
The towed nature of the rather heavy 57 mm also restricted its usage as it prevents the crew from being able to move the gun quickly in the close fighting of the bocage terrain. The lack of other ammunition types for the gun was prevalent, as it hinders the gun's ability to support infantry when attacking fortifications. It was not until the Normandy campaign that the 57 mm M1 saw more widespread usage, even among the Airborne after the British designed a light-weight variant to fit into gliders. The 57 mm M1 first saw usage in the Italian campaign, serving alongside its preceding 37 mm counterpart due to the ongoing transition in equipment in 1943. US soldiers set up a 57 mm M1 gun in Saint-Malo intramuros. Though attempts were made to design and produce a high-explosive and cannister round, they came too late for significant use in the European Theater of Operations (ETO).

As such, rounds such as high-explosive and cannister that were available for the 37 mm were not yet designed, forcing American units to acquire high-explosive rounds from British stockpile. However, the rushed adoption of the weapon also presented problems as the production lines only produced armour-piercing ammunition. It was not until US experience in North Africa that showed the desperate need of better anti-tank power that the 57 mm was begrudgingly accepted into service in the Spring of 1943. As such, the Infantry, Airborne, and Cavalry all initially rejected it. Most complaints stem from its weight increase, from the 910 lb. ĭespite its improved performance, the 57 mm M1 was not eagerly taken by the US forces. Its production would last from 1942 to 1945, with a total of 15,637 units produced. However, the weapon was not adopted by US forces, only classified a substitute standard by late 1941 with intentions of providing the weapon in Lend-Lease. With these design changes, the American-produced 6-pounder were designated as the 57 mm gun M1. The United States, with no such limitations, restored the longer barrel design. The most significant was the barrel length, as the British 6-pdr Mk.II cannon featured a shorter barrel length than the Mk.I due to limited production capability in Britain for the long barrel. Ī British anti-tank gun crew and their 6-pdr gun in the Western Desert.Ĭhanges were made to the design to suit American manufacture.

The British assisted by providing two 6-pdr Mk.II anti-tank cannons for reference. Plans to produce a more powerful gun came in February 1941, when the Chief of Ordnance ordered the British 6-pounder to begin manufacture in America. However, this cannon was deemed not adequate against the trend of improving tank armour.
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Tell us about the tactical and technical characteristics of the cannon or machine gun.

Firing a small-diametre round at high velocity, the 57 mm M1 offers good close-range penetration values, but suffers at long-range combat. The 57 mm M1 is an American anti-tank cannon derived from the British 6-pounder cannon.
