The M5 line served in a frontline role as the primary American light tank until 1944 to which it was, itself, replaced by the newer M24 "Chaffee" Light Tank. M5 Light Tanks operated primarily in the Pacific and Burmese theaters where Japanese armor was comparable and its anti-weaponry was not as potent as what was seen with the Germans in Africa and Europe. It was during the 1943 Battle of Kasserine Pass that showcased the critical tactical limitations of light tank battalions for the U.S. Army. This led to their disbanding and reforming with medium tank companies while being used primarily in the armed scouting / reconnaissance role. Medium tanks would handle enemy tanks directly.
Variants of the M5 proved plenty during the war years. Marks included a command tank form with increased communications equipment and a turret-less reconnaissance model armed solely with a 0.50 caliber heavy machine gun - brought about under the "T8" designation. Flame tanks were also developed which installed a flame gun in place of the machine gun. A turret-less M5A1 formed the basis of the "M5 Dozer" which saw a dozer blade fitted for engineering work. The 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 was an Self-Propelled Artillery (SPA) system built atop the M5 chassis and outfitted with the 75mm M2/M3 howitzer. 1,778 examples of this type were ultimately produced. Similarly, the 75mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8A1 followed suit though atop the M5A1 chassis. The T82 was a proposed howitzer-carrying vehicle managing a 105mm weapon though this initiative was given up in 1945. Another abandoned M5A1 offshoot was the T27/T27E1 development which mated a turret-less M5A1 with an 81mm mortar. This project too was abandoned - though in April of 1944.
Post-war use of M5s included combat service by both India and Pakistan during the 1947 Independence War. Other known operators went on to include Brazil and Haiti.
Content ©MilitaryFactory.com; No Reproduction Permitted.