The 4th Marine Tank Battalion was formed on May 12, 1943 at Camp Pendleton, California. With the exception of 2 officers, the entire battalion consisted of reservists and it was the first unit to capture Japanese held territory in the Pacific. The 4th MTB participated in battles on Kwajalein, Saipan and their last major operation Iwo Jima. On January 31, 1944 during the Battle of Kwajalein the 4th Marine Division captured the small islands code named Ivan, Jacob, Albert, Allen and Abraham before landing on Roi-Namur on February 1st. M5A1 “Hothead” of the 4th MTB Company Alpha helped the US forces capture the island by February 4, 1944. Of the 3,500 Japanese defenders only 51 survived.
Specifications :
Number Produced 1942 to 1944: 6,810
Crew: 4 / Commander, Gunner, Driver, Co-Driver
Performance
Powerplant : 2 x Cadillac Series 42 V-8 water-cooled engines, 110 hp per engine
Fuel Capacity : approximately 85 U.S. Gallons
Maximum Speed: 37 mph
Range: 100 miles
Turning Radius: 21 ft
Weight : 16.8 ton
Dimensions:
Length : 14 ft 3 in
Width : 7 ft 6 in
Height : 8 ft 5 in
Armament 1 x 37 mm M6 main gun with 147 rounds
M6 ammunition – M51B1 and M51B2 A.P.C. (Armor Piercing Capped), M74 A.P. (Armor Piercing), M63 H.E. (High Explosive)
1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) M1919A5 coaxial machine gun
1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) bow M1919A4 machine gun
Originally 1 x 7.62 mm (.30 caliber) cupola mounted M1919A4 machine gun upgraded in the field to 12.7 mm (.50 caliber) machine gun with 6,500 machine gun rounds