With the advent of the industrial revolution in the 1800s, the foot soldier no longer carried just a pike, lance, spear, bow, sword or rifle. The rapid development of more complex mechanical weapons systems necessitated the use of small carts to move materiel right up to the front lines. World War I saw a tremendous increase in the need and use of small carts in all types of applications. Foot soldiers responsible for the newer and larger small arms such as machine guns and mortars needed a mode of transportation that addressed their needs in the field. (See Small Arms Review Vol. 3, No. 10, July 2000 for a discussion of the Model 1917 Machine Gun and Ammunition Carts used in World War I.)

The lessons learned in World War I brought about a series of rapid developments in the inter-war years to meet the demands of a rapidly changing military culture. Among the many items that were further refined were the small hand carts. No longer designed with the horse or mule as the primary means of power the new carts had to be able to withstand the demands of towing by motored vehicles over longer distances and at faster speeds and be more robust in their construction. Of course, provisions still had to be made to accommodate the last line of power: the foot soldier.

Shortly after World War I in the mid 1920s, the Mount, Wheeled, Machine Gun, M1 was developed for the dual purpose which combined the idea of a T base (trail assembly) for the M1917 tripod with that of a two wheeled light weight cart for transportation of the Browning M1917 water cooled machine gun, accessories and ammunition in the set up and ready to fire configuration. The idea being that the set up gun could be quickly brought to use and fired from the cart if need be or the soldier could quickly dismount the gun and tripod and set up in a position without having to assemble the components. A third option was to leave the gun as set up and remove the wheels and simply drop the entire T-frame with the mounted gun on the ground. This method was viewed as especially valuable in sand or soft earth conditions that without it the tripod feet would bore into the ground and the gun become unstable. The M1, the first post World War I hand cart, was a simple T-shaped affair with solid rubber coated wheel rims and a simple bracket to hold extra ammunition boxes.

Quickly on the heels of the development of the Cart, M1 were the Cart, M2 and Cart M2A1. These carts were basically updated versions of the old wooden M1917 Ammunition Carts in that they were still designed to be drawn primarily by horse or mule but were constructed of metal rather than wood. The Cart, M2 was issued for transporting .30 caliber machine gun ammunition, 37-mm gun ammunition, light mortar ammunition and communication equipment. The Cart, M2A1 is the identical cart as the M2 except that it has front and rear brackets specifically for transporting the 81-mm Mortar and Bipod Mount M1.

Next in the litany of hand carts developed in the 1930s were the Carts, Hand, M3 and M3A4 (utility), M4 and M4A1 (.30 caliber machine gun), M5 and M5A1 (.50 caliber machine gun) and the M6 and M6A1 (81-mm mortar). They consist of two types and are of four purposes. The first (earlier) large wheeled type have 4” x 18” motorcycle wheels on a straight axle and are identified by the designations M3, M4, M5 and M6. These carts were classified as limited standard during World War II. The second or small wheel type have 4” x 12” cast aluminum wheels on an offset axle and are identified by the model designation M3A4, M4A1, M5A1 and M6A1. These carts were classified as standard during World War II.

The carts are drawn by man power but are equipped with a lunette for limbering to a Jeep or other small vehicle. When drawn by man power a drawbar is secured to the lunette with the hand cart drawbar retaining pin. When not in use the drawbar is carried on the drawbar bracket which is riveted to the front body. Provision is made for attaching tow ropes with D-handles to the cart body when additional man power is required to pull the load. The carts are also designed so that two loaded carts can be transported on trucks when placed between the seats provided for personnel.

The M3 and M3A4 utility hand carts are comprised of the chassis and body. The chassis of the M3A4 small wheeled cart is composed of an offset axle, tongue and drawbar assembly. The axle is an aluminum-alloy tube and assembled on each end are aluminum-alloy axle brackets that are riveted to the axle. Steel spindles, to which the wheels are mounted on anti-friction bearings, are assembled in the axle brackets and secured by nuts and cotter pins. The axle brackets are fastened to the side and bottom of the cart body by bolts. The tongue is an aluminum-alloy tube reinforced by a liner made of the same material. The spade lunette is riveted to one end and the tongue and axle bracket which fastens the tongue to the axle to the other end. The tongue is secured to the front of the body by a clamp. The body, which is the same for both the large wheeled M3 and small wheeled M3A4 carts, is a rectangular shaped open box which is bolted to the chassis. The M3 body is constructed of aluminum channels and rails reinforced with angles and gusset plates held together by rivets. The M3A4 body is made of steel and does not require the reinforcing angles and gusset plates. Holes are drilled in the body of both the M3 and M3A4 to bolt the brackets which are required to convert this cart for its other uses.

The M4 and the M4A1 .30 caliber machine gun hand carts are converted from the M3 and M3A4 carts respectively by the addition of three brackets to which the legs of the M1917A1 tripod mount are attached. The Browning .30 caliber M1917A1 water cooled machine gun, which is used on this mount, can then be used as an anti-aircraft gun or the gun and mount can be quickly removed to be used as a ground gun. Leather straps are also provided to hold spare ammunition boxes and accessories.

The M5 and M5A1 .50 caliber machine gun hand carts are also converted from M3 and M3A4 carts respectively by the addition of brackets to receive the Browning .50 caliber M2HB, flexible and the M3 tripod mount during transit. Unlike the .30 caliber set up, the .50 caliber is transported in a disassembled state though the brackets are equipped with quick release clasps to facilitate speedy unlocking. A leather strap is provided to secure the ammunition boxes.

The M6 and M6A1 81-mm mortar hand carts are also converted from M3 and M3A4 carts respectively by the addition of brackets and supports to secure the 81-mm mortar M1, and 81-mm mortar mount M1 during transit. Quick release clamps and leather straps are also provided.

Though there are a number of “M” designations for the cart, the basic M3A4 Utility Hand Cart fulfilled a vital need in the war effort by easily being converted to a number of uses merely by the selection of clamps and brackets.

The carts were manufactured in the tens of thousands (some estimates go as high as 70,000) by Rock Island Arsenal, John Wood Manufacturing, Trussbilt Incorporated and Omaha Industries. Yet, only about a hundred or so are accounted for today in conditions ranging from rusted out basket cases to restorable examples. The carts did not have a priority for return after the war and were left wherever they were to pretty much rot away. They were used extensively by the Army and Airborne units in Europe and by the Marines in the Pacific. (As an interesting side note, in the movie “The Longest Day”, John Wayne, playing Col. Benjamin Vandervoort of the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, breaks his ankle when jumping into France on D-Day and is hauled around on a M6A1 mortar configured cart.)

By Robert Hausman

One of the oldest military museums in the area, the War Memorial Museum of Virginia was founded on Armistice Day in 1923 by members of the American Legion’s Braxton-Perkins Post 25 of Newport News, Virginia. The Legionnaires’ intent was to preserve the memory of those who had served and sacrificed in “The Great War” (World War One). The Legion is still actively involved as evidenced by the museum’s charter which requires that at least two members of the board of directors also be members of Post 25.

Overview

Located near the scenic James River, the museum was chartered by the Commonwealth of Virginia in 1936 as the official state repository for war related artifacts. It is administered by the city of Newport News. The War Memorial Museum of Virginia Foundation, inc. is an independent organization also lending support.

The first displayed artifacts were primarily souvenirs from World War One. Today, the collection comprises over 60,000 items and a reference library of over 20,000 volumes within its over 25,000-square-feet of exhibition space. Not all of the artifacts are displayed at any one time.

The museum’s mission is to study, preserve and exhibit the role of warfare in American history from 1775 to the present. The glorification of war is not intended. The intent is to place into context the revolutionary aspects of war through social, political, economic, technological and historical perspectives.

Much of the display area is divided into specific themes, such as “The Black Soldier” and “Women at War,” which tell the stories of some of America’s lesser-known war effort contributors. The “America and War” exhibit shows what life was like at home while the war was going on. Yet another display tells the story of World War Two through the Axis powers’ viewpoint. “Hampton Roads: Point of Embarkation” focuses on the relationship of the local region (a major port area) with the military. The museum’s 125-seat classroom/theater presents such shows as “Hollywood at War” featuring commercial films with a war theme.

During the first week of August, the museum usually hosts a Vietnam veterans meeting which includes the display of a replica Vietnamese village. The week before Christmas is often given to Civil War commemoration where military re-enactors dressed in blue and grey re-enact Civil War battles.

Artillery Exhibits

Among the exhibits seen at the time of the author’s visit, was an M42 twin 40mm SPAAG self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. Developed in the early 1950’s under the designation T141, the M42 shares many of its components with the M41 light tank as produced by the Cadillac division of General Motors Corp. By the time production was completed in June 1956, over 3,700 M42’s had been built.

The M42’s power-operated turret traverses 360 degrees and the 40mm guns elevate from minus 3 degrees to plus 85 degrees. The rate of fire is 120 rounds per barrel per minute with maximum anti-aircraft range of 5,000 meters, and 9,475 meters in the ground fire mode. Powered by a Continental or Lycoming AOS-895-3, 6-cylinder air-cooled supercharged petrol engine, its maximum road speed is 72.4 km/hr and effective range 161 km. The only variant is the M42A1 with fuel injection which yields greater fuel efficiency. The U.S. Army replaced the M42 with the M163 230mm Vulcan self-propelled anti-aircraft gun system.

Another exhibit takes the form of a Russian manufactured SP-72 self-propelled 122mm artillery piece. Used by the Iraqis and captured by American forces during Operation Desert Storm, it came to the museum by way of the Quantico, Virginia military installation. Many experts believe one reason why the Iraqis were so quickly defeated was their reliance on non-standardized equipment. Iraqis used whatever military equipment they could get from sources all over the world. The logistics of maintaining this material requiring a wide variety of parts and firearms in miscellaneous calibers, many believed, worked to defeat them.

The Iraqi tank was thought to be inoperable at first. Upon arrival at the museum, a forklift was used to nudge the tank to move it into its intended exhibit space when its engine suddenly started up and the tank (which was in gear) suddenly lunged forward. Luckily the man steering it overcame his surprise and managed to stop it.

A well-preserved U.S. 10-ton Holt Caterpillar artillery tractor of World War One can also be seen. As the trench warfare on the Western Front progressed, horse teams became increasingly unable to move the ever-more-heavy artillery pieces through the mud. This tractor filled the bill very well. Thus use of tractors also heralded the debut of the half-track design to the battlefield.

A nice-looking Stuart Light Tank M5A1 is set on a shiny tiled floor inside the building. Designed and standardized in September 1942, it replaced the Light Tank M5. Larger and better sealed access hatches, as well as the addition of an escape hatch, an improved mount for the 37mm gun, and better vision devices were among the upgrades. Powered by twin Cadillac 121hp engines, it weighs 33,907 lbs. and could move its crew of four at speeds up to 40 mph.

Also on exhibit is an American-built Renault Six-Ton Tank M1917. To equip the newly formed Tank Corps in 1917, American production was begun based on this French design. Due to differences between the European (metric) and American measurement systems, a virtual redesign was necessary. Initial orders were placed for 1,200 vehicles and these were later increased to 4,400 units.

Working under the supervision of the U.S. Ordnance Department, the M1917’s building contractors were C.L. Best Tractor Co., Van Dorn Iron Works and Maxwell Motor Co. A total of 64 vehicles were completed by 11 November 1918, only 10 of which arrived in France before the end of the war. U.S. light tank units in France were equipped with about 514 Renault tanks built by the French. A total of 950 of the American version of the tanks were built when production ceased. They continued in service as the standard U.S. light tank until 1931.

Unconventional Exhibit

A rather unconventional exhibit was located within the men’s restroom. Entitled, “Obeying the Call of Duty,” the evolution of military field disposal technology was presented from the year 1865 onward through vintage photographs and drawings. Illustrations of various latrines, a Quartermaster Corps excreta incinerator and the use of oiled burlap to fly-proof latrines are shown and explained. Also displayed were World War Two-era “Sad Sack” cartoons with latrine humor as the subject matter.

Yet another exhibit focuses on the integration of the sexes within the armed forces during the 1940’s, from a sanitation point-of-view. W.A.C. latrines were required to be inside or attached to the barracks for safety and privacy. The group toilets which serviced men were also supposed to be partitioned. No training center except Fort Des Moines had conformed to standards. Since it was believed the women would occupy the camps for a short time, they were relegated to the outside latrines with uncurtained toilets and men’s plumbing fixtures. By the 1970’s however, these discrepancies had been corrected to provide for appropriate facilities for both sexes. (This author did not visit the museum’s women’s restroom to see what might have been exhibited there.)

To Visit

Situated in midtown Newport News, the museum is centrally located between Williamsburg and Virginia Beach. The address is 9285 Warwick Boulevard, Huntington Park, Newport News, Virginia 23607. From I-64 take the Mercury Boulevard/James River Bridge exit south and follow U.S. 258 to its intersection with U.S. 60. The museum is just three blocks west, next to the YMCA. For more information call (757) 247-8523.