M44 Self-Propelled Howitzers in Action

M44 Self-Propelled Howitzers in Action — The M44 was an American-made self-propelled 155 mm howitzer, first introduced in the early 1950s. Towards the end of the Korean War the US Army replaced the M41 155mm Howitzer Motor Carriage with the M44 which used the drive train of the recently introduced M-41 light tank, giving it increased battlefield mobility and gave the 155mm cannon crew some armor protection, even when firing the cannon. The 155mm cannon was a version of the M114 designated the M45 Howitzer with a modified recoil system that was more compact and put all the cannon under armor except the top and the barrel. The first production models were issued in 1954. The M44 had a crew of five and was exported to Italy. (Wikipedia)