RESTRICTED FM 30-40 


BASIC FIELD MANUAL 

• 

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE 

IDENTIFICATION OF 

UNITED STATES ARMORED VEHICLES 

Prepared under direction of the 

Chief of Stall' 

• 

UNITED STATES 

GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 

WASHINGTON: 1941 
WASHINGTON, May 21, 1941. 

FM 30--40, Military Intelligence, Identification of United 

States Armored Vehicles, is pUblished for the information and 

guidance of all concerned. 

IA. G. 062.11 (4-2-41).) 

By ORDER OF THE SECRETARY OF WAR: 

G. 	C. MARSHALL, 

Chief of Staff. 

OFFICIAL: 

E. S. ADAMS, 

Major General, 


The Adjutant General. 


DI3TRIBUTION: 

D (3); B (5); R 1, 3, 4, 10 (5). 2, 5, 6, 1, 17 (10); 

Bn 2, 5,6,7, 9 (10), 17, (15); IBn 7 (15); C 2, 

3,6,7,9 (5), 17 (15); IC 2, 7 (15). 

{For explanation of symbols, see FM 21-6,) 

II 
FM 30-40 


RESTRICTED 

BASIC FIELD MANUAL 

MILITARY INTELLIGENCE 

IDENTIFICATION OF UNITED STATES ARMORED 

VEHICLES 

SECTION I 

GENERAL 

• 1. PURl?OSE.-The purpose of this manual is to serve as a 

guide in the identification of armored vehicles of the United 

states. 

• 2. Scol?E.-Only those armored vehicles of the United States 

in current operation are covered. They are shown by photographs and silhouettes. When photographs are not given, 

blank spaces have been left so that they may be added when 

provided. 

• 3. NECESSITY.--Quick and accurate identification of both 

hostile and friendly armored vehicles is of vital importance 

in modern warfare. The imllortance of the armored vehicles 

and the required cooperation make it imperative that all arms 

and services and all ranks be familiar, not only with the equipment used in our service, but with all other equipment likely 

to be encountered on the field of battle. The ever-widening 

sphere of action of armored vehicles requires knowledge of 

such equipment by all personnel, no matter where located 

in the theater of operations. 

• 4. TRAIIDNG.-The rapid movements and the different angles 

of presentation assumed by armored vehicles in movement 

make positive identification an extremely difficult task for 

any but thoroughly trained observers. Effective training can 

be accomplished only by the employment of a definite and 

logical system of identification methods. The ready identification can be accomplished only by thorough study of the 

different types and by constant practice in observing all type~ 

of vehicles in the field. 

1 

--, 
5-6 IDENTIFICATION OF U. S. ARMOREDVEHlCLES 

• 5. METHOD OF IDENTIFICATION.~. Observers· must be able 

to detect quickly and analyze rapidly every possible indication 

of identity of armored vehicles. 

b. These Identifications may be grouped into three general 

classes: 

(1) Characteristic visible features of individual vehicles; 

generally indicative of the type and, when noted in sufficient 

detail, of the particular model. Among these characteristic 

features areGeneral shape and size, 

Open or closed top. 

Turrets, including top and hold turrets, cupolas, and 

periscopes. 

Wheeled, track, or half"track vehicles.·· 

Location of drive sprocket wheeLefront'orrear drive). 

Number of bOgie wheels, whether skirted or open; 

Guns and mounting of guns (shield; .ball;:l>j:-,turret 

mounted). 

Ventilation apertures, louvers or grids. 

Wireless apparatus, location of lights, acceSs()rieS;and 

handrails. 

(2) Operation and maneuver characteristics, including 

speed, maneuverability, cross-country, and performance features. 

(3) Characteristic soun<'ls-during dark and other periods 

of low visibilitY,sound will usually be the only means of 

identity. 

c. In general, identification will be accompanied by noting 

and combining iriaicatioris. p.ride(El}lJhree classes. In order 

that all possible indications maybe qUlckly noted and. evaluated, the observer must be trained to know what characterIstic indications are most likely to bedetectect:under conditions 

existing at the moment of obServation.l!~ .Illustthoroughly 

understand the effect of distance on visible characteristics. 

86. USE OF FIELD GLASSEs~Fieldglasses ·or-other' shnilar 

medium power glasses are of great value in cli.StiIlgu;shfll.gIhe 

characteristic visible features of armored vehiclesakicCUstance. All observers and others whose duties areconcerried 

With identification of armored vehicles should be eqUtpped 

with field glasses and reqUired to use them habitually in observation. 

2 
IDENTIFICATION OF U. S. ARMORED VEHICLES 7-8 

• 7. CLASSIFICATION OF ARMORED VEHICLEs.-Armored vehicles 

may be generally classified as wheeled, full-track laying, and 

half-track. 

a. Wkeeled.-This type comprises scout and armored cars 

and uses the conventional automotive chassis. The speed 

range is higher than the track laying types. They do not, 

however, possess the cross-country mobility of either the fulltrack laying or the half-track vehicles. The operating range 

is approximately 250 miles. Their high speed and radius of 

action render them particularly suitable for reconnaissance 

missions. 

o. Full-track layinu.-This classification includes all vehicles which are supported and propelled entirely by tracks. 

Vehicles using this type of drive possess a high degree of 

cross-country mobility. The speed range is normally from 

25 to 35 miles per hour. They are used for attack and combat 

missions, and particularly those requiring shock action and 

fire power. The application of the heavY, medium, and light 

tank will vary according to circumstances. In some instances, 

the medium or heavY tank may be utilized to break through 

and destroy antitank defenses, and the light tank then utilized 

for exploiting the success gained. Under other conditions, as 

when antitank defenses are not well organized, the light tank 

itself may be used as a break-through vehicle. Frequently 

the medium or heavy tank will be attached to light tank elements and utilized to provide close, heavier caliber fire support. Other circumstances may arise where the medium or 

the heavy tank is utilized as a supporting vehicle for infantry 

advance. 

c. Halj-track.-This type of vehicle, a combination of the 

track laying and wheeled types, is usually driven by a short 

track on the rear and steered by conventional front wheels. 

Half-track vehicles are used generally as reconnaissance vehicles, personnel carriers, prime movers for artillery, and for 

other Uses which do not require as high a degree of crosscountry mobility as those for which the full-track laying types 

are employed. The speed range is from 35 to 45 miles per 

hour. 

• 8. ARRANGEMENT OF DATA.-In the interests of uniformity, 

armored vehicles for all countries will be ILsted in the followIng order: 

3 
,7 


8-9 IDENTIFICATION OF U;· S. ARMORED VEHICLES 

a. scout cars and armored cars.,,-Thig category will comprise vehicles used primarily for reconnaissance purposes. 

Scout cars normally have no turret protection. 

b. Light tanks.-In general, this category will compriee all 

tanks from 5 to 15 tons. 

c. Medium tanks.-This category will comprise all tanks 

from 15 to 35 tons. 

d. Heavy tanks.-This category will comprise armoredvehicles over 35 tons. 

e. Other vehicles.-This category will include personnel carriers, machine-gun carriers, mortar carriers, half-track vehicles, etc . 

• 9. DISTINCTIVE MARKINGs.-Armored vehicles of various nations may frequently be identified by distinctive markings. 

These markings are subject to change and may vary during 

different phases of anyone campaign. The markings normally will be such that they can be viSible from the all' and 

from the rear, but infrequently wi1! the markings be visible 

from the front. These distinctive markings, when known, 

should be communicated to personnel by instructions issued in 

the field. 

4 
SECTION II 

ARMORED VEHICLES OF THE UNITED STATES 

5 

UNITED STATES 


ARMY 


SCOUT CAR 1\11. 

6 
UNITED STATES SCOUT CAR 

ARMY Ml 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

314735°-41-~2 7 
UNITED STATES 


ARMY 


SCOUT CAR M3. 

8 
UNITED STATES SCOUT CAR 

ARMY M'3 

Top. 

Front. 

Reur. 

Slde. 

9 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

SCOUT CAR M3Al. 

10 
UNITED STATES SCOUT CAR 

ARMY M3Al 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

11 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M1Al. 

12 
UNITED STATES LIGHT TANK 

ARMY MIAl 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

13 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M1A2. 

14 
UNITED STATES LIGHTTANK 

ARMY !-UA2 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M2Al. 

16 
UNITED STATES LIGHT TANK 

ARMY M2Al 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

17 
l)Nl'l'ED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M2A2. 

18 
UNITED STATES LIGHT TANK 

ARMY M2A2 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

19 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M2A3. 

20 
UNITED STATES LlGHTTANK 

ARMY M2A3 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

21 
/," 

u'Nl'l'ED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M2A4. 

22 
UNITED STATES LIOHTTANK 

ARMY M2A4 

Top. 

FTont. 

Rear. 

Side. 

23 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

LIGHT TANK M3. 

General external appearance and armament same as Light 


TankM2A4. 


24 
UNITED STATES LIGHT TANK 

ARl\,fY M3 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

25 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

MEDIUM TANK M2Al. 

26 
UNITED STATES MEDIUM TANK 

ARMY M2Al 

Top. 

F-ront. 

Rear. 

Side. 

27 
UNITED STATES 

AR.:M.Y 

MEDHJ~ TANK r-.1:3. 

28 
UNITED STATE..') MEDIUM TANK 

ARMY :M3 

Top. 

Fl'ont. 

Rear. 

SIde. 

29 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

HEAVY TANK Tl. 

30 
UNITED STATES HEAVY TANK 

ARMY Tl 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

31 
UNrr'ED STATES 

ARMY 

HALF-TRACK CAR M2. 

32 
UNITED STATES HALF-TRACK CAR 

ARMY M2 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

33 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

PERSONNEL CARRIER M3. 

34 
UNITED STATES PERSONNEL CARRIER 

ARMY M3 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

35 
UNITED STATES 

ARMY 

MORTAR CARRIER M4. 

36 
UNITED STATES MORTAR CARRIER 

ARMY M4 

Top. 

Front. 

Rear. 

Side. 

o 

37