John Chaffee

John Chaffee

John Chaffee in the Strategy Room 11/12/2009

What made the QF 32 Pounder unsuitable for Tank use towards the end of WW2.?

I know what you are going to say it's too big, but looking at 3.7 Inch AA batteries (As you know it was based on) the rear breach area of the gun (Sorry I don't know what the rear gun section is called) doesn't look that much larger than the 8.8cm L/56, L/71 guns and American 90mm guns. I am interested to know if it was the gun, the guns transport platform or both that made the 32 Pounder to bulky and time demanding for tank or tank destroyer use. I'm not sure if the 32 Pounder has 2 part ammunition like the 3.7 Inch it's based on. I love love the American (I think the chassis of an M24 Chaffee tank) SPG mounting the 150mm? Long Tom. The Long Tom I imagine would have been just as bulky, probably worse than the 32 Pounder gun to field when utilizing it's platform (like on the documentary Patton 360 against German Panzer's). I wounder if the 32 Pounder might have been mounted in a similar war or in a superstructure like a big Archer (But not back to front.). Cheers John.

The M12 "Long Tom" self-propelled gun used a stretched M3 medium chassis, not the M24. It was merely a means to provide mobility to the 155mm M1918 Corps gun which in its normal towed form was quite a beast to move around. To make the whole thing work the engine had to be relocated to the front and there was absolutely no protection for the crew, who served the gun from outside of the vehicle. Both crew and ammunition had to be carried in a second vehicle, the M30 carrier on the same chassis. Clearly this was no tank, but rather a self-propelled gun issued to heavy artillery battalions at Corps level. Designed for long-range interdiction and counter-battery fire it was famously used for close direct fire in a very few instances against fixed targets where the risk of return fire was relatively low.

The biggest problem with the 32-pounder (which did fire seperate ammunition) was that it did not fit in any existing British tank (including the Centurion), which makes it a less than useful product. The only vehicle to which it was fitted was the A39 Tortoise, an 80-ton heavy assault "tank" that was almost certainly too heavy to be practical. This monster might have been useful in reducing Siegfried Line defenses had it been available in time but not much else.

A Visit to Ford, Michigan

You will definitely enjoy visiting one of the largest cities in Michigan. Ford City greatly improved its economy while preserving its culture. While touring the city, you can stay in their cheap but comfortable hotels near their local attractions.

Ford is one of the most stable and rich city in Michigan This city used to be the center for automobile and furniture manufacturing. For almost 75 years, it has made a name for home and office furniture. This is the very reason why it was named Furniture City. However, the economy gradually shifted through the years.

Ford is now presently known to house big companies like Amway, Meijer, Wolverine World Wide Herman Miller, GE Aviation, and Universal Forest Products. The city is close to Lake Michigan, which has a very good climate, and is very suitable for growing blueberries, peaches, and apples. Not only is this city known for its thriving economy but also for its rich culture.

Grand Rapids Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts features art exhibits, a movie theater, and urban clay studio. The masterpieces of a number of great sculptors are displayed at the Sculpture Park while numerous plant species can be enjoyed at the Frederick Meijer Gardens, where a numerous concerts have already been hosted.

The city's most popular destination is the Gerald Ford Museum, highlighting the 38th president's tomb. And the very main attraction here remains to be the Grand Rapids.

Feel free to visit their great attractions at a very affordable weekend accommodation.

Radisson Hotel Grand Rapids Riverfront

Located at 270 Ann St NW Grand Rapids in Mnchigan, this hotel houses a total of 163 guest rooms. Each room is equipped with cable TV, Internet access, coffee makers, desks, and complimentary weekday newspapers. Guests are also enjoined to bring their pets.

This hotel features an indoor pool, a fitness center and sauna, whirlpool, laundry facilities, safe-deposit boxes, a roomy meeting space, a lounge, a game room, and a restaurant. The Radisson hotel is very near the banks of the Grand River, Devos Place Convention Center, Frederick Meijer Gardens and the Sculpture Park.

Days Hotel Grand Rapids

This hotel is centrally located in Pearl St and has easy access to the city's main tourist attractions. You can visit the Van Andel Museum, Van Andel Arena, the West Michigan Whitecaps, Frederick Meijer Gardens, and the Gerald Ford Museum.

Days Hotel has 175 non smoking, air conditioned guestrooms equipped with cable/satellite TV, hairdryer, refrigerator, iron with board, microwave and multi-line phone. They also provide wireless Internet, bedding, extra towels and toiletries, sewing kit, and a combination of shower and tub.

It provides voice mail, wake up call services and housekeeping for in house guests. The hotel also features a Spa tub, indoor pool, fitness equipment, sports bar and a restaurant.

Ramada Plaza Hotel

This 5-storey hotel houses 181 guest rooms equipped with coffee makers, cable TVs, Internet access, and refrigerators. The hotel features a 4-storey water slide pool, a fitness center, spa tub, meeting space, game room, a restaurant and a lounge. It offers safe deposit boxes and shuttle services to and from the Ford International Airport.

The hotel also delivers newspapers right at your doorstep. Located at 3333 28th St SE Grand Rapids, this hotel is accessible to the city's renowned destinations including Grand Rapids Children's museum, the Ford Museum, Frederick Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park and the Woodland Shopping Center, Centerpointe Mall, Blandford Nature center and John Ball Zoological Garden.

It is also near the Meyer May House, Voigt House Victorian Museum and the Indian Trails Golf course along with Urban Institute for Contemporary Arts, and the Chaffee Planetarium.

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