The 703rd TD Battalion was activated in December 1943 and landed in France on July 1, 1944. They experienced their first combat on July 13, 1944 and participated in “Operation Cobra”; the breakout from Normandy. They reached the Siegfried Line by September 1944 and the 1st Battalion re-equipped from the M10 to the M36 Jackson on September 30th. Mid December the 703rd was sent to the Ardennes and temporarily assigned to the 1st Infantry Division that was fighting along Elsenborn Ridge; the northern blocking shoulder of the “Battle of the Bulge”. During their time in Europe the 703rd TD were also assigned to the 82nd Airborne and the 3rd AD (Armoured Division).
Specifications :
3 Variants:
M36, Jackson
M36B1, Jackson
M36B2, Jackson
Manufacturers:
M36: Fisher Tank Arsenal, Ford Motor Co., Massey Harris Co., American Locomotive Co., Montreal Locomotive Works
M36B1 and M36B2: American Locomotive Co., Montreal Locomotive Works
Role and Chassis Used:
M36 - Tank Destroyer (based on M10A1 GMC)
M36B1 - Tank Destroyer (based on M4A3(75)W Sherman)
M36B2 - Tank Destroyer (based on M10 GMC)
Production:
M36 – 1,413 (April 1944 – July 1945)
M36B1 - 187 (October 1944 – December 1944)
M36B2 - 724 (April 1945 – May 1945)
Crew - All 3 variants: 5
Commander - Turret - Rear-right corner
Gunner -
Turret - Front-right corner
Loader - Turret - Rear-left corner
Driver - Hull - Front-right corner
Assistant driver - Hull - Front-left corner
Weights:
M36 - Combat 63,930 lbs (29,000 kg)
M36B1 - Combat 68,340 lbs (31,000 kg)
M36B2 - Combat 64,150 lbs (29,100 kg)
Dimensions:
M36 - Length without guns 19.59 ft (5.97 m))
M36B1 - Length without gun & with sand shields 20.67 ft (6.30 m)
M36B2 - Length without guns 19.59 ft (5.97 m)
M36 - Gun overhang 4.89 ft (1.49 m)
M36B1 - Gun overhang without muzzle brake 3.84 ft (1.17 m)
M36B2 - Gun overhang 4.89 ft (1.49 m)
M36 - Length with gun 24.48 ft (7.46 m)
M36B1 - Length with gun 24.51 ft (7.47 m)
M36B2 - Length with gun 24.48 ft (7.46 m)
M36 - Width 10.01 ft (3.05m)
M36B1 - Width with sand shields 8.76 ft (2.67 m)
M36B2 - Width 10.01 ft (3.05m)
All 3 variants: Height to top of AA Machine-Gun 3.28 m
Armament: (All 3 variants) 90 mm Main Gun M3, M4 mount in turret with 47 rounds (11 ready)
.50cal (12.7 mm) M2HB Machine-Gun, Mount: Flexible in turret AA mount with 1,000 rounds
M36B1 also has 1 - .30cal (7.62 mm) M1919A4 Machine-Gun
Ball mount on the front upper armor plate with 1,000 rounds
All 3 variants also carry 5 - .30cal Carbines M1 with 450 rounds
12 - grenades
4 - smoke pots
Powerplant:
M36 and M36B1
1 - Ford GAA, V8 cyl., 18.0L of displacement, 450-500 hp @ 2,600 rpm
Fuel - Gasoline (727 L)
Transmission - Synchromesh, 5 forward speeds & 1 reverse speed
M36B2
2 - General Motors 6046, 12 cyl. (6/engine), 2 cycles, twin in-line, 13.9 L of displacement, 375-410 hp @ 2,100-2,900 rpm
Fuel - Diesel (625L)
Transmission - Synchromesh, 5 forward speeds & 1 reverse speed
Performance:
M36 and M36B1
Maximum Speed on road – 26 mph (42 km/h)
Range on road – 154.7 miles (249 km)
M36B2
Maximum Speed on road – 24.9 mph – 29.8 mph (40-48 km/h)
Range on road – 200 miles (322 km)