In the aftermath of World War 2, the landscape of armored warfare underwent a seismic shift.
The United States, recognizing the evolving threats, especially from the formidable Soviet
IS-3 heavy tanks, embarked on a mission to redefine its armored capabilities.
The post-war period marked the end of the era of steel, giving rise to a new generation of tanks.
The M48 Patton emerged as a symbol of this transformation.
Designed to replace its predecessors like the M26 Pershing and M46 Patton,
the M48 was more than just a tank; it was America's answer to the challenges
of modern warfare, and it would become the US’s main battle tank in the Vietnam War.
Concealed beneath its formidable exterior was armor plating as thick as 120 millimeters,
affording its crew unparalleled protection. Its offensive capabilities were equally impressive,
boasting a powerful 90-millimeter main gun,
complemented by coaxially mounted machine guns and turret-mounted armaments.
Vietnam's jungles and urban terrains bore witness to the tank's prowess.
In one unforgettable engagement during the 1968 Battle of Hue,
the M48 took a direct hit, an epic moment inadvertently captured on film…
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The Invisible Tank
After World War 2, the United States Ordnance Tank-Automotive Command,
OTAC, slowed down or canceled many tank development programs. By the beginning of
the next decade, they changed the designation system of the vehicles in the US military;
instead of using weight designations such as light and heavy, they started
using the caliber of the gun as the new designation would be more appropriate.
The M47 Patton, produced in 1951, faced technical and production problems,
preventing its use in the Korean War. As a result, older tank models like the M26
Pershing and M46 Patton were deployed in its place. But it was necessary to replace these
aging tanks - if they were to catch up with the Soviet Union in terms of quality and quantity.
During the Korean War, the US Army launched several design projects.
To expedite the process, testing and development were done simultaneously with production.
However, this haste led to some details falling through the cracks.
General Bruce C. Clarke highlighted the challenges of finding a compromise as they sought a fast,
highly mobile, well-armored, lightweight tank. It had to dominate all kinds of terrains and should
swim as easily as it could climb hills. Likewise, it had to be air-transportable.
In technical terms, it had to have a simple yet powerful engine, requiring little maintenance
but still capable of a considerable operating range of hundreds of miles.
On top of that, the General comically remarked: (QUOTE) "We would also like it to be invisible."
No Stone Unturned
In a bid to boost the M47 Patton tank's performance, the T48 project was launched.
Its goal was to enhance the tank's turret and install a more potent gasoline engine.
The initiative began in May 1950, producing scaled-down turret models featuring the T119
90-millimeter main gun of the M47 Patton. Approved by the Army in December, Chrysler Defense secured
a contract for advanced production design and engineering of a 90-millimeter-armed tank.
The T48's hull underwent significant modifications. The driver's station
was relocated to the front center, making way for increased main gun ammunition storage by
removing the bow-mounted machine gun. They added a front glacis for improved ballistic protection,
and traditional lever steering was swapped for an aircraft-style steering wheel.
The power pack comprised a Continental AV-1790-5B gasoline engine, generating
704 brake horsepower, connected to an Allison CD-850-4A cross-drive transmission.
Several T48 prototypes emerged, with Chrysler Engineering crafting the initial model in December
1951 for tests at the OTAC Detroit Arsenal Test Center. Ultimately, six prototypes were built.
With the onset of the Korean War, production and design refinement were accelerated,
culminating in the renaming of the tank as the 90-millimeter Gun Tank M48.
Though T48 testing continued until late 1955, the Soviet threat in Europe and the
ongoing Korean War spurred the Army to fast-track T48 tank production,
aiming for around 9,000 M48s within three years. Despite the haste, ongoing evaluations ensured
the swift incorporation of necessary design changes into the M48 series production vehicles.
Distinct T48 prototypes sported varying features in armament, hatch designs,
and experimental elements such as silica glass composite armor panels.
This experimentation proved pivotal in shaping the development of the M48 series tanks.
Turning The Corner
The T48 tank project marked a leap forward in tank technology, shaping the future of armored warfare.
As conventional steel armor struggled to withstand potent new weapons and kinetic energy penetrators,
a breakthrough emerged: composite applique armor panels made from fused silica glass.
These panels affixed to the tank's hull and turret,
provided much-needed protection without adding excessive weight.
The hull design evolved throughout the M48 series,
with innovations such as a wedge-shaped front glacis and streamlined suspension systems.
To enhance accuracy, a sophisticated fire control system, FCS, resembling naval gunnery setups,
was incorporated. This FCS included a rangefinder, mechanical ballistic computer,
ballistic drive, and gunner's sight, enabling precise long-range target engagement.
Advancements extended to the main gun as well. Initial attempts at an autoloader system were
hindered by space constraints and alignment problems. Instead, the upgraded 90-millimeter
T139 gun was adopted, simplifying barrel changes and reducing weight compared to its precursor.
A remote-controlled machine gun mount for the tank commander introduced a new challenge,
requiring exposure to reload. The remedy came in the form of a protected cupola,
enabling the commander to operate the machine gun while under armor cover. Though
early cupolas lacked optimal vision devices, ongoing development led to a superior design.
Destined For Greatness
In the early 1950s, Chrysler started building the Newark Tank Plant in
Delaware to produce the M48 tank. To meet the urgent demand for tanks,
production contracts were also given to General Motors Fisher Body Division and
Ford Motor Company in Michigan, as well as the American Locomotive Company in New York.
The M48 tank had different variations depending on the manufacturer. It featured a gasoline-powered
engine and had a cruising range of about 70 miles. The suspension system used a torsion bar and had
six roadwheel pairs. Generally speaking, the M48 was an improvement over its predecessors.
The M48's turret had a redesigned gun shield and standard pop-up hatch for the commander's station.
It was equipped with a .50 caliber machine gun and various optical range finders. However, the early
production of M48 tanks faced several problems, including engine and transmission issues,
track and suspension problems, and fragility in some components like the rangefinder.
Due to these initial shortcomings, the tanks were not considered suitable for combat use
in Europe and were limited to use by US Army Continental United States units until the issues
were addressed. Some tanks were designated for non-ballistic training use at Fort Knox.
Despite the early challenges, the M48 tank marked a significant development in armored
warfare and became a crucial asset for the US military, especially during Vietnam.
Pulling The Pin
During the Vietnam War, the US military extensively employed the M48 Patton tank,
deploying over 600 units throughout the conflict. These tanks were initially
introduced in 1965 and allocated to the US Marine 1st and 3rd Tank Battalions,
along with the 5th Marine Tank Battalion as a supplementary unit. The remaining M48 tanks were
divided among three US Army battalions: the 1-77th Armor, the 1-69th Armor, and the 2-34th Armor.
In terms of armament, the primary ammunition types for the M48's main gun during the Vietnam War
were Canister and High Explosive rounds. While the Beehive round demonstrated effectiveness,
its availability was often limited. White Phosphorous rounds proved valuable but
carried inherent risks due to their potential to ignite when exposed to impacts from mines or RPGs.
Consequently, tank crews tended to expend WP rounds as soon as they could find an opportunity.
High Explosive Anti-Tank rounds gained temporary popularity
following engagements with NVA tanks at Bien Het. However, as a general rule,
High Explosive rounds remained the preferred choice, especially when engaging bunkers.
As for defense, the Vietnam War posed a consistent threat from Rocket Propelled
Grenades or RPGs, prompting innovative defensive measures for the M48 tanks.
To mitigate this danger, the tanks were outfitted with various defensive enhancements such as
Pierced Steel Plank, chain link fences, and spare track blocks mounted on the fenders.
Additionally, the tanks' configurations were modified, with the extension of the bustle
rack using welded steel. The turret sides were fortified by incorporating additional .50 caliber
ammunition, cases of C-rations, and personal belongings of the crew. The C-ration cases,
akin to the Pierced Steel Plank and track blocks, served as a protective barrier.
By strategically placing these cases on the turret's infantry rail, the tanks aimed to
trigger premature explosions of incoming RPGs upon impact with the C-ration cases.
This design approach exploited the RPGs' requirement for a specific distance to
function effectively, thereby redirecting the blast's force away from the tank's armor.
The choice to utilize C-rations cases as a protective buffer was influenced not only
by their tactical advantage but also by the scarcity of storage space within the vehicle,
which was predominantly occupied by ammunition.
Just A Scratch
On January 31, 1968, in the early morning, a large group of soldiers from the North Vietnamese Army,
PAVN, and the Viet Cong launched a coordinated attack on the city of Hue.
They aimed to capture the Mang Ca Garrison, the Tay Loc Airfield, and the Imperial Palace.
The attack began when PAVN soldiers disguised as South Vietnamese ARVN soldiers infiltrated the
city and opened the Chanh Tay gate, allowing more PAVN and Viet Cong forces to enter.
The PAVN and Viet Cong soldiers faced resistance from the ARVN and US forces in the city.
Intense fighting ensued as the attackers tried to seize strategic locations,
such as the airfield and key buildings. The ensuing battle witnessed firefights as the
PAVN launched rockets and mortars into the city. However, they encountered difficulties
in penetrating some defenses, like the Mang Ca compound and the MACV Compound.
As the fight for the city raged, a film crew got an example of the M48's sturdiness on tape.
As the tank advanced through the urban environment in search of the enemy,
it suddenly took a direct hit from an RPG - and had nothing but an indent to show for it.
In the heat of battle, the PAVN and Viet Cong forces encountered challenges due
to the defensive efforts of the ARVN and US troops. The attackers made tactical mistakes
by adopting a defensive stance instead of maintaining their attack. This allowed
the defenders to bring in reinforcements, which eventually helped clear the city of the attackers.
After hours of intense fighting, the PAVN and Viet Cong managed to capture the Citadel, a
significant historical and strategic site in Hue, raising a liberation flag over the flag tower.
Despite their initial successes, their inability
to keep up the momentum and seize crucial objectives ultimately led to their defeat,
as reinforcements from the ARVN and US forces shifted the balance of the battle.
The Test Of Time
The M48A1 faced off against Soviet T-54 tanks at Checkpoint Charlie in Berlin in 1961.
Although it had mechanical problems and limited range, it was considered an equal to the T-54.
The type was used in Europe with different versions like M48A2 and M48A3, featuring
better engines and firepower. In turn, the M48A5 was the last upgrade, with a new gun and improved
750-horsepower engine. The export version, called E48, included changes for foreign needs.
Many M48A3 Pattons were given to the ARVN, forming the 20th Tank Regiment. During the 1972 Easter
Offensive, ARVN M48/M41 tanks clashed with North Vietnamese T-54/PT-76 tanks, suffering losses
due to new anti-tank missiles. But by May of that year, the 20th Tank Regiment lost all its tanks.
M48s were good in infantry support but had few tank battles. In the 1975 Spring Offensive, South
Vietnamese M48s and M41s defeated North Vietnamese T-34 and T-55 tanks. However, fuel and ammo
shortages from US funding bans led to abandoned tanks captured by the North after the war.
Moreover, M48s and Australian Centurions were the only anti-communist vehicles in
Vietnam to protect crews from landmines. They cleared mines on Highway 19 using a
"Thunder Run" method, with M48s racing to clear mines quickly.
Around 321 M48 tanks went to South Vietnam,
and 343 M48s reached ARVN by March 1975; all were destroyed or captured.
The US lost 123 M48 tanks, causing a total loss of about 500 M48 tanks for the US and South Vietnam.
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