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.

M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer

The M44 was standardized in 1953, after protyping as the T99E in 1952 and then the T194. The M44 was used by US and allied forces until replaced in 1962 by the M-109 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer.

The 31 ton M44 was powered by a Continental A05-895-3 500hp gasoline engine. It could travel at 35 mph on the road and 11 mph cross country. In addition to its 155mm gun it was armed with a .50 cal. machine gun.

M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer
M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer.

M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
M-44 155mm Self-propelled Howitzer at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.