I need held to ID US equipment from Utah Beach, Normandy

[Peter Jørgensen]

Hello.

I need help to identify these items found on Utah Beach, Normandy.

Does anyone know what it is? ...and which vehicle (probably US), ship, weapon etc. it originates from?

Thank you very much for your help!

Peter.

[geahanse]

What you have is a small wheel from an M3A1 Half Track which is used to spin the rear track of the vehicle. There were for of them on each side. Not sure where this was found from the D-Day landings but it was common for Half Track crews to carry extra spare wheels because often times they would need to be replaced from either damage from the terrain or from enemy fire. I have included artwork of such a half track as well as a close up photo. It is obviously a tank tread wheel and having an outer diameter of only 112 mm or 4.4 in, makes it very small for a tank wheel. Notice how there are 4 holes for the lugnuts to go through. You can also see those 4 holes in both the close up of the diagram and the photo. What may have happened is one of the spares fell off, was misplaced or either or.

The other item you have looks to be some sort of tie used in suspensions of tanks and other vehicles but I could not say for sure what exactly it is.

I hope this helps

-Sean

[Clive Mortimore]

Hi Geahanse

I think you will find what you have labled as spares were anti tank mines.

Yours

Clive

[geahanse]

AFV 's in World War II carried spare wheels, tracks, and sprockets on both allies and axis, commonly stowed along the sides, rear and even underneath the carriage. But yes they also carried helmet, canvas packs, and anti tank mines but I have books outlining the use of spare wheels and sprockets along the sides of the passenger and gun carriages of half tracks leading me to believe they're spares

[StefanSiverud]

It looks like piece of a hand crank hoist or winch and a rubber strap end. What makes you think they are from WW2, except for the location they were found?

It might be, but it's just as likely they are from a French trawler.

[LineDoggie]

AFV 's in World War II carried spare wheels, tracks, and sprockets on both allies and axis, commonly stowed along the sides, rear and even underneath the carriage. But yes they also carried helmet, canvas packs, and anti tank mines but I have books outlining the use of spare wheels and sprockets along the sides of the passenger and gun carriages of half tracks leading me to believe they're spares

But there not, those are M1 or M4 Anti Tank Mines, and the racks were specifically for carrying M1/M4 Anti Tank Mines.