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The U.S. military had requested a light close-support vehicle so a standard M5 with the turret
removed was tested. A new open-top turret was installed, the Driver and Co-driver were
moved forward to accommodate a larger turret and with limited space in the vehicle the
chassis was modified to tow an armored ammunition trailer. The M8 was the first American
fully tracked Self Propelled Howitzer with 1,778 vehicles being produced between September
1942 and January 1944. The M8 was gradually replaced by the M4 Sherman with 105mm
Howitzers.
“Edith” was an M8 that belonged to the First Regiment of Moroccan Spahis. Spahis is a
derivative of an Ottoman (sipahi) and Middle Persian (Spah) word meaning "army", or
"horsemen". Eventually the unit became the reconnaissance regiment for the French 2nd
Armored Division. “Edith” had a very tragic ending on September 11, 1944 near the town of
Andelot-Blancheville when it was struck by a Panzerfaust grenade that punched a hole in the
left side of the hull. “Edith” can be seen in Andelot-Blancheville as a monument to the brave
men that fought and died there.
Specifications for the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage
Manufacturer – General Motors, Cadillac Motor Car Division
Length of Production – September 1942 – January 1944
Number produced – 1,778
Crew – 4 x Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-driver
Performance
Powerplant – 2 x Cadillac 5,670 cc V-8 gasoline engines each producing 110 bhp@4,000 rpm
Maximum Speed
Cross Country – 24 mph
On Road – 36 mph
Distance Without Refueling – 100 miles
Weight – 36,000 lbs
Suspension – Vertical Volute
Dimensions
Length – 14 ft 2.75 ins
Width – 7 ft 4.25 ins
Height – 7 ft 6.5 ins
Armament
Main Gun - 1 x 75 mm M2 Howitzer with 46 rounds on board and 93 in towed armored
ammunition trailer
Secondary – 1 x Browning M2HB .50 caliber MG with 400 rounds
Armor Thickness
Maximum – 67 mm
Minimum – 12 mm
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