and Canadian forces capture Caen from the Germans, a critical post-D-Day objective in Normandy, France.
9 Jul 1944 US forces reach the northern end of Saipan, finding thousands of Japanese civilian men, women, and children who commit suicide by leaping off the cliffs rather than be captured.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

M39 Series Missile Launcher Trucks, 5 Ton, 6x6

The M39 series of 5 ton, 6x6 trucks included two models adapted to launch the U.S. Army Honest John missile system. These trucks are part of the G-744 (or M-39) series of 5 ton 6x6 trucks. Details of the history, model numbers, and configurations of the M39-series of trucks are on the linked page.

M289 Honest John Missile Launcher Truck, 5 Ton, 6x6

The M139C and M139D Truck, Chassis was extensively modified to provide a lower axle ratio, reinforced front axle housing, and other changes to enable the chassis to support the missile and the stress of launch. The M139 version was chosen with modified front cross members and brackets for jack stands. A long launch rail with an A-frame brace held the Honest John.

M-289 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place
M-289 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place.

M386 Honest John Missile Launcher Truck, 5 Ton, 6x6

The M139F Truck, Chassis was modified to produce the M386 Honest John Missile Launcher Truck, 5 Ton, 6x6 in a similar manner to the M289. The launch rail of the M386 was shorter than the M289 and did not require the A-frame brace.

M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place.
M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place.

M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place, Hawaii, 8 August 1961
M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place, Hawaii, 8 August 1961.

M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place.
M-386 Truck, Chassis, 6x6, Honest John missile launcher with missile in place.