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-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.