GM Barnes US Tank Gun Development Memo 1944 10 11 Annotated

7/17/2019 GM Barnes US Tank Gun Development Memo 1944 10 11 Annotated

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ALL COMMUNICATIONS SHOULD BE ACCOMPANIED BY CARBON COPY AND ADDRESSED TO

WAR DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF THE CHIEF OF ORDNANCE WASHINGTON, D. C.

MEMORANDUM FOR Major General L. H. Cam!ell., "r.

S#!je$% H&'%or( o) Tan* G#n'

+Or more re$&'el( An a%%em% %o $o-er m( a'' $on$ern&n $r&%&$&'m' rear/&n %0e me/&o$re er)orman$e o)%an* #n' ro-&/e/ %o %0e Arm( 10&$0 $ame %o a 0ea-( '%ar%&n "#l( 2344. In 10&$0 I ar%&$&a%e/ !e$a'#ea)%er all %an*' 1ere %0ere %o '#or% &n)an%r(, no% )&0% enem( %an*'. F&0%&n enem( %an*' 1a' %0e jo! o) %0e%an* /e'%ro(er #n&%'...5

2. EARLY DE6ELOPMENT Un%&l a!o#% %0e m&//le o) 2347, %an*' 1ere a''&ne/ a' %0e In)an%r( a' %0e

#'&n arm an/ ma%%er' $on$ern&n %0e armor an/ armamen% )or %0e'e -e0&$le' 1ere re)erre/ !( %0e Or/nan$e

Dear%men% %o %0e In)an%r(. O-er a er&o/ o) man( (ear', %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% en/ea-ore/ %o 0a-e %0e

%0&$*ne'' o) armor an/ %0e o1er o) #n' &n %an*' &n$rea'e/. T0e War Dear%men% General S%a)) 0o1e-er, 0a/la$e/ 1e&0% l&m&%a%&on' o) 8 29: %on' on l&0% %an*' an/ 2; %on' on me/&#m %an*' #n%&l "an#ar( 23<= an/ "#l(

23<>, re'e$%&-el(, a% 10&$0 %&me' %0e'e l&m&%a%&on' 1ere 'ome10a% rela?e/.

T0e normal %an* armamen% o) %0a% er&o/ $on'&'%e/ o) $al&!er .;7 an/ $al&!er .<7 ma$0&ne #n'. In 23:>

%0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% 0a/ re$ommen/e/ %0e #'e o) %0e 2.>;@ #n )or %an*', an/ one '#$0 #n 1a' !#&l%

an/ &n'%alle/ &n %0e me/&#m %an* an/ '#$$e'')#ll( %e'%e/ &n 23:3. In 23<>, %0e <8mm #n M; 1a' la$e/ &n %0e

%#rre% o) %0e me/&#m %an*. In 23<8 %0e la%e'% me/&#m %an* ro/#$e/ !( %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% )or %0e

In)an%r( 1a' %0e Me/&#m Tan*, T;, 10&$0 1a' /e'&ne/ &n 23<=<8. T0e %an* 1a' '%an/ar/&e/ &n "#l( 23<= a'

%0e M:. I% 1a' )#r%0er &mro-e/ an/ re/e'&na%e/ M:A2 &n "#ne 2, 23<3. A n#m!er o) %0e'e %an*' 0a/ !een

man#)a$%#re/ &n 23<3. T0e( mo#n%e/ %0e <8mm G#n M; &n %0e %#rre%, )o#r $al&!er .<7 ma$0&ne #n' &n %0e

'on'on', an/ %1o &n %0e )ron% la%e.

+An/ %1o an%&a&r$ra)% #n' one on ea$0 '&/e o) %0e %#rre% a$$e''e/ !( a 0a%$0 one 1&%0 a &n%le &n )ron%,one &n !a$*.5

:. 8;mm GUN In "an#ar( 23<3 %0e 1r&%er re$ommen/e/ %0e #'e o) a 8;mm 1eaon &n %an*' an/ 'e% # a

roje$% %o 0a-e %0e 8;mm Ho1&%er, M2A2, &n'%alle/ &n %0e &lo% Me/&#m Tan*, T; P0a'e III. T0&' 1a' /one,

an/ %0e )&r&n a% A!er/een Pro-&n Gro#n/ &n A##'% 23<3 &n/&$a%e/ %0a% %0e 8;mm Ho1&%er 1a' rea%l(

'#er&or %o %0e <8mm G#n an/ more e))e$%&-e %0an all %0e ma$0&ne #n' $om!&ne/

+T0&' 1a' /one %o ro-&/e a mo!&le ar%&ller( &e$e, no% a $om!a% %an*..5

2

In 23<3 %0e #e'%&on aro'e a' %o 10a% %an* '0o#l/ !e #% &n%o ro/#$%&on &n %0e 1ar emeren$(. I% 1a'

ar#e/ %0a% %0e Me/&#m Tan*, M:A2, 1a' a $omle%e/ ar%&$le 10&$0 0a/ !een %0oro#0l( %e'%e/ an/ 1a'

%0ere)ore %0e %an* )or #an%&%( ro/#$%&on. S%e' alon %0&' l&ne 1ere %a*en, an/ %0e C0r('ler Corora%&on,

10&$0 1a' 'ele$%e/ %o man#)a$%#re %0e %an*', 'en% &%' en&neer' %o Ro$* I'lan/ Ar'enal an/ 1a' )&r'% ro-&/e/

1&%0 a 'e% o) /ra1&n' o) %0e M:A2 %an*.



T0e 1r&%er a/-&'e/ aa&n'% %0e man#)a$%#re o) %0e M:A2 an/ &n'&'%e/ %0a% a ne1 %an* !e /e'&ne/ %o mo#n%

%0e 8;mm G#n. General We''on /e$&/e/ %o o a0ea/ 1&%0 %0&' re$ommen/a%&on an/ %o 0ol/ # ro/#$%&on

#n%&l %0e ne1 /e'&n $o#l/ !e $omle%e/. I% 1a' /e'&re/ %o #% %0e 8;mm G#n &n %0e %#rre%. T0e C0&e) o)

In)an%r( /&'aro-e/ %0&' re$ommen/a%&on !#% erm&%%e/ %0e &n'%alla%&on o) %0e 8;mm G#m &n %0e 'on'on &n

la$e o) %0e ma$0&ne #n'.

+T0e /e$&'&on %o mo#n% a 8;mm #n &n a %an* 1a' ma/e 10en German( 1a' '1ee&n %0ro#0 Fran$e &nMa( 2347. T0e )&r'% /e'&n 1a' !a'e/ on %0e Fren$0 C0ar B2. I) %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% real&e/ %0e nee/

%o mo#n% a 8; &n a %#rre%, %0e( /&/n% /o an(%0&n a!o#% /e'&n&n 'a&/ %#rre% 'ee !elo1.5

T0e )&r'% 8;mm G#n, M:, 1a' ma/e '0or%, a' %0e In)an%r( /&/ no% 1an% %0e %#!e %o e?%en/ !e(on/ %0e )ron%

o) %0e %an*. T0&' !ro#0% a!o#% %0e /e'&n o) %0e 1ell*no1n M< %an*, $alle/ %0e @General Gran%,@ 1&%0 %0e

8;mm G#n, M:, &n %0e 'on'on. T0e M< 1a' %0e )&r'% me/&#m %an* man#)a$%#re/ &n #an%&%( )or %0&' 1ar. T0&'

%an* ro-e/ &%'el) &n E(% a% %0e !a%%le o) EL Alame&n. W&%0o#% %0e 8;mm G#n &n %0e 'on'on, 0o1e-er, %0e

%an* 1o#l/ 0a-e !een #n/er#nne/ an/ 1o#l/ no% 0a-e 0a/ '#))&$&en% )&reo1er %o !e e))e$%&-e on %0e

!a%%le)&el/ a% %0a% %&me.

Al%0o#0 %0e 8;mm G#n /emon'%ra%e/ &%' e))e$%&-ene'' &n'o)ar a' )&reo1er &' $on$erne/, &% 1a' 'oon

/emon'%ra%e/ %0a% %0e 'on'onmo#n%e/ #n 1a' no% nearl( a' e))e$%&-e a' a %#rre%mo#n%e/ #n 1o#l/ !e. A''oon a' %0e M< Tan* 1a' la$e/ &n ro/#$%&on, '%e' 1ere %a*en %o re/e'&n &% !( la$&n %0e 8;mm G#n &n %0e

%#rre%. T0e #n 1a' len%0ene/ an/ %0e m#le -elo$&%( &n$rea'e/ )rom 2,>;7 %o 2,387 )9' +'&$52, ma*&n &% a

more e))e$%&-e 1eaon. T0e #n 1a' la%er '%an/ar/&e/ a' %0e M<. T0e ne1 %an* 1a' /e'&na%e/ a' %0e T=.

+T0e M< 1a' no% #'e/ &n a$%&on !e)ore %0e /e$&'&on %o /e'&n %0e M4 1a' ma/e &% 1a' no% e-en /e'&ne/an/ rea/( )or ro/#$%&on &n'%ea/, Or/nan$e $on-&n$e/ %0e Armore/ Comman/ %0a% %0e( $o#l/ no% !#&l/ a%an* 1&%0 a 8;mm &n a %#rre% &n A##'% 2347 an/ a' '#$0 %0e /e$&'&on 1a' ma/e %o CONTINUE /e-elomen%o) %0e M< #n%&l &% 1a' %0en )&n&'0e/, an/ %0en 1or* on %0e M4. T0e nee/ )or %0e M4 1a' *no1n &n A##'%2347 !#% %0e Or/nan$e #% %0&' o)) 1&%0 %0e&r 1e $an% $a'% a !& %#rre% )or %0e 8; r&0% no1 10&n&n.

T0e -elo$&%( o) %0e loner 8; 1a' :,7<7 )'. 1&%0 AP '0o%.

T0e Armore/ For$e' /eman/e/ a !e%%er #n 1&%0 more -elo$&%( &n Se%em!er 2347 %0e mon%0 a)%er %0eOr/nan$e Dear%men% %ol/ %0em %0e( $o#l/ no% /e'&n %0e M4 a% %0e momen%, no% a% a la%er /a%e. T0e M< 0a/no% !een /e'&ne/ le% alone !#&l% le% alone #'e/ &n a$%&on a% %0a% /a%e.5

T0e &lo% T= Tan* 1a' $omle%e/ a% A!er/een Pro-&n Gro#n/ &n A##'% 2342. General De-er', %0en C0&e)

o) %0e Armore/ For$e a% For% no?, 1&%ne''e/ %e'%' o) %0e &lo% T= %an* a% A!er/een on < Se%em!er 2342 an/

&mme/&a%el( a-e 0&' aro-al. I% 1a' %0ere)ore /e$&/e/ %o '%an/ar/&e %0e T= a' %0e M4 an/ #% &% &n%o

ro/#$%&on on %0e !a'&' %0a% %0e $0ane 1o#l/ !e ma/e &n '#$0 a 1a( %0a% %0ere 1o#l/ !e no lo'' o)

ro/#$%&on. Pro/#$%&on o) %0e M4 Tan* !ean &n Mar$0 234:.

:

<. 27;mm HOWITER I% 1a' lanne/ a% %0e 'ame %&me %o /e'&n %0e M4 Tan* %#rre% 'o %0a% %0e 8;mm

G#n, %0e 27;mm Ho1&%er, or o%0er armamen% $o#l/ !e mo#n%e/ &n%er$0anea!l(. T0e 27;mm Ho1&%er 0a/

re-&o#'l( !een la$e/ &n %0e M< Tan* $0a''&' %o ma*e # %0e 27;mm Ho1&%er Mo%or Carr&ae, M8, $alle/ %0e

@Pr&e'%@ !( %0e Br&%&'0. T0e M8 0a/ !een 'en% %o E(% %o %0e Br&%&'0 &n %&me )or #'e aa&n'% %0e German' a% El

Alame&n an/ &n '#!'e#en% a$%&on'. S&n$e %0e 27;mm Ho1&%er 1a' alrea/( a-a&la!le on %0e M< $0a''&' &n %0e

2 A$%#all( :,787 )' or :,7<7 )'.



)orm o) %0e M8 Ho1&%er Mo%or Carr&ae, %0e mo#n%&n o) %0e 27;mm Ho1&%er &n %0e M4 Tan* 1a' /ela(e/

o1&n %o %0e re''#re o) o%0er roje$%'. T0e roje$% )or mo#n%&n %0e 27;mm Ho1&%er &n %0e %an* %#rre% 1a'

la%er re-&-e/, an/ %0e &lo% 1a' '#$$e'')#ll( roo))&re/ a% A!er/een ro-&n Gro#n/ &n De$em!er 234:. T0e

Ho1&%er 1a' '%an/ar/&e/ a' %0e M4, an/ %0e mo#n% a' %0e $om!&na%&on G#n Mo#n%, M;:. T0e'e #n&%' are

no1 &n ro/#$%&on.

4. 8=mm GUN FOR MEDIUM TAN M4 A)%er %0e Me/&#m Tan* M4, 0a/ !een #% &n%o ro/#$%&on, &% 1a'

)el% 0&0l( /e'&ra!le %o ro-&/e %0&' %an* 1&%0 a more o1er)#l #n 'o %0a% &% $o#l/ !e '%&ll more e))e$%&-e aa&n'%enem( armor. T0e 8;mm G#n, M<, 1&%0 10&$0 %0e M4 Tan* 1a' !e&n e#&e/, 1a' an &/eal #n aa&n'%

er'onnel !e$a#'e o) &%' e?$ellen% 0&0e?lo'&-e '0ell. Ho1e-er, &% 1a' /e'&re/ %o &n'%all a #n 10&$0 1o#l/

al'o 0a-e more e))e$%&-e armor&er$&n #al&%&e'. I% 1a' lanne/ %0a% onl( a!o#% :; er$en% o) %0e M4 %an*' !e

e#&e/ 1&%0 %0&' #n, '&n$e &% 1a' no% $on'&/ere/ ne$e''ar( )or all %an*' %o 0a-e '#$0 0&0o1ere/

1eaon'.

+He an/ no one el'e &n or/nan$e 0a' e-er e?la&ne/ 10( %0e( /&/n% /e'&n a !e%%er HE '0ell )or %0e 8=mm. A 2;.;l!. '0ell 1&%0 a 3J )&ller 1o#l/ 0a-e &-en m#$0 %0e 'ame !la'% a' %0e 8;' 24.; l!. '0ell 1&%0 2.4; l!.)&ller an/ &% 1o#l/ 0a-e 0a/ %0e 'ame !all&'%&$' a' %0e '%an/ar/ AP ro#n/. T0e( /&/n% 'eem $on$erne/ a!o#%&/en%&)(&n an/ )&?&n &''#e' !e)ore &% 1a' %oo la%e %o ma*e m#$0 0ea/1a(.5

T0e /e'&n o) %0e 8=mm G#n, T2, 1a' ma/e &n %0&' o))&$e, an/ Wa%er-l&e% Ar'enal 1a' &-en an or/er on 24

"#l( 234: )or %1o &lo% #n'. T0e'e &lo%' 1ere $omle%e/ an/ '#$$e'')#ll( %e'%e/ a% A!er/een Pro-&n Gro#n/

on 2: A##'% 234:. A)%er %0e'e %e'%', %0e C0&e) o) Or/nan$e re$ommen/e/ !( memoran/#m %o %0e

Comman/&n General, Arm( Ser-&$e For$e', on :2 A##'% 234:, %0a% 2,777 o) %0e'e #n' !e man#)a$%#re/

#&$*l( )or mo#n%&n &n M4 Tan*' )or %0e A)r&$an T0ea%er. T0e #n 0a/ !een 'o /e'&ne/ %0a% %0&' $o#l/ !e

/one 1&%0o#% an( major mo/&)&$a%&on o) %0e %#rre%. T0&' roje$% 1a' aro-e/, an/ an or/er )or 2,777 8=mm

Tan* G#n' 1a' la$e/ &n A##'% 234:. T0e 8=mm G#n &' &n real&%( a <@ G#n 'e$&all( /e'&ne/ )or %an* #'e.

S&n$e &% re#&re/ a -er( 'len/er ro#n/ o) amm#n&%&on 1&%0 a $ar%r&/e $a'e /&))eren% )rom %0a% o) o#r '%an/ar/ <@

G#n, &% 1a' $alle/ 8=mm %o re-en% m&?&n o) amm#n&%&on &n 'er-&$e.

+T0e /e'&n o) %0e 8=mm %oo* le'' %0an a mon%0 an/ '0o1e/ %0a% %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% 1a' no% a'&n$ome%en% a' %0e( 'ome%&me' 'eeme/. G&-en %0an, an/ %0e '#e'%&on %0a% %0e 8=mm 1a' )or %0e%an*er',5

T0e )&r'% ro/#$%&on 8=mm G#n, M2A2, mo#n%e/ &n a &lo% %an* 1a' '#$$e'')#ll( )&re/ a% A!er/een Pro-&n

Gro#n/ on := Se%em!er 234:. In a le%%er /a%e/ 22 No-em!er 234: KF&le ' 48:.2,

<

%0e Armore/ For$e '%a%e/ %0a% %0e M4 %an* mo#n%&n a 8=mm G#n 1a' an #n%r&e/ 1eaon 10&$0 1a' no%

%e'%e/ !( %0e Armore/ For$e an/ re$ommen/e/ %0a% no #an%&%( ro/#$%&on o) %0e 1eaon !e #n/er%a*en #n%&l

&lo% mo/el' 1ere %0oro#0l( %e'%e/ an/ %0e&r '#&%a!&l&%( )or Armore/ For$e #'e /e%erm&ne/. T0e Or/nan$e

Dear%men% 1a' 'e$&)&$all( &n'%r#$%e/ %o ro$#re no more %0an 2: %an*' mo#n%&n a 8=mm G#n. La%er %0e

en%&re roje$% 1a' /roe/.

On 23 Fe!r#ar( 234< %0e Armore/ For$e '%a%e/ a% a mee%&n a%%en/e/ !( rere'en%a%&-e' o) %0e Arm(

Gro#n/ For$e an/ %0e C0&e) o) Or/nan$e an/ 0&' '%a)), &n De%ro&%, %0a% %0e man#)a$%#re o) :2= Me/&#m Tan*',

M4, mo#n%&n %0e 8=mm #n 1o#l/ !e re#e'%e/.

T0e le%%er )&le re#e'%&n %0e man#)a$%#re 1a' &n/or'e/ %o Hea/#ar%er', Ser-&$e' o) S#l(, on 2 Mar$0



234< )or more &n)orma%&on. Hea/#ar%er' Arm( Gro#n/ For$e', aro-e/ %0e /&-er'&on o) 28 me/&#m %an*' %o

mo#n% %0e 8=mm #n %o e#& one Me/&#m Tan* Coman( onl(. On :2 A##'% 234< Hea/#ar%er' Armore/

Comman/, re$ommen/e/, %0e ro$#remen% o) 2,777 me/&#m %an*' e#&e/ 1&%0 %0e 8=mm G#n. T0e )&r'%

ro/#$%&on %an*' mo#n%&n %0e 8=mm G#n ma/e a' a $on'e#en$e o) %0&' re$ommen/a%&on, 1ere $omle%e/

&n "an#ar( 2344.

+De'&%e %0e'e /ela(' an/ %0e amo#n% o) %&me &% o))ere/, %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% #% no e))or% &n%o Ka )&%%&na m#le !ra*e, K! /e-&'&n a 0&0 e?lo'&-e ro#n/, an/ K$ /e-&'&n a 'mo*e ro#n/ )or %0e 8=mm. T0#',

10en %0e 8= 1a' o))ere/ %0e %an*er' 0a/ %o a$$e% re/#$e/ e))e$%&-ene'' &n %0e&r ma&n role K)&r&n a% nonarmore/ %are%' )or a mo/era%e &n$rea'e &n ene%ra%&on.5

;. <@ an/ 37mm TAN GUN W0en /e-elomen% o) %0e =7 %on Hea-( Tan*, M=, 1a' !e#n &n Ma( 2347,

%0e 1r&%er $0o'e %0e <@ 0&0 -elo$&%( #n a' &%' r&n$&al 1eaon. A% %0a% %&me %0&' 1a' %0e mo'% o1er)#l #n

10&$0 0a/ !een mo#n%e/ &n a %an* !( an( $o#n%r(. T0e )&r'% Hea-( Tan*, M=, #'&n %0e <@ G#n, T2: Kla%er M8,

1a' $omle%e/, /emon'%ra%e/, an/ a$$e%e/ on > De$em!er 2342.

In %0e real&a%&on %0a% '%&ll 0ea-&er #n' 1o#l/ !e re#&re/ on %0e !a%%le)&el/ a' %&me a''e/, /e'&n 1a'

#n/er%a*en &n Se%em!er 234: o) a 37mm 0&0o1ere/ #n 10&$0 1o#l/ 0a-e %0e !all&'%&$' o) o#r 37mm an%&

a&r$ra)% #m !#% %0e 'ame o#%'&/e /&ame%er a' %0e <@ %an* #n, M8, 'o %0a% &% $o#l/ !e #'e/ &n %0e Hea-( Tan*,M=. F#r%0ermore, !a'e/ on %0e 1or* /one !( %0e Hea-( Tan*, M=, '%e' 1ere %a*en &n Fe!r#ar( 234: %o la$e

%0e <@ #n )rom %0e 0ea-( %an* &n an oen %#rre% on %0e M4 $0a''&' a' a 'el)roelle/ #n mo#n%. T0&' /e'&n

1a' $omle%e/ an/ '%an/ar/&e/ a' %0e <@ G#n Mo%or Carr&ae, M27, on 4 "#ne 234:.

T0e <@ G#n Mo%or Carr&ae, M27, 1a' la$e/ #n/er 0ea-( ro/#$%&on, an/ &% 1a' lanne/ %0a% e-en%#all(

%0e 37mm %an* #n, T8, 1o#l/ !e /e-eloe/ r&mar&l( )or %0e Hea-( Tan*, M=, an/

4

$o#l/ al'o !e #%&l&e/ &n %0e G#n Mo%or Carr&ae, M27, 1&%0o#% e?%en'&-e re/e'&n&n. T0e /e'&n o) %0e 37mm

%an* #n, T8, 1a' $omle%e/ &n De$em!er 234:, I% 1a' mo#n%e/ &n %0e <@ G#n Mo%or Carr&ae a% A!er/een

an/ /emon'%ra%e/ %o %0e Se$re%ar( o) War an/ o))&$er' o) %0e War Dear%men% an/ Arm( Gro#n/ For$e' on 27

Fe!r#ar( 234<. A)%er %0e'e /emon'%ra%&on', a%%em%' 1ere ma/e %o &n%ere'% %0e Arm( Gro#n/ For$e' &n %0e

37mm #n, !#% %0e'e a%%em%' )a&le/. On ; O$%o!er 234<, a le%%er 1a' re$e&-e/ )rom %0e Arm( Ser-&$e For$e'

'%a%&n %0a% o#r re$ommen/a%&on )or %0e &mme/&a%e man#)a$%#re o) ;77 37mm #n mo%or $arr&ae' !a'e/ on

%0e M27 $0a''&' 1a' /&'aro-e/.

A' %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men% )el% &% a!'ol#%el( e''en%&al %0a% a #n more o1er)#l %0an %0e <@ %an* #n !e

a-a&la!le on %0e !a%%le)&el/ %o oo'e %0e German >>, %0&' ma%%er 1a' re''e/ 1&%0 %0e Arm( Gro#n/ For$e'.

Uon a re$ommen/a%&on %0a% a% lea'% 2,777 o) %0e'e #n&%' !e man#)a$%#re/, an or/er 1a' re$e&-e/ )rom %0e

War Dear%men% %o ro$ee/, 1&%0 %0e man#)a$%#re o) ;77 #n&%' *no1n a' %0e 37mm G#n Mo%or Carr&ae, T82.

T0e #n 1a' %0ere)ore '%an/ar/&e/ a' %0e M< &n Se%em!er 234<. Be$a#'e o) %0e la$* o) &n%ere'% '0o1n !(

%0e U'&n Arm', %0e 37mm G#n Mo%or Carr&ae, M<=, 1a' no% '%an/ar/&e/ #n%&l "#ne 2344.

+No%e 0o1 %0e M<= &' a ne1 %#rre% mo#n%e/ on %0e M27 0#ll 10&$0 &' an M4 %an* $0a''&'. T0e Or/nan$eDear%men% Ke'e$&all( Barne' /&/ no% 1an% %0e ro#n/ )or$e' %o 0a-e a 37mm arme/ M4 an/ $la&me/ &%$o#l/ no% !e /one9'0o#l/ no% !e /one. A% %0e en/ o) %0e 1ar, M<= %#rre%' 1ere )&% /&re$%l( %o %0e M4 0#ll %oro-&/e more M<=' )or %0e %an* /e'%ro(er )or$e'. I% !ean %o !e aaren% %0a% Barne' an/ 'ome o%0er '%a))er'!el&e-e/ &n %0e 0&lo'o0( %0a% An%&%an* #n' K%0e %an* /e'%ro(er' )o#0% %an*' %an*' '#or%e/ &n)an%r(.T0#', %0e( $r&le/ %0e 8=mm %o ma*e &% #nala%a!le a %o*en o))er&n o) &mro-e/ )&reo1er 10&le rea/&l()&%%&n %0e 37mm o#% )or %0e Tan* De'%ro(er #n&%'.5



I% 0a/ !een lanne/ al'o %o mo#n% %0&' #n &n %0e T:7 'er&e' o) %an*', %0e /e'&n an/ /e-elomen% o) 10&$0

1ere '%ar%e/ &n Ma(, 234<. T0e Armore/ Gro#n/ For$e', 0o1e-er, )el% %0a% %0e 8=mm #n 0a/ '#))&$&en% o1er,

an/ %0e( 1ere no% &n%ere'%e/ &n %0e 37mm. Perm&''&on 1a' o!%a&ne/, 0o1e-er, %o mo#n% %0e 37mm G#n, M<, &n

47 me/&#m Tan*', T:;, an/ 27 Hea-( Tan*', T:=, e?er&men%all(.

Uon $omle%&on o) %0e'e #n&%', l&%%le &n%ere'% &n %0em 1a' '0o1n !( %0e Gro#n/ For$e'. Con'e#en%l( a

/emon'%ra%&on 1a' $on/#$%e/ a% A!er/een )or %0e Se$re%ar( o) War, %0e C0&e) o) S%a)), an/ o))&$er' o) %0e

General S%a)) an/ Arm( Gro#n/ For$e'. T0e rea%l( &n$rea'e/ e))e$%&-ene'' o) %0e 37mm #n o-er %0e 8;mm

an/ 8=mm #n' 1a' $on$#rren%l( /emon'%ra%e/. A' a re'#l% o) %0e'e /emon'%ra%&on', /e$&'&on 1a' er'onall(ma/e !( General Mar'0all %o la$e %0e Hea-( Tan*, T:=, &n ro/#$%&on 1&%0 %0e 37mm #n. A% %0e re'en%

%&me, or/er' 0a-e !een &''#e/ )or %0e #an%&%( ro/#$%&on o) %0e'e 1eaon' an/ !o%0 F&'0er an/ C0r('ler

Corora%&on are %ool&n. Pro/#$%&on 1&ll !e '%ar%e/ !( F&'0er &n O$%o!er 2344.

=. 27;mm GUN B( Se%em!er 234<, %0e -er( o1er)#l 27;mm G#n, T4, 0a/ !een /e'&ne/ an/ a &lo%

man#)a$%#re/ )or an%&a&r$ra)% #'e. S&n$e %0&' #n $an )&re a 4:l!. armor&er$&n roje$%&le a% :,>77 )9', ;.;

&n$0e' o) armor a% <7 &n$l&na%&on $an !e ene%ra%e/ a% a rane o) :,777 (ar/'. T0e'e !all&'%&$' 1ere

$on'&/ere/ -er( '#&%a!le )or an an%&%an* or 'el)roelle/ 1eaon. To a/a% a 1eaon o) %0&' o1er %o

;

%an* mo#n%&n, %0e T;E2 #n 1a' ro-&'&onall( la&/ o#% &n la%e 234< an/ %0e '#er %an* /e'&n %o $arr( %0&' #n

1a' '%ar%e/ &n Se%em!er 234<, !#% Arm( Gro#n/ For$e' 1o#l/ no% aro-e man#)a$%#re al%0o#0 &% 1a'

aro-e/ !( %0e Comman/&n General, Arm( Ser-&$e For$e'. T0e roje$% '#e'%e/ %0e man#)a$%#re o) :;

%an*', no1 *no1n a' %0e T:>, &n or/er %o 0a-e %0em a-a&la!le '0o#l/ %0e( !e re#&re/ )or #'e aa&n'% 0ea-(

)or%&)&$a%&on' 10&$0 n&0% !e en$o#n%ere/ &n Fran$e an/ German(. F&nall(, on <= Ar&l 2344, a)%er lon /ela( on

%0e ar% o) %0e Arm( Gro#n/ For$e', aro-al 1a' &-en )or %0e man#)a$%#re o) )&-e T:> %an*' %o 1e&0 >7 %on'

1&%0 a )ron%al armor on %0e !a'&' o) 27. T0e'e %an*' are no1 #n/er man#)a$%#re.

8. 37mm TAN GUN SUPER 6ELOCITY 28 Mar$0 2344, %0e /e'&n o) %0e '#er-elo$&%( 37mm G#n,

T2;, 1a' #n/er%a*en. T0&' #n 1a' /e'&ne/ %o #'e a '%an/ar/ 37mm roje$%&le &n a ne1 $a'e. T0e ne1 $ae

0a' %0e 'ame e?%er&or /&ame%er a' %0e /&'$ar/e/ $a'e, !#% %0e len%0 0a' !een &n$rea'e/ %o ro-&/e a rea%er

o1/er $aa$&%(.

T0&' #n 1a' /e'&ne/ %o &-e a -elo$&%( o) <,:77 )9' 1&%0 '&nle!a'e o1/er. T0e /e'&n 1a' al'o '#$0

%0a% &% $o#l/ !e #'e/ &n%er$0anea!l( 1&%0 %0e '%an/ar/ 37mm %an* #n, M<, e?$e% o) $o#r'e, )or !all&'%&$'.

T0e #n &' -er( Lon K87 $al&!er' an/ 1o#l/ re#&re %0e #'e o) a ne1 e#&l&!ra%or an/ '%roner ar%' &n %0e

mo#n%. Ho1e-er, %0&' #n $an !e mo#n%e/ &n %0e T:=E2 Tan*.

T0e &lo% #n 1a' /el&-ere/ %o A!er/een on 2 Se%em!er 2344 an/ &' no1 !e&n #'e/ %o /e-elo o1/er.

I) %0e 1ar $on%&n#e', 'e-eral 0#n/re/ o) %0e'e #n' 1&ll !e man#)a$%#re/ )or mo#n%&n &n %0e T:=E2 Tan*' &n

or/er %o ro-&/e a #n o) rea%er )&reo1er.

>. LATEST DE6ELOPMENTS T0e T:=E2 %a'* &' %0e Or/nan$e Dear%men%' 234; mo/el %an*. In or/er %o

0a-e a '%&ll la%er mo/el %an* a-a&la!le '0o#l/ %0e 1ar $on%&n#e &n%o 234=, /e'&n o) %1o ne1 %an*', %0e T:3 an/

%0e T<7, 1a' '%ar%e/ &n Se%em!er 2344. I% &' lanne/ %o mo#n% %0e 27;mm 0&0 o1ere/ %an* #n re)erre/ %o

a!o-e &n %0e T:3 Tan*. T0&' #n 1&ll al'o !e !ore/ e?er&men%all( a' a 37mm 1eaon %o &-e a m#le -elo$&%(

o) <,;77 )9' 1&%0 a :4L!. roje$%&le. T0e roo) %e'%' 1&ll &n/&$a%e 10e%0er %0e 37mm $al&!er or 27;mm $al&!er

1o#l/ !e more /e'&ra!le.

T0e T<7 Tan* $on%emla%e' %0e #'e o) a ne1l( /e'&ne/ 2;;mm G#n Ho1&%er. T0e #n/er'&ne/ '%ar%e/

%0e /e'&n o) %0&' #n &n O$%o!er 2344. T0&' #n 1&ll )&re a 3;l!. armor&er$&n roje$%&le %o



=

ene%ra%e = &n$0e' o) armor a% <7 &n$l&na%&on a% a rane o) :,777 (ar/'. I% 1o#l/ al'o !e a o1er)#l )&el/ #n,

)&r&n %0e 3;l!. 0&0e?lo'&-e '0ell. T0e a!&l&%( o) %0&' 2;; mm G#n Ho1&%er %o )&re armor&er$&n amm#n&%&on

an/ 0&0e?lo'&-e amm#n&%&on &n%er$0anea!l( 1o#l/ ma*e &% an e))e$%&-e 1eaon.

G. M. BARNESMajor General, Or/nan$e Dear%men%

C0&e), Re'ear$0 De-elomen% Ser-&$e

REFERENCES

l. F&r'% Par%&al Reor% on Te'% o) 2.>;@ Tan* G#n, T2 :4 "an 23<7

:. OCM I%em 243=8

<. F&r'% Reor% on In'%alla%&on an/ Te'% o) 8;mm Ho1&%er &n Me/&#m Tan*, T; P0a'e III = Ma( 2347

4. F&r'% Reor% an A''em!l( o) Me/&#m Tan*, T= 3 De$ 2342,

;. F&r'% Reor% on Me/&#m Tan* M4, 27;mm Ho1&%er

In'%alla%&on 28 "#ne 234<

=. OCM I%em 2>;7<

8. F&r'% Reor% on Te'% o) 8=mm G#n, 22. :4 A# 234

>. OCM I%em 2>>=;

3.F&nal Reor% on 8=mm G#n &n Me/&#m Tan*, M4 <7 Se 234:

8

GM Barnes US Tank Gun Development Memo 1944 10 11 Annotated

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