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{{Short description|British self-propelled anti-tank gun}}
{{More footnotes|date=March 2010}}
{{More footnotes needed|date=March 2010}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2021}}
{{Infobox weapon
{{Infobox weapon
| name=17pdr SP M10 "Achilles"
| name=17pdr SP M10 "Achilles"
| image=Achilles Tank Destroyer Mk10 at La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium pic8.JPG
| image=File:Een Achilles zelf voortbewegend antitankkanon, uitgerust met een 17-ponder kanon, met de naam Tijger (2155 007462).jpg
| image_size = 300
| image_size = 300
| caption=Achilles nickname "Tiger" in Dutch service, 1950
| caption=M10 Achilles [[self-propelled anti-tank gun]] with its distinctive long-barrelled high-velocity British [[Ordnance QF 17 pounder|17pdr]], at [[La Roche-en-Ardenne]], Belgium
|origin=United Kingdom
|origin=United Kingdom
|type=[[Tank destroyer|Self-propelled anti-tank gun]]
|type=[[Tank destroyer|Self-propelled anti-tank gun]]
Line 18: Line 20:
| speed=51 km/h (32 mph)
| speed=51 km/h (32 mph)
| vehicle_range=300 km (186 mi)
| vehicle_range=300 km (186 mi)
| primary_armament=[[Ordnance QF 17 pounder|Ordnance QF 17 pounder (76.2 mm)]] <br> 50 rounds
| primary_armament=76.2 mm [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder]] <br> 50 rounds
| secondary_armament=[[.50 BMG|.50 cal]] (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning machine gun|Browning M2HB]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|AA]] machine gun<br>420 rounds<br> .303 (7.62 mm) [[Bren light machine gun]]<ref>Chris Henry, Brian Delf ''British Anti-tank Artillery 1939–45'',<!--publisher & place?--> p. 24.</ref>
| secondary_armament=[[.50 BMG|.50 in (12.7 mm)]] [[M2 Browning|Browning M2HB]] [[Anti-aircraft warfare|AA]] machine gun<br>420 rounds<br> .303 (7.62 mm) [[Bren light machine gun]]<ref>Chris Henry, Brian Delf ''British Anti-tank Artillery 1939–45'', Osprey<!--publisher & place?--> p. 24.</ref>
| armour= 9 to 57.2 mm (0.3 to 2.3 in)
| armour= 9 to 57.2 mm (0.3 to 2.3 in)
| engine=[[Detroit Diesel Series 71#WWII General Motors 6004.2F6046 engine|General Motors 6046]] diesel (twin [[Detroit Diesel Series 71#Variants|6-71]])
| engine=[[Detroit Diesel Series 71#WWII General Motors 6004.2F6046 engine|General Motors 6046]] diesel (twin [[Detroit Diesel Series 71#Variants|6-71]])
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}}
}}


The '''17pdr SP Achilles''' (officially '''17 pounder, Self-Propelled, Achilles''') was a British variant of the American [[M10 tank destroyer|M10]] [[tank destroyer]] armed with the British [[Ordnance QF 17 pounder]] high-velocity 76.2 mm (3 inch) [[anti-tank gun]] in place of the M10's considerably less powerful [[3-inch M1918 gun#M7|3 inch (76.2 mm) Gun M7]]. A total of 1,100 M10s were converted to Achilles, making it the second most numerous armoured fighting vehicle to carry the 17 pounder gun, behind the [[Sherman Firefly]] it was one of the best tanks of ww2
The '''17pdr SP Achilles''' (officially '''17 pounder, Self-Propelled, Achilles''') is a British variant of the American [[M10 tank destroyer|M10]] [[tank destroyer]] armed with the British [[Ordnance QF 17-pounder]] high-velocity 76.2&nbsp;mm (3-inch) [[anti-tank gun]] in place of the M10's considerably less powerful [[3-inch gun M1918|3-inch (76.2 mm) Gun M7]]. A total of 1,100 M10s were converted to Achilles, making it the second most numerous armoured fighting vehicle to carry the 17-pounder gun, behind the [[Sherman Firefly]] tank.


The name "Achilles" was officially a designation applied to both the 3" gun and 17 pounder versions (as Achilles I/II and Achilles Ic/IIc respectively) but was little used during the [[World War II|Second World War]]; at the time, the vehicle was called 17pdr M10, or 17pdr SP M10, or even occasionally, "Firefly". It has since become identified almost exclusively with the 17 pounder version.
The name "Achilles" was officially a designation applied to both the 3-inch gun and 17-pounder versions (as Achilles I/II and Achilles Ic/IIc respectively) but was little used during the [[World War II|Second World War]]; at the time, the vehicle was called 17pdr M10, or 17pdr SP M10, or even occasionally, "Firefly". It has since become identified almost exclusively with the 17 pounder version.


==Origins==
==Origins==
In the wake of Germany's successful 1939–41 campaigns, US armour doctrine had incorporated the idea of fast, lightly [[vehicle armour|armoured vehicles]] carrying high-velocity [[anti-tank gun]]s as the best way to deal with the fast moving armour spearheads of the German [[Blitzkrieg]]. The M10 was based on the chassis of the [[M4 Sherman]] but carried thinner although more [[sloped armour]] in order to comply with the high speed requirement for the tank. At the same time, the British had been examining the possibility of designing a low-silhouette self-propelled [[tank destroyer]], preferably with a 360-degree traversing turret, with armour that would be able to resist the German [[5 cm KwK 39]] standard 50 mm gun at 800 yards and mounting the 17 pounder. However, with the arrival of the M10 on the battlefield in late 1942, British plans for a turreted self-propelled gun were cancelled.
In the wake of Germany's successful 1939–41 campaigns, US armour doctrine had incorporated the idea of fast, lightly [[Vehicle armour|armoured vehicles]] carrying high-velocity anti-tank guns as the best way to deal with the fast-moving spearheads of the German [[blitzkrieg]].{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} The M10 was based on the chassis of the [[M4 Sherman]] but carrying thinner although more [[sloped armour]] in order to comply with the high-speed requirement for the tank. At the same time, the British had been examining the possibility of designing a low-silhouette self-propelled anti-tank gun, preferably with a 360-degree traversing turret, with armour that would be able to resist the German [[5 cm KwK 39]] gun fitted to German tanks at 800 yards and mounting the 17-pounder anti-tank gun. However, with the arrival of the M10 on the battlefield in late 1942, British plans for a turreted self-propelled gun were cancelled.


During the [[North African campaign]], the British did use self-propelled AT guns such as [[Deacon (artillery)|6-pdr Deacon.]] The [[Valentine tank]] chassis was fitted with the 17-pdr to create the [[Archer (tank destroyer)|Archer]] which was used later in north-west Europe.
⚫
The armour of the M10 provided good protection against the 50&nbsp;mm mounted on most German tanks and anti-tank guns. The M10 was first made available to the British in 1943. These vehicles were open-topped and mounted a [[3-inch M1918 gun#M7|3 inch (76.2 mm) M7]] American gun, which was significantly more powerful than the [[Ordnance QF 6 pounder]] that was mounted on British tanks of the period and was of equal power to the [[7.5 cm KwK 40]] used by the [[Panzer IV]] and [[Sturmgeschütz III]].

⚫
The armour of the M10 provided good protection against the 50 mm gun mounted on most German tanks and anti-tank guns. The M10 was first made available to the British in 1943. These vehicles were open-topped and mounted a 3-inch (76.2 mm) M7 American gun, which was significantly more powerful than the [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder]] that was mounted on British tanks of the period and was of equal power to the [[7.5&nbsp;cm KwK 40]] used by the [[Panzer IV]] tank and [[Sturmgeschütz III]] assault gun.


==Design==
==Design==
[[Image:Armoured Ramp Carrier 03.jpg|thumb|left|An Achilles 17pdr [[Self-propelled anti-tank gun]] crossing the [[River Savio]] on a [[Churchill tank|Churchill ARK]] which was driven into the river, 24 October 1944]]
[[Image:Armoured Ramp Carrier 03.jpg|thumb|left|An Achilles 17pdr [[self-propelled anti-tank gun]] crossing the [[River Savio]] in northern Italy on a [[Churchill tank|Churchill ARK]] which was driven into the river, 24 October 1944]]
[[File:Bovenaanzicht van een Achilles zelf voortbewegend antitankkanon, uitgerust met een 17-ponder kanon, met de naam Leeuw (2155 007450).jpg|thumb|right|Top-down view of open fighting compartment of the Achilles]]
The 17 pdr SP Achilles was basically a modified M10, the principal difference being the gun. The main armament of the Achilles was the [[Ordnance QF 17 pounder]], a substantially more powerful gun than the 3 in (76.2 mm) M7 mounted on the standard M10. The single top-mounted .50 calibre [[M2 Browning]] heavy machine gun was retained.
The 17 pdr SP Achilles was basically a modified M10, the principal difference being the gun. The main armament of the Achilles was the Ordnance QF 17-pounder, a substantially more powerful gun than the 3 inch (76.2&nbsp;mm) M7 mounted on the standard M10. The single top-mounted .50 inch (12.7 mm) [[M2 Browning]] heavy machine gun was retained.


The 17 pounder mounted on the Achilles was able to penetrate some 140&nbsp;mm of armour at {{convert|500|m|yd|abbr=on}} and 131&nbsp;mm at {{convert|1000|m|yd|abbr=on}} using standard [[APCBC|Armour Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Capped]] (APCBC) ammunition impacting at a 30-degree angle. When supplied, [[Armour-piercing discarding sabot]] (APDS) ammunition could penetrate some 209&nbsp;mm (8 inches) of armour at 500 metres and 192&nbsp;mm at 1,000 metres at a 30-degree angle, though the accuracy of the APDS round was poor during the war. In comparison, the M7 gun on the standard M10 using the same type of ammunition (APCBC) would penetrate 98&nbsp;mm of armour at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and 88&nbsp;mm of armour at 1,000 metres at a 30-degree angle. Only with High Velocity Armour Piercing ([[HVAP]]) ammunition did that gun compare with the 17 pounder, the ammunition being able to penetrate 140&nbsp;mm at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and 127&nbsp;mm at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle. However, HVAP ammunition was in very short supply, whereas the standard 17 pounder ammunition was available in huge quantities for the British.
The 17-pounder mounted on the Achilles was able to penetrate some {{convert|140|mm|in|abbr=on}} of armour at {{convert|500|m|yd|abbr=on}} and {{convert|131|mm|in|abbr=on}} at {{convert|1000|m|yd|abbr=on}} using standard [[APCBC|Armour Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Capped]] (APCBC) ammunition impacting at a 30-degree angle. When supplied, [[Armour-piercing discarding sabot]] (APDS) ammunition could penetrate 209&nbsp; mm (8 inches) of armour at 500 m and {{convert|192|mm|abbr=on}} at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle, though the accuracy of the APDS round was poor during the war. In comparison, the M7 gun on the standard M10 using APCBC ammunition would penetrate {{convert|98|mm|abbr=on}} of armour at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and 88&nbsp; mm of armour at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle. Only with High-Velocity Armour Piercing (HVAP) ammunition did that gun compare with the 17-pounder, the ammunition being able to penetrate {{convert|140|mm|abbr=on}} at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and {{convert|127|mm|abbr=on}} at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle. However, 3-inch HVAP ammunition was in very short supply, whereas the standard 17-pounder ammunition was available in huge quantities for the British.


The 17 pounder required a counterweight fitted behind the [[muzzle brake]] on its long barrel. This gave the Achilles a distinctive appearance compared to the comparatively short-barrelled, brakeless, entirely straight barrel of the M10. Once the Germans discovered the effectiveness of the Achilles' gun on the same M10 carriage as the much less powerful M7 gun, attempts were made to disguise the 17 pounder by painting its brake and counterweight.
The 17-pounder required a counterweight fitted behind the [[muzzle brake]] on its long barrel. This gave the Achilles a distinctive appearance compared to the comparatively short-barrelled, brakeless, entirely straight barrel of the M10. Once the Germans discovered the effectiveness of the Achilles' gun on the same M10 carriage as the much less powerful M7 gun, attempts were made to disguise the 17-pounder by painting its brake and counterweight.


Two other material changes were made to the Achilles: the addition of {{convert|17|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick armour plates welded to the front and sides of the M10 to increase armour protection; and the M10's open turret was fitted with a 20&nbsp;mm thick shield to provide protection from overhead threats.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}
Two other material changes were made to the Achilles: the addition of {{convert|17|mm|in|abbr=on}} thick armour plates welded to the front and sides of the M10 to increase armour protection, and the M10's open turret was fitted with a 20&nbsp;mm thick shield to provide protection from overhead threats.{{citation needed|date=October 2012}}


==Production==
==Production==
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-299-1818-05, Nordfrankreich, englischer Panzer M10 Achilles.jpg|thumb|German personnel examine an Achilles of 245 Battery, 62nd Regiment, Royal Artillery, knocked out with three penetrating hits to its turret in Normandy, 1944]]
[[File:Bundesarchiv Bild 101I-299-1818-05, Nordfrankreich, englischer Panzer M10 Achilles.jpg|thumb|German personnel examine an Achilles of 245 Battery, 62nd Regiment, Royal Artillery, knocked out with three penetrating hits to its turret in Normandy, 1944]]
[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B14767.jpg|thumb|right|An Achilles 17-pdr tank destroyer uses a building as cover in [[Hassum]], near [[Goch]] in Germany, 20 February 1945]]
[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B14767.jpg|thumb|right|An Achilles 17-pdr tank destroyer uses a building as cover in {{ill|Hassum, Germany|lt=Hassum|de|Hassum}}<!--Can't just use "Hassum" for the English title, because that's the title of an article about somewhere completely different.-->, near [[Goch]] in Germany, 20 February 1945]]


The desire to mount the 17 pounder on the M10 was governed by the degree of difficulty involved in mounting the 17 pounder on the tank itself. Luckily for the British, the initial batches of M10s had an easily modified gun mounting to facilitate the future replacement of the older [[3-inch Gun M1918|3 inch M7 gun]] with the newer [[76 mm gun M1]]. This gun mounting design allowed for the British to replace the 3 inch gun with the 17 pounder gun. The British took delivery of some 845 vehicles in 1943, but of the second version of the M10, only the T71 mark designed to carry the M1 gun could carry the 17 pounder.<ref>Buckley, J. "British Armour in the Normandy Campaign" Abingdon (2004) p. 171</ref>
The desire to mount the 17-pounder on the M10 was governed by the degree of difficulty involved in mounting the 17-pounder on the tank itself. Luckily for the British, the initial batches of M10s had an easily modified gun mounting to facilitate the future replacement of the older 3-inch M7 gun with the newer [[76 mm gun M1]]. This gun mounting design allowed for the British to replace the 3-inch gun with the 17-pounder gun. The British took delivery of some 845 vehicles in 1943, but of the second version of the M10, only the T71 mark designed to carry the M1 gun could carry the 17-pounder.<ref>Buckley, J. "British Armour in the Normandy Campaign" Abingdon (2004) p. 171</ref>


The British had planned to convert some 1,000 M10s into 17pdr armed variants for Normandy, but for some reason conversions were not started until April 1944. By D-Day, only some 124 M10s had been converted; however, the number of conversions post D-day increased and by the end of the year 816 M10s had been converted, 152 vehicles in November alone. However, the low numbers at D-day meant both that many British units went ashore fielding standard M10s and losses in Achilles units were often replaced by standard 3" armed M10s.
The British had planned to convert 1,000 M10s into 17pdr armed variants for Normandy, but for some reason conversions were not started until April 1944. By 6 June 1944, only 124 M10s had been converted; however, the number of conversions post D-day increased and by the end of the year 816 M10s had been converted, 152 vehicles in November alone. However, the low numbers at the start of the [[Operation Overlord|invasion of Normandy]] meant that many British units went ashore with the standard M10s and that losses in Achilles-equipped units were often replaced by standard 3-inch armed M10s.


As a self-propelled anti-tank gun, both Achilles and standard M10s were distributed to and operated by the regiments of the [[Royal Artillery]]. Around 1,650 M10s were received by the British during the war, with 1,100 converted to the 17 pdr by its end.
As a self-propelled anti-tank gun, both Achilles and standard M10s were distributed to and operated by the regiments of the [[Royal Artillery]]. Around 1,650 M10s were received by the British during the war, with 1,100 converted to the 17-pdr by its end.


==Operational use==
==Operational use==
The standard anti-tank gun used in infantry units in the British Army was the 6 pounder, a small, light gun able to defeat the more common German [[Panzer IV]] and [[Sturmgeschütz]] with regular ammunition but not the heavier [[Panther tank|Panthers]] and Tigers. The next generation British gun, the 17 pounder, was able to deal with Tigers and Panthers but had a far longer emplacement time prior to battle than the 6 pounder due to its larger size, often taking a day to fully prepare for action.
The standard anti-tank gun used in infantry units in the British Army was the [[Ordnance QF 6-pounder|QF 6-pounder gun]] a small, light gun able to defeat the more common German Panzer IV and Sturmgeschütz with regular ammunition but not the heavier [[Panther tank|Panthers]] and [[Tiger I|Tigers]] front on. The next generation British anti-gun, the 17-pounder, was able to deal with Tigers and Panthers but had a far longer emplacement time prior to battle than the 6-pounder due to its larger size, often taking a day to fully prepare for action.


As a result, the British used the Achilles as a quickly deployable anti-tank gun, able to reinforce a position taken by infantry and engage counter-attacking German forces while the slower towed 17 pounders were pulled up and dug in for a more long-term defensive presence. This had the advantage of mitigating the weak armour protection of the Achilles as being used defensively usually allowed it to fire the vital first shot. This was in line with the original design concept of the vehicle, intended to blunt German "blitzkrieg" attack tactics. The M10/Achilles turret had an extremely slow manual only turret rotation, a limited tactical disadvantage when the tank was used only in a defensive role. As such, they had an advantage over German Stugs, which had no turret rotation. However, the Stug's low profile and heavy armour were significant assets that allowed it to be successful in its different tactical environment. Usually, the only time the British used the M10 and Achilles offensively was in support of [[Churchill tank]] units, which lacked the associated 17 pdr-armed tanks that [[M4 Sherman|Sherman]] and [[Cromwell tank]] units had.
As a result, the British used the Achilles as a quickly deployable anti-tank gun, able to reinforce a position taken by infantry and engage counter-attacking German forces while the slower towed 17-pounders were pulled up and dug in for a more long-term defensive presence. This had the advantage of mitigating the weak armour protection of the Achilles as being used defensively usually allowed it to fire the vital first shot. This was in line with the original design concept of the vehicle, intended to blunt German "blitzkrieg" attack tactics. The M10/Achilles turret had an extremely slow manual only turret rotation, a limited tactical disadvantage when the tank was used only in a defensive role. As such, they had an advantage over the German Sturmgeschütz, which had a gun in limited traverse casemate. However, the Sturmgeschütz's low profile and heavy armour were significant assets that allowed it to be successful in its different tactical environment. Usually, the only time the British used the M10 and Achilles offensively was in support of [[Churchill tank]] units, which lacked the associated 17 pdr-armed tanks ([[Sherman Firefly]]) that Sherman and [[Cromwell tank]] units had.


Achilles went ashore on D-Day, equipping units of the [[Royal Artillery]] and [[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery|Royal Canadian Artillery]] in Armoured Division or Corps Anti-tank Regiments. A typical A/Tk Regiment would have 4 Batteries, 2 x Towed 17 Pdr Batteries, 1 x Achilles and 1 x M10 Battery. The M10 Battery was replaced by a second Achilles Battery as more vehicles became available. Perhaps the most successful action of the Achilles was conducted by B troop, 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery attached to the [[The Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)|Royal Hamilton Light Infantry]] during [[Operation Charnwood|Operation ''Charnwood'']]. South of Buron, a counterattack by a mixed force of [[Panzer IV]] and [[Panther tank]]s of the 12th SS Panzer Regiment was defeated by Achilles and [[Ordnance QF 17 pounder|17-pounder anti tank guns]] of 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-tank Regiment. Thirteen German tanks were destroyed in one of the most successful antitank engagements of the campaign, for the loss of four self-propelled guns and a further four damaged.<ref>Copp (2003), pp. 103–104, 296–297</ref>
Achilles went ashore on D-Day, equipping units of the [[Royal Artillery]] and [[Royal Regiment of Canadian Artillery|Royal Canadian Artillery]] in Armoured Division or Corps Anti-tank (A/Tk) Regiments . A typical A/Tk Regiment would have 4 batteries, 2 x towed 17 pdr Batteries, 1 x Achilles and 1 x M10 Battery. The M10 Battery was replaced by a second Achilles Battery as more vehicles became available. Perhaps the most successful action of the Achilles was conducted by B troop, 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery attached to the Canadian [[Royal Hamilton Light Infantry (Wentworth Regiment)|Royal Hamilton Light Infantry]] during [[Operation Charnwood]] to take the city of [[Caen]]. South of [[Buron]], a counterattack by a mixed force of Panzer IV and Panther tanks of the 12th SS Panzer Regiment was defeated by Achilles and 17-pounder anti tank guns of 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-tank Regiment. Thirteen German tanks were destroyed in one of the most successful anti-tank engagements of the campaign, for the loss of four self-propelled guns and a further four damaged.<ref>Copp (2003), pp. 103–104, 296–297</ref>

==Post-war usage==
After [[ww2]] Canada rebuilt m10 at the Montreal Locomotive Works and gave 48 m10 to Denmark and the Netherlands in 1955. They were used in local defense until 1989.<ref>Copyright © 2008 - 2024 HKSKHF / Pansermuseet</ref><ref>Copyright © 1997 - 2024 Danish Army Vehicles Homepage</ref>
==Korean war==
The M10 was also used in the [[Korean war]] until 1951 were they were replaced by [[centurion tank]]<ref>Copyright ©2015-2024 Tank AFVs</ref>


==Surviving examples==
==Surviving examples==
<gallery preserved="" examples="" class="center" widths="200px">
<gallery preserved="" examples="" class="center" widths="200px">
File:M10 (17pdr) Achilles Ic (35807817713).jpg|17pdr SP Achilles on display at [[The Tank Museum]], [[Bovington]] UK
File:M10 (17pdr) Achilles Ic (35807817713).jpg|17pdr SP Achilles on display at [[The Tank Museum]], [[Bovington]] UK
File:17-pounder Achilles SP Tank Destroyer, 3rd Cav Museum, Fort Hood, Texas (1).jpg|At the 3rd Cavalry Museum, [[Fort Hood]], [[Texas]]
File:17-pounder Achilles SP Tank Destroyer, 3rd Cav Museum, Fort Hood, Texas (1).jpg|At the 3rd Cavalry Museum, [[Fort Cavazos]], [[Texas]]
File:M10 Achilles self-propelled gun outside the Bastogne Historical Centre.jpg|Displayed outside the [[Bastogne War Museum]]
File:M10 Achilles self-propelled gun outside the Bastogne Historical Centre.jpg|Displayed outside the [[Bastogne War Museum]] in [[Belgium]]
</gallery>
</gallery>


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==References==
==References==
{{reflist}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
⚫
{{Commons category|17pdr SP Achilles}}
* [https://books.google.com/books?id=0e-zuHNyYzEC&pg=PT7&lpg=PT7&dq=17pdr+achilles&source=bl&ots=T5AAVpigSC&sig=9gCCK6OKkIUTubRPMlbuHstLOJg&hl=en&ei=boi6SbDlNduw-Ab0p6W2BQ&sa=X&oi=book_result&resnum=7&ct=result#PPT6,M1 British Anti-tank Artillery 1939-45 By Chris Henry, Brian Delf at google books]


==Bibliography==
⚫
{{Commons category}}
{{Refbegin}}
* {{Cite book |title=British Armour in the Normandy Campaign 1944 |publisher=Routledge |last=Buckley |first=John |authorlink=John Buckley (historian) |year=2004 |isbn=0-7146-5323-3}}
* {{Cite book| first=Terry|last=Copp|author-link=Terry Copp| title=Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy|location=Toronto|publisher=University of Toronto Press| date=2003| isbn=978-0-8020-3780-0|oclc=56329119}}
* {{Cite book |title=British Anti-tank Artillery 1939-45 |first=Chris |last=Henry |others=illustrated by Brian Delf |publisher=Osprey Publishing |series=New Vanguard 98 |date= 2004 |isbn=9781841766386}}
{{Refend}}


{{WWIIBritishAFVs}}
{{WWIIBritishAFVs}}
⚫
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2011}}


[[Category:World War II tanks of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II tanks of the United Kingdom]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada|Sherman]]
[[Category:World War II armoured fighting vehicles of Canada|Sherman]]
[[Category:World War II tank destroyers]]
[[Category:World War II tank destroyers]]
[[Category:Military vehicles introduced from 1940 to 1944]]

Latest revision as of 08:17, 5 October 2024

17pdr SP M10 "Achilles"
Achilles nickname "Tiger" in Dutch service, 1950
TypeSelf-propelled anti-tank gun
Place of originUnited Kingdom
Production history
ManufacturerFisher Tank Arsenal Grand Blanc, Michigan - converted by Royal Arsenal, Woolwich
No. built1,100
Specifications
Mass29.6 tonnes (65,000 lb)
Length7.01 m (23 ft 8+1⁄4 in) including gun
5.97 m (19 ft 7 in) excluding gun
Width3.05 m (10 ft)
Height2.57 m (8 ft 2 in)
Crew5 (commander, loader, gunner, loader's assistant, driver)
Armour9 to 57.2 mm (0.3 to 2.3 in)
Main
armament
76.2 mm Ordnance QF 17-pounder
50 rounds
Secondary
armament
.50 in (12.7 mm) Browning M2HB AA machine gun
420 rounds
.303 (7.62 mm) Bren light machine gun[1]
EngineGeneral Motors 6046 diesel (twin 6-71)
375 hp (276 kW)
Power/weight12.5 hp/tonne
SuspensionVertical Volute Spring Suspension (VVSS)
Operational
range
300 km (186 mi)
Maximum speed 51 km/h (32 mph)

The 17pdr SP Achilles (officially 17 pounder, Self-Propelled, Achilles) is a British variant of the American M10 tank destroyer armed with the British Ordnance QF 17-pounder high-velocity 76.2 mm (3-inch) anti-tank gun in place of the M10's considerably less powerful 3-inch (76.2 mm) Gun M7. A total of 1,100 M10s were converted to Achilles, making it the second most numerous armoured fighting vehicle to carry the 17-pounder gun, behind the Sherman Firefly tank.

The name "Achilles" was officially a designation applied to both the 3-inch gun and 17-pounder versions (as Achilles I/II and Achilles Ic/IIc respectively) but was little used during the Second World War; at the time, the vehicle was called 17pdr M10, or 17pdr SP M10, or even occasionally, "Firefly". It has since become identified almost exclusively with the 17 pounder version.

Origins

[edit]

In the wake of Germany's successful 1939–41 campaigns, US armour doctrine had incorporated the idea of fast, lightly armoured vehicles carrying high-velocity anti-tank guns as the best way to deal with the fast-moving spearheads of the German blitzkrieg.[citation needed] The M10 was based on the chassis of the M4 Sherman but carrying thinner although more sloped armour in order to comply with the high-speed requirement for the tank. At the same time, the British had been examining the possibility of designing a low-silhouette self-propelled anti-tank gun, preferably with a 360-degree traversing turret, with armour that would be able to resist the German 5 cm KwK 39 gun fitted to German tanks at 800 yards and mounting the 17-pounder anti-tank gun. However, with the arrival of the M10 on the battlefield in late 1942, British plans for a turreted self-propelled gun were cancelled.

During the North African campaign, the British did use self-propelled AT guns such as 6-pdr Deacon. The Valentine tank chassis was fitted with the 17-pdr to create the Archer which was used later in north-west Europe.

The armour of the M10 provided good protection against the 50 mm gun mounted on most German tanks and anti-tank guns. The M10 was first made available to the British in 1943. These vehicles were open-topped and mounted a 3-inch (76.2 mm) M7 American gun, which was significantly more powerful than the Ordnance QF 6-pounder that was mounted on British tanks of the period and was of equal power to the 7.5 cm KwK 40 used by the Panzer IV tank and Sturmgeschütz III assault gun.

Design

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An Achilles 17pdr self-propelled anti-tank gun crossing the River Savio in northern Italy on a Churchill ARK which was driven into the river, 24 October 1944
Top-down view of open fighting compartment of the Achilles

The 17 pdr SP Achilles was basically a modified M10, the principal difference being the gun. The main armament of the Achilles was the Ordnance QF 17-pounder, a substantially more powerful gun than the 3 inch (76.2 mm) M7 mounted on the standard M10. The single top-mounted .50 inch (12.7 mm) M2 Browning heavy machine gun was retained.

The 17-pounder mounted on the Achilles was able to penetrate some 140 mm (5.5 in) of armour at 500 m (550 yd) and 131 mm (5.2 in) at 1,000 m (1,100 yd) using standard Armour Piercing, Capped, Ballistic Capped (APCBC) ammunition impacting at a 30-degree angle. When supplied, Armour-piercing discarding sabot (APDS) ammunition could penetrate 209  mm (8 inches) of armour at 500 m and 192 mm (7.6 in) at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle, though the accuracy of the APDS round was poor during the war. In comparison, the M7 gun on the standard M10 using APCBC ammunition would penetrate 98 mm (3.9 in) of armour at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and 88  mm of armour at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle. Only with High-Velocity Armour Piercing (HVAP) ammunition did that gun compare with the 17-pounder, the ammunition being able to penetrate 140 mm (5.5 in) at 500 m at a 30-degree angle, and 127 mm (5.0 in) at 1,000 m at a 30-degree angle. However, 3-inch HVAP ammunition was in very short supply, whereas the standard 17-pounder ammunition was available in huge quantities for the British.

The 17-pounder required a counterweight fitted behind the muzzle brake on its long barrel. This gave the Achilles a distinctive appearance compared to the comparatively short-barrelled, brakeless, entirely straight barrel of the M10. Once the Germans discovered the effectiveness of the Achilles' gun on the same M10 carriage as the much less powerful M7 gun, attempts were made to disguise the 17-pounder by painting its brake and counterweight.

Two other material changes were made to the Achilles: the addition of 17 mm (0.67 in) thick armour plates welded to the front and sides of the M10 to increase armour protection, and the M10's open turret was fitted with a 20 mm thick shield to provide protection from overhead threats.[citation needed]

Production

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German personnel examine an Achilles of 245 Battery, 62nd Regiment, Royal Artillery, knocked out with three penetrating hits to its turret in Normandy, 1944
An Achilles 17-pdr tank destroyer uses a building as cover in Hassum [de], near Goch in Germany, 20 February 1945

The desire to mount the 17-pounder on the M10 was governed by the degree of difficulty involved in mounting the 17-pounder on the tank itself. Luckily for the British, the initial batches of M10s had an easily modified gun mounting to facilitate the future replacement of the older 3-inch M7 gun with the newer 76 mm gun M1. This gun mounting design allowed for the British to replace the 3-inch gun with the 17-pounder gun. The British took delivery of some 845 vehicles in 1943, but of the second version of the M10, only the T71 mark designed to carry the M1 gun could carry the 17-pounder.[2]

The British had planned to convert 1,000 M10s into 17pdr armed variants for Normandy, but for some reason conversions were not started until April 1944. By 6 June 1944, only 124 M10s had been converted; however, the number of conversions post D-day increased and by the end of the year 816 M10s had been converted, 152 vehicles in November alone. However, the low numbers at the start of the invasion of Normandy meant that many British units went ashore with the standard M10s and that losses in Achilles-equipped units were often replaced by standard 3-inch armed M10s.

As a self-propelled anti-tank gun, both Achilles and standard M10s were distributed to and operated by the regiments of the Royal Artillery. Around 1,650 M10s were received by the British during the war, with 1,100 converted to the 17-pdr by its end.

Operational use

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The standard anti-tank gun used in infantry units in the British Army was the QF 6-pounder gun a small, light gun able to defeat the more common German Panzer IV and Sturmgeschütz with regular ammunition but not the heavier Panthers and Tigers front on. The next generation British anti-gun, the 17-pounder, was able to deal with Tigers and Panthers but had a far longer emplacement time prior to battle than the 6-pounder due to its larger size, often taking a day to fully prepare for action.

As a result, the British used the Achilles as a quickly deployable anti-tank gun, able to reinforce a position taken by infantry and engage counter-attacking German forces while the slower towed 17-pounders were pulled up and dug in for a more long-term defensive presence. This had the advantage of mitigating the weak armour protection of the Achilles as being used defensively usually allowed it to fire the vital first shot. This was in line with the original design concept of the vehicle, intended to blunt German "blitzkrieg" attack tactics. The M10/Achilles turret had an extremely slow manual only turret rotation, a limited tactical disadvantage when the tank was used only in a defensive role. As such, they had an advantage over the German Sturmgeschütz, which had a gun in limited traverse casemate. However, the Sturmgeschütz's low profile and heavy armour were significant assets that allowed it to be successful in its different tactical environment. Usually, the only time the British used the M10 and Achilles offensively was in support of Churchill tank units, which lacked the associated 17 pdr-armed tanks (Sherman Firefly) that Sherman and Cromwell tank units had.

Achilles went ashore on D-Day, equipping units of the Royal Artillery and Royal Canadian Artillery in Armoured Division or Corps Anti-tank (A/Tk) Regiments . A typical A/Tk Regiment would have 4 batteries, 2 x towed 17 pdr Batteries, 1 x Achilles and 1 x M10 Battery. The M10 Battery was replaced by a second Achilles Battery as more vehicles became available. Perhaps the most successful action of the Achilles was conducted by B troop, 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery attached to the Canadian Royal Hamilton Light Infantry during Operation Charnwood to take the city of Caen. South of Buron, a counterattack by a mixed force of Panzer IV and Panther tanks of the 12th SS Panzer Regiment was defeated by Achilles and 17-pounder anti tank guns of 245th Battery, 62nd Anti-tank Regiment. Thirteen German tanks were destroyed in one of the most successful anti-tank engagements of the campaign, for the loss of four self-propelled guns and a further four damaged.[3]

Post-war usage

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After ww2 Canada rebuilt m10 at the Montreal Locomotive Works and gave 48 m10 to Denmark and the Netherlands in 1955. They were used in local defense until 1989.[4][5]

Korean war

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The M10 was also used in the Korean war until 1951 were they were replaced by centurion tank[6]

Surviving examples

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ Chris Henry, Brian Delf British Anti-tank Artillery 1939–45, Osprey p. 24.
  2. ^ Buckley, J. "British Armour in the Normandy Campaign" Abingdon (2004) p. 171
  3. ^ Copp (2003), pp. 103–104, 296–297
  4. ^ Copyright © 2008 - 2024 HKSKHF / Pansermuseet
  5. ^ Copyright © 1997 - 2024 Danish Army Vehicles Homepage
  6. ^ Copyright ©2015-2024 Tank AFVs

Bibliography

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Wikimedia Commons has media related to 17pdr SP Achilles.
  • Buckley, John (2004). British Armour in the Normandy Campaign 1944. Routledge. ISBN 0-7146-5323-3.
  • Copp, Terry (2003). Fields of Fire: The Canadians in Normandy. Toronto: University of Toronto Press. ISBN 978-0-8020-3780-0. OCLC 56329119.
  • Henry, Chris (2004). British Anti-tank Artillery 1939-45. New Vanguard 98. illustrated by Brian Delf. Osprey Publishing. ISBN 9781841766386.
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