Gannon, Tom Israeli Half-Track-based Self-Propelled Weapons

Towed guns, howitzers and a variety of mortars were used during the early years of "Heil HaTotchanim" (Artillery Corps). These weapons included homemade mortars such as a small number of the locally-designed and built "Davidka" (Little David), pre-World War I "Napoleonchik" howitzers, and ex-British QF (Quick Firing) 25-pounder guns/howitzers. Small quantities of other vintage or near-vintage pieces dating back to both World Wars, were also purchased and otherwise "acquired" from various sources and used as well. In the beginning, by necessity, some of these weapons were combined with various vehicles also obtained from multiple sources. Having already seen the improvisations made using the venerable Sherman tank in Volume 1 and Volume 2, this volume will cover different weapon systems mounted on American-built half-tracks.

In addition, there were smaller quantities of other artillery weapons from the 1st and 2nd World Wars that had been purchased or otherwise "procured" somewhere in the world. Initially, some of these weapons were necessarily combined with various vehicles, which were also obtained from different sources. Having already covered improvisation with the legendary "Sherman" tank in Volumes 1 and 2, this volume documents various artillery weapon systems mounted on American-made half-tracks.