On December 15, 1941 the 105th Antitank Battalion was re-designated the 805th Tank Destroyer Battalion. After a brief stay in England they landed at Algiers on January 17, 1943 and were equipped with the M3 GMC TDs. One of the battles they were involved in was the Kasserine Pass where they suffered heavy losses. Before shipping out to Italy the 805th re-equipped to be towed 3-inch gun battalion landing at Bagnoli, Italy on October 28, 1943. On March 12, 1944 the unit shipped out to Anzio and was used mostly as artillery even when they re-equipped to the M18 between June and August 1944. The TDs were part of the vanguard that captured Bologna and the Brenner Pass.
Specifications :
Classification: 76mm Gun Motor Carriage (T70)
Produced By: General Motors, Buick Division
Production Period: July 1943 to October 1944
Number of Units Produced: 2,507
Crew: 5
Performance:
Engine: R975 Continental Radial, 973 cu. in. 9 Cylinder air-cooled, 400 HP @ 2,400 RPM
Transmission: 4 speed Torqmatic
Maximum Speed: 50 mph
Ground clearance: 14 in.
Maximum Fording Depth: 48 in.
Maximum Grade: 60 degrees @ 3 mph
Dimensions:
Length: 21 ft. 10 in.
Width: 9 ft. 5 in.
Height: 8 ft. 5 in. Maximum Weight: 37,557 lbs.
Armament:
1 x 76 mm M1A2 main gun, 76 rounds
1 x .50 cal M2HB Machine Gun, 800 rounds
5 x MI .30 cal carbines, 450 rounds
6 x WP M50 smoke grenades
6 x Mk.II fragmentation grenades
4 x smoke pots