M102

M102, officially known as the M102 Howitzer Motor Carriage, is a self-propelled artillery piece developed by the United States during World War II. It was designed to provide mobile artillery support to infantry units on the battlefield.

The M102 is based on the M3 Half-Track chassis, which was a versatile and reliable vehicle used by the U.S. Army. The howitzer itself is a modified M7 Priest self-propelled gun, which was a successful design used in World War II. The M102 is armed with a 105 mm howitzer, which has a range of up to 15,500 meters and can fire a variety of high-explosive, smoke, and illumination rounds.

The M102 was used extensively by the U.S. Army during World War II, particularly in the European Theater. It was known for its reliability and ease of use, which made it a valuable asset to the infantry. The M102 was also used in the Korean War and the Vietnam War, although it was gradually replaced by more modern self-propelled artillery pieces.

The M102 is a significant piece of military history, representing the U.S. Army's efforts to provide mobile, indirect fire support to its infantry units. It is a testament to the importance of self-propelled artillery in modern warfare and the evolution of military technology over the 20th century.