M5 Stuart

M5A1 Crews from Company D, 761st Tank Battalion, stand by awaiting call to clean out
scattered German machine gun nests in Coburg, Germany

To relieve wartime demand for the radial aero-engines used in the M3, a new version was
developed using twin Cadillac V8 automobile engines and twin Hydra-Matic transmissions
operating through a transfer case. This version of the tank was quieter, cooler and roomier; the
automatic transmission also simplified crew training. The new model (initially called M4 but
redesignated M5 to avoid confusion with the M4 Sherman[10]) featured a redesigned hull with a
raised rear deck over the engine compartment, sloped glacis plate and driver's hatches moved to
the top. Although the main criticism from units using the Stuarts was that it lacked firepower, the
improved M5 series kept the same 37 mm gun. The M5 gradually replaced the M3 in production
from 1942 and, after the M7 project proved unsatisfactory, was succeeded by the Light Tank
M24 in 1944. Total M5 and M5A1 tank production was 8,884; an additional 1,778 M8 75 mm
howitzer motor carriages based on the M5 chassis with an open-top turret were produced.

Production of M3 and M5[11]

Month M3 series M5 series
March 1941 1
April 1941 127
May 1941 211
June 1941 221
July 1941 253
August 1941 281
September 1941 309
October 1941 400
November 1941 338
December 1941 410
January 1942 378
February 1942 363
March 1942 418
April 1942 544 3
May 1942 619 16
June 1942 711 60
July 1942 762 127
August 1942 694 268
September 1942 620 449
October 1942 944 593
November 1942 199 605
December 1942 1,587 737
January 1943 104 401
February 1943 443 400
March 1943 475 402
April 1943 475 293
May 1943 475 260
June 1943 475 283
July 1943 475 351
August 1943 500 403
September 1943 47 198
October 1943 251
November 1943 348
December 1943 473
January 1944 490
February 1944 458
March 1944 513
April 1944 344
May 1944 134
June 1944 24
Total 13,859 8,884

Light Tank Doctrine

Light Tanks were issued to Tank Battalions (one of the four companies was a light tank
company), Light Tank Battalions and Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadrons. The original role of
the light tank in these formations was similar to medium tanks and they were expected to engage
enemy armor with AP rounds and enemy positions with HE rounds. As a result, tank gunnery
training for Light and Medium tankers was common.[12]

US Army Field Manuals written before 1944 clearly show that light tanks were to be part of an
armored assault on enemy positions, and examples of fire on enemy armor were in these
manuals.[13] When pursuing an enemy, Light Tank Battalions were expected to move parallel
with enemy columns and, together with accompanying infantry and engineer units, seize "critical
terrain that will block hostile retreat".[14] Despite the fact that light tank platoons were not
expected to function as a reconnaissance unit, they could be used for reconnaissance purposes.[15]
In this role, they were expected to remain behind the main reconnaissance force as the support
element and augment the firepower whenever enemy contact was made.[16]

Combat history
[It] is apparent that a Light Tank Battalion, armed with only 37mm guns, unless very skillfully
employed with Infantry, will suffer severe casualties in men and material. The Light Tank still
has to depend on speed, maneuver, and selection of suitable targets if it is to be of very much
use. In spite of the fact that the training of this Battalion was not pointed toward reconnaissance
lines, we have been able to accomplish our missions with a Cavalry Reconnaissance Group with
a much greater degree of success than in any other assignment to date.

Major Loyal Fairall in After action report, 759th Light Tank Battalion, July 44 thru March 45[17]

An M5A1 passing through the wrecked streets of Coutances, Normandy.