M7 Priest

The M7 Priest received its nickname from the pulpit style assembly mount.

Designation: M7 Priest
Classification Type: Self-Propelled Gun
Contractor: American Locomotive Company - USA
Country of Origin: United States
Initial Year of Service: 1942

The M-7 Priest was the principle mobile artillery system for the allies in World War 2. The British maintained their own versions of the vehicle (until the Sextons became available) and saw first combat with the weapons system in Egypt of the North African campaign against Rommel. M7 Priests were based on the successful and highly produced M4 Sherman and M3 Stuart chassis. Some models would later utilize the M24 Light Tank chassis.

Common practice among the British Royal Army and US Marines in the Pacific (most notably in Okinawa) was to have the 105mm howitzer removed in favor of utilizing the M7 as a 22-infantry armored personnel carrier. Some British variants also decreased the projectile count by 22 (20 infantry + 2 crew) in favor of adding a radio in the cab.

The crew of seven was exposed from the top to enemy fire as the system featured an open top observation area. The crew was also completely exposed to the elements. The 105mm main gun had a limited side-to-side arc of fire, forcing the entire to system to be pointed in the needed fire arc.

By late 1943, the M7B1 was the standard model, upgraded to the M37 model standard in early 1945. The M7 Priest received the nickname of 'Priest' because of the pulpit-style drum cupola. Nearly 3,000 systems were built during the course of the war.

Specifications: M7 Priest
Structure:
Accommodation: 7
Power:
Engine(s): 1 x Continental R975C1 9 radial engine generating 350 hp at 2,400 rpm.

Armament:
1 x 105mm main gun
1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun

Ammunition:
69 x 105mm projectiles
300 x 12.7mm ammunition