US 37mm anti tank gun

[John Watson]

I only found this out in the last week or so, whilst reading and watching about the Guadalcanal campaign. The US 37mm anti tank gun was a dual purpose gun. It doubled as an infantry support weapon as it was designed to us grapeshot. It was very effective in helping to stop the Japanese counter attacks on Guadalcanal. It was described as a 37mm shotgun! I don't know of any other anti tank gun that did this. Perhaps the US gun needs its' HE rating increased from 1.
John

[Smiley Miley 66]

It was the same with the Lee tanks !
The British Lee's account mention this about the Americans 37mm gun.
You can repoint the Lee or the gun with HE 2 to use in your games, as long as you tell your opponent ?
It will add a few points to the gun, as HE 1 takes off some points from your final points value.
I think when I calculated the Burma "LEE" tanks I did account for the slightly better HE factor ?
In Burma the British received more Lees than Grants ? I think.
Probably as the tanks were more than likely shipped direct from USA ?
Miles

[martin goddard]

Adds to the group knowledge. Thanks John

martin

[John Watson]

Quite right Miles. Most of the Lee/Grant tanks in Burma came direct from the US rather than via the UK, so they had the American 37mm. I hadn't considered this aspect. I would question whether or not the tanks would bother to carry the anti personnel ammunition rather than the usual armour piercing and high explosive rounds. However, as you say, if you pay the points, then you could field the improved? guns.
John

[Smiley Miley 66]

The book on the British Burma armour does point out that the US 37mm on the Lee and even the Stuarts did use the "graphshot" ammunition! Maybe to deter the antitank bombers running out of the jungle with their magnetic mines on sticks ?
Better than trying to get an Mg round ?
I think as the 37mm was of little use to them against there usual targets ? Remember the 75mm was used as anti bunker/strongpoints weapon and the 37mm probably didn't have the punch ?
Miles