Description

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The US M7 self-propelled 105mm Howitzer was originally developed on the basis of an M3 medium tank chassis. Nicknamed the Priest because of its pulpit-like anti-aircraft ring, the vehicle was intended to provide armored units with organic, highly mobile artillery support. Production began in April 1942 and it first went into combat with British at the Second Battle of El-Alamein in the autumn of that year, with US forces first taking the vehicle into engagements in Tunisia somewhat later. M4 Sherman tank parts were incorporated into later Priests, in place of the earlier M3 tank components, and late models (those built during 1944 and after) also featured fold-down armor along the sides and rear of the fighting compartment.