The M56 Scorpion and M50 Ontos were light weight air-portable Anti-Tank Self-Propelled gun vehicles designed and built in the 1950s. They entered service with the US Army and the US Marines. Too late for the Korean War, both were first used in combat in 1965 and were used in roles that they were not intended for.  M56 Scorpion The M56 Scorpion Self-Propelled Anti-Tank (SPAT) gun carriage was manufactured by the Cadillac Motor Car Division of General Motors. It was the US equivalent of the Soviet airborne self-propelled mount ASU-85. From 1953 to 1959, 325 were built. The US Army accepted the M56 in December 1957. The US 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions fielded and trained with the M56 Scorpion but these divisions did not use it in combat.  Specifications: Weight: 15,750 pounds (7144 kg) It had infrared driving lights and it was not amphibious. The main armament was the 90mm M54 Gun with a 5mm armor gun shield. It carried 29 rounds onboard stored beneath the gun's breach block. The gun transverse was 60° (30° left and right, manually). The elevation was +15° to -10° (manually). It had a crew of four. The crew seats from top to bottom are the Commander's seat on top of the radio on the left side fender, the Driver's seat (with steering wheel in front of the seat), the Gunner's seat (with gun telescope M91D which had x4 or x8 magnification), and the Loader's seat on top of the right fender stowage box.  The M56 featured a unique track and suspension.  The track was light weight and rubber connected with metal grousers. It had a torsion bar suspension, connected to all wheels, including the drive wheel and idler to assist with recoil stresses. The road wheels were pneumatic with 7.5×12 tires. Pneumatic rubber road wheels were chosen because they are much lighter compared to standard solid-steel wheels. Recommended tire pressure was 75 psi (5.2 bar), but the tires could run flat up to 15 miles (24 km) at up to 15 mph (24 kph). This photo of the M56 demonstrates the effect of the recoil of its 90mm gun firing an anti-tank round.  Due to the vehicle's light weight, the force of the recoil was amplified to the extent that the front of vehicle would jump almost 3 feet (0.9144 meters) off the ground. Firing with the gun straight forward was not a problem, except for the heavy recoil. If the tank attempted to engage a target to the extreme left or right of the gun’s traverse, it could injure either the driver, commander or the gunner himself. The manual recommended that all unnecessary crew men are to dismount from the vehicle when the 90mm gun is fired. A M56 Scorpion fully rigged for an air drop, with the cargo parachutes grouped on an expandable rack on the rear. The production M56 met the specifications of the airborne divisions, to be air deliverable in the initial assault phase.  A M56 scorpion of the US 82nd Airborne Division landed by parachutes is being readied for action by the crew as part of a parachute assault training operation. Overhead, USAF Fairchild C-119 Flying Boxcar transports are dropping paratroopers and M56s, each rigged with six G-11 cargo parachutes of 100 feet (30.48 meters) diameter each. The risers of the six parachutes are usually gathered together by a special ring about 15 feet (4.57 meters) above the M56. For safety reasons, the crew members jump separately.  Film: Cañon antitanque de 90mm M56 Scorpion (US Army) On 14 August 1958 at Fort Benning, a Sikorsky H-37A Mojave, s/n 55-0611, heavy-lift helicopter lifts a M56 prototype in which the 90mm gun was replaced by a single 106mm recoilless rifle. This M56 conversion was not approved probably since the same weapon was already mounted on M38A1C Jeeps and M274 Mules.  Video: TAB Episode 73: M56 Scorpion - Lightweight Self-Propelled Gun Video: M56 Scorpion - American Airborne Tank Destroyer 16th ArmorIn 1963, the 16th Cavalry Group was re-designated as the 16th Armor. D Company, 16th Armor was the only active duty unit of the 16th Armored Group at the time. Initially, Company D consisted of four platoons: a HQ Platoon with four M113 APCs and three Tank Platoons, each equipped with six M56 SPATs (a total of 18). Company D/16th Armor was the only airborne tank unit at the time and the only combat unit equipped with the M56 Scorpion. It was also the only separate tank company in the history of the US Army. Company D/16th Armor shield  The regiment was constituted in 1916 and was organized with personnel from the 3d, 6th and 14th Cavalry which are shown on the canton. Green was the color of the facings of the Mounted Rifles, now the 3rd Cavalry; the embattled partition line commemorates the first engagement of the 6th Cavalry when it assaulted Confederate artillery in earthworks at Fort Magruder near Williamsburg, Civil War, 5 May 1862. The shield is yellow, the Cavalry color; the blue chevron is for the old blue uniform, the 16 stars indicate the numerical designation of the unit. Attached below the shield is a gold scroll inscribed with the unit's motto "STRIKE HARD" in black capital letters. A number of changes came during the unit's preparation for deployment to Vietnam. When the company was on “lock-down” preparing to depart Okinawa, the 2nd and 3rd tank platoons replaced their M56 SPATs with M113 APCs. This change was done because the M113 had been used with some effectiveness by the South Vietnamese Army for several years. There were also doubts about the performance of the M56 SPAT in Vietnam's jungle environment and there was no enemy armor threat in Vietnam at that time. There is no information on what happened to the 12 M56s left in Okinawa. M56s in VietnamThe US 173rd Airborne Brigade (Separate) "Sky Soldiers", arrived in South Vietnam on 7 May 1965 at Bien Hoa Air Base. The brigade consisted of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 503rd Infantry Regiment, 3/319th Artillery, Troop E/17th Cavalry, and Company D/16th Armor. After the brigade's arrival in country, the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (1RAR), the Royal New Zealand artillery's 161st Field Battery (105mm L5 pack howitzers) and M113 APCs of the 1st Armoured Personnel Carrier Troop, Royal Australian Armoured Corps (RAAC), were attached to the brigade for a one year tour. Also a fourth platoon was added to Company D/16th Armor which was equipped with four M106 4.2 inch (106.7mm) mortar carriers (a modified M113). The 173rd Airborne Brigade was the first major US Army unit deployed to Vietnam and it was also the only multi-national combat unit which fought in the Vietnam War. In Vietnam, Company D/16th Armor performed all manner of tasks and missions which include search and destroy missions, road and fire base security, clearing and securing landing zones, and support other elements of the 173rd as well as South Vietnamese (ARVN) units. It served effectively as a mechanized maneuver element for the 173rd brigade. The M56 SPATs were used as direct fire support for the rest of the company, including some used on route patrols and reconnaissance. At times, the 90mm canister ammunition was effective against enemy troops and to clear paths through bamboo groves and thick jungles. The registration numbers for only 4 of the 6 M56s that seen combat in Vietnam are identified in the known photos. They are 12L474, 12L536, 12L542, and 12L551. Three M56s of 1st platoon, D/16 Armor halted in a field to coordinate and await resupply. The Jerry can on the fender of the closest M56 has "1/503" painted on it indicating the 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment. Note the spare road wheel on the front right fender.  A M56 SPAT driving pass US paratroopers resting on the side of the road. Note the farm house in the background.  This is my close up of the M56 in the above photo. The registration number is 12L474 and on the left front fender is "16 ARM" over "D-12". On the top of the right side of the gun shield is "DALLAS" (Texas) painted in white with a large star below it (obscured by the gun barrel). Note the spare road wheel on the front right fender and the wiper blade over the driver's wind shield on the gun shield.  M56s and M113 APCs in positions along a road. The meaning of the white band on 90mm gun barrel is unknown. White bands are not seen on the gun barrel of M56s in any of the other photos.  This is my close up of the M56's left front fender in the above photo. It shows that the M56 is the 6th vehicle of the 1st Platoon. Most sources state that the Company D/16th Armor tank platoons each had five M56s.  This is my close up of the soldier walking on the road in the above photo. He is wearing an Australian slouch hat and probably carrying an Owen sub-machine gun. He most likely belonged to the 1RAR.  Australian M113 APCs (1RAR or 5RAR) and a M56 Scorpion of D/16th Armor sweep through an area during Operation Hardihood on 22 May 1966.  A M56 of D/16th Armor firing at the Viet Cong (VC) during Operation Hardihood in early June 1966.  The crewman in the foreground is the driver of the M56 with the radio antenna behind his left elbow. In the background is another M56 in the platoon. The photographer must had taken this photo standing on the Gunner's seat of the M56 leaning over the 90mm gun.  This is the left side of M56, registration number 12L536. From left to right is the driver, commander, and the Loader. Note the large metal ammo boxes on the rear fender. This M56 and the M56 in the foreground of the above photo might be the same M56. The M56 driver in both photos is wearing a watch on his left arm and is holding the upper left corner of the gun shield.  This M56 SPAT has fired at a suspected VC position in June 1966. The recoil motion of the 90mm gun on the M56 extends back as much as 48 inches (121.92 cm). The gunner is trying to see the result of his shot while the others are observing. The breach has not opened yet to eject the spent shell casing. Firing HE and canister rounds made a lesser recoil compared to the more powerful HEAT anti-tank rounds. Note the registration number 12L536 on the hull side.  M56 SPAT, registration number 12L542, is passing a M113 APC. The gunner is sitting in his seat and his head is turned looking towards the camera.  A M56 SPAT firing canister rounds at the enemy during an ambush. The M56 commander is pointing to the enemy. In the foreground is a 173rd AB Military Police M151 MUTT with troopers taking cover beside it.  This is a rear view of the M56 SPAT showing the 29 ammo storage tubes below the gun breach. The tubes were arranged in 3 stacked rows, 2 rows of 10 and the middle row has 9. Note the red fire extinguisher behind and to the right of the gunner. The M56 commander is standing on the ground to the left searching for targets. The top of the driver's helmet can be seen to the left of the loader's head.  This is my close up of the right rear fender in the above photo. The company code is "D-15".  Sergeant Wilson Truman Gerald of Orrum, North Carolina, posing on a M56 in a camp or base. The registration number is 12L551 and company code is D-15. Sadly, Gerald was fatally wounded on 17 May 1967 (aged 22) in the Hua Nghia province when returning from a combat mission the M113 APC which he was riding in ran over a large explosive device.  The M56 SPATs were difficult to operate and maintain (lack of spare parts) in Vietnam and eventually they were relegated to base security and perimeter defense. By 22 August 1966, the remaining M56s of D/16th Armor were replaced with M113 APCs and the mortar platoon was deactivated in early 1967. From early 1967 on, the company had three line platoons equipped with M113 APCs and eventually, they received the diesel engine version, the M113A1. Moroccan M56sThe Royal Moroccan Army received 87 M56 Scorpions in 1966-1967. Little is known about their service record apart from being used in a few short scenes in a film. "La poudre d'escampette" ("The powder of escape") is an 1971 French/Italian comedy drama directed by Philippe de Broca. It was filmed from 7 December 1970 to 4 March 1971 in Morocco, notably in Essaouira (Morocco west coast southwest of Safi) and in Erfoud (east of Essaouira near the Algerian border). Film Synopsis: In the USA, this film is titled "Touch and Go" 1971. Actor Michael York spoke French in most of the film. In the film, the M56 Scorpions portrayed British tanks and German panzers were portrayed by Moroccan Army T-54s. In this scene, the M56s fired at the retreating Germans. The front end of these M56s jumped up when they fired.  Sources state that the soldiers are the Moroccan Army attacking the buildings. But this scene in the film, it is British forces attacking while German artillery was dropping shells all around them. The three running soldiers in the foreground are wearing British WWII steel helmets.  In another scene in the film, this M56 speeds past the camera during the British attack. The M56 commander on the left side is wearing a black beret while the gunner and loader on the right side are wearing British WWII steel helmets.  Some sources state that the Moroccans used the M56s during the Western Sahara War (1975 to 1991) against the POLISARIO, an Algerian backed rebel national liberation movement seeking the independence of Western Sahara from Morocco. During that war, the Moroccan Army was equipped with Soviet-built T-54 tanks (100mm gun), Austrian-built SK-105 Kürassier light tanks (105mm gun) and French-built Panhard AML-90 Armored Cars (90mm gun). If the Moroccans did used the old M56s during the Western Sahara War, they probably had been used as self-propelled artillery. This photo shows the 90mm gun rotated to the right.  M50 Ontos The M50 was designed and manufactured by Allis-Chalmers. It was named the "Ontos" which is Greek for "thing". In English, the plural is still Ontos. Example: One deer, several deer, one Ontos, several Ontos. The running gear of the Allis-Chalmer first prototype, the T164, completed in 1952, was the same used on the M56 Scorpion light anti-tank vehicle. It mounted a cast steel turret with two arms holding two M40 106mm recoilless rifles each (4 total). This early model could traverse the turret only about 15 degrees. The second prototype, the T165, had a newly designed suspension system, new tracks, a newer turret with about 40 degrees traverse and two arms holding three M40 106mm recoilless rifles each (6 total). The Ontos used the General Motors Model 302 145 hp (108 kW) six-cylinder engine then widely used in the US Army GMC trucks.  Specifications: The M40 106mm recoilless rifles were actually 105mm in caliber, but designated as 106mm to prevent ammunition confusion with other weapons of 105mm caliber. Only 18 rounds for the 106mm rifles are carried inside the vehicle due to its limited space. Four of the recoilless rifles also had a .50 caliber M8C spotting rifle attached which fired a tracer round with the same trajectory as the 106mm round giving off a flash and a puff of white smoke on impact. The spotting rifles were used to line up the 106mm recoilless rifles with the target. The Ontos also carried a single .30 caliber (7.62 mm) M1919A4 machine gun for antipersonnel use. The recoilless rifles can also be used in the antipersonnel role by firing antipersonnel-tracer flechette rounds (APERS-T). Two of the six rifles could be easily be removed from the Ontos and be used from a ground mount if necessary. This M50 is firing only two of its 106mm recoilless rifles at night. It demonstrates the power and effect of the recoilless rifle's back blast.  As an anti-tank vehicle, the Ontos had several problems: a small ammunition load, a very high profile for such a small vehicle, and the need for the crew to exit the vehicle in order to reload the guns, exposing them to enemy fire. The US Army tested the M50 and did not approved it for these reasons. Although the US Army had canceled its order, the US Marine Corps was desperate for any anti-tank vehicles it could get. Production ran from 1955 to 1957. The US Marine Corps accepted its first Ontos on 31 October 1956 and received 297 of them. Only one Ontos upgrade was implemented, the M50A1, which replaced the original GM six cylinder engine with a Chrysler Model 75-M2 180 hp (130 kW) 361 cu in (5.92 L) V8 engine. Of the 297 vehicles initially accepted by the Marines, only 176 were upgraded between 1963 and 1965 to the M50A1 standard. The required modifications to the cooling vents and covers on the glacis for the engine upgrade are illustrated in this drawing. One can only see the difference when viewing the front hull close up and when it is not completely covered with lengths of spare tracks, spare road wheels, Jerry cans or ration boxes.  Video: The Multi-Gun Beast that Saved Marines from Total Annihilation Vietnam 1965On 8 March 1965, two battalions, 1400 Marines of the US 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade began to land on beaches near Da Nang. The arrival of the US Marines heralded the direct involvement of US combat units in the war. The Marines had the responsibility of guarding the Da Nang Air Base but were ordered not to engage in day-to-day actions against the VC. M50A1 C33 (Company C, 3rd Platoon, 3rd Vehicle) exits a landing craft onto Red Beach II north of Da Nang.  Film: US Marines Landing During South Vietnam Combat (1965) US President Johnson authorized a change in the US Marines' mission in South Vietnam, a month after the first units had been sent to protect installations at Da Nang from enemy attack. For the first time, US ground troops were allowed to move into the surrounding areas and to engage VC forces in combat. On 1 April 1965, 3000 Marines of the US 9th Marine Brigade landed at Da Nang, reinforcing the US Marines already there. A M50A1 driving off the ramp of LCU-1615 (a modified version of a LCT Mark 5) at Da Nang on 1 April 1965.  Another Ontos driving ashore from LCU-1615. Behind it in LCU-1615 is a M48A3 Patton tank flying a red flag with its turret rotated to its rear.  M50A1 Ontos in a vehicle park in Da Nang in May 1965. Note the two large canvases covering the breaches for three rifles on each side.  In June 1965, a M50A1 Ontos moves onto Chu Lai beach (southeast of Da Nang) and searches for a defensive position shortly after disembarking from a landing craft launched from LSD-28 USS Thomaston (Landing Ship, Dock). In the background is a LVTP-5 amphibious personnel carrier (crew of 3 and carries 34 Marines) with its bow ramp lowered.  Film: Seabees Command Post on a beach and military vehicles including M-48 tanks and M5O Ontos at Chu Lai This Ontos is driving along a Vietnamese river. Probably somewhere along the Hàn River or the Cầu Đỏ River near Da Nang.  Where monsoon mud and flooded rice paddies tended to mire the heavy US Marine tanks, the lighter Ontos was able to drive right through with ease. The Ontos was the only tracked vehicle the US Marines had that was light enough to drive across a pontoon bridge. Vietnam 1966A M50A1 Ontos with an old Crouse Hinds 18-inch searchlight mounted in February 1966. The Crouse Hinds searchlight probably came from a Patton tank which got a new Xenon AN/VSS-1 2.2 kilowatt white light/infrared searchlight.  A M50A1 Ontos provides fire support for US Marines on a sweep near Phu Bai. On the right front fender of the nearest Ontos appears to be code "A13".  A Ontos on patrol in the Quảng Tín Province during Operation Iowa, 8-10 April 1966.  A M50A1 Ontos during Operation Mobile in the Chu Lai area, 28 May 1966.  A M50A1 Ontos in the Quang Ngai Province during Operation Franklin, 26-29 July 1966.  Three Ontos on the perimeter of a fire base or camp in October 1966. Note that each Ontos guns are pointed in a different direction.  A damaged Ontos being towed by a USMC M51 heavy tank retriever (based on the M103 heavy tank chassis), October 1966. Besides missing the right track, the Ontos is also missing two road wheels.  Vietnam 1967During Operation Desoto (27 January to 7 April 1967) in the Đức Phổ District (southeast of Da Nang), Sikorsky heavy lift CH-53D Sea Stallion helicopters of HMM-265 transported a Ontos platoon 25 miles (40 km) south of Quảng Ngãi City each carrying a Ontos in sling underneath the helicopter. A Ontos at USMC combat base camp Evans (northwest of Hue) on 27 June 1967.  Khe Sanh 1967On 27 March 1967, an armed military convoy (called a “Rough Rider” convoy) consisting of 68 vehicles left Dong Ha to go to Khe Sanh. These were the first vehicles to travel to Khe Sanh via Route 9 since September 1964 and two Ontos accompanied the convoy. The two Ontos were from the 2nd Platoon, Company A, 3rd Anti-tank Battalion with Second Lieutenant Phillip Sauer commanding. The convoy left Dong Ha at 0832 hours, and arrived at Khe Sanh around noon without incident. The Ontos remained at Khe Sanh to augment base security while the convoy returned back to Dong Ha. The Ontos were the first US Marine Corps armored vehicles at Khe Sanh. On May 21st, Khe Sanh Ontos assets were augmented by the arrival of one Ontos airlifted from Phu Bai. The following day the headquarters of Company A, 3rd Anti-tank Battalion was moved to Khe Sanh to increase the Ontos support for the 26th Marines regimental headquarters at Khe Sanh.  Defense of the base perimeter of Khe Sanh was a joint effort. While US Marine infantry battalions were responsible for most of it, responsibility for the western or RED Sector was assigned to Company A, 3rd Anti-tank Battalion. By July 1967, Company A, 3rd Anti-tank Battalion had 10 M50A1 Ontos with 3 officers and 51 enlisted men at Khe Sanh. A Ontos on the western sector of the perimeter at Khe Sanh.  The NVA increased the pressure on Khe Sanh and the Route 9 supply route to the base. NVA 82mm mortar rounds and 102mm rockets struck the base while Rough Rider convoys faced the threat of mines and ambushes. On June 17th, two Ontos on patrol ascended Hill 861, demonstrating the cross-country mobility of the Ontos. The Ontos also made reconnaissance trips along Route 9 close to the Laotian border in preparation for anticipated fire missions at targets on enemy infiltration routes. On June 27th, during an enemy rocket and mortar attack, the Ontos responded to the mortar fire resulting in one secondary explosion which most likely took out the enemy mortar. A Ontos firing at Khe Sanh. Beside the Ontos are the crew members covering their ears. To the right is a sandbag bunker for ammo storage and/or living quarters.  On June 28th, a platoon of M48A3 Patton tanks of Company B, 3rd Tank Battalion moved from Camp Carroll (southwest of Cam Lộ) to Khe Sanh. These were the first US Marine tanks at the Khe Sanh Combat Base. The tanks and Ontos were used to escort reconnaissance teams in the areas surrounding Khe Sanh. On August 21st, a light section of two Ontos, providing security for a convoy from Khe Sanh to Ca Lu (located on Route 9 near Krông Klang, east of Cam Lo) was attacked by about two NVA battalions. The two Ontos responded with six 106mm HEPT (cannister) rounds and .30 Caliber machine gun fire, resulting in 6 confirmed NVA KIA, 10 probable NVA KIA, and one NVA POW. Con ThienCon Thien (local missionaries called it the “Hill of Angels”) was a US Marines combat base located near the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) about 3 km (1.9 miles) from North Vietnam in the Gio Linh District, Quảng Trị Province. The helicopter landing zone there became known as “Death Valley.” In early September 1967, the 3rd Battalion, 26th Marines “The Professionals” took on an entire NVA regiment in the vicinity of Con Thien, repelling a major ground assault. The 3rd Battalion was dispatched to the area to secure the combat base’s endangered Main Supply Route (MSR). The MSR ran between Con Thien and Cam Lo, located on Route 9. The battalion consisted of Headquarters & Service, India, Kilo, Lima and Mike companies. An average rifle company had 190 men which were supported by platoons of B Company, 3rd Tank Battalion and A Company, 3rd Anti-Tank Battalion. A Ontos near Con Thien.  A M50A1 Ontos in a firing position at Con Thien.  On September 10th, the 3rd Battalion was attacked by the entire 812th NVA Regiment 4 miles (6.44 km) southwest of Con Thien. Isolated into two separate defensive perimeters on Hill 88 and Hill 48, the US Marines were hit by enemy waves. On Hill 48, M Company, commanded by Captain Andrew DeBona, faced a life-and-death struggle. Hit by an enemy assault led by NVA soldiers wearing USMC flak jackets and helmets, M Company repelled the attack. Canister fire from Ontos attached to the company were critical for the Marines survival. Rows of attacking NVA were mowed down like they were corn. Lance Corporal Randall Browning commanded an Ontos of A Company, 3rd Anti-Tank Battalion. Despite being seriously wounded, he repulsed NVA charges with various weapons. Browning was instrumental in thwarting the enemy’s attempt to overrun the battalion’s position and prevented the capture, injury or possible death of many Marines. Hue 1968The North Vietnamese launched their Tet Offensive on 30 January 1968 which coincided with the Vietnamese Tết Lunar New Year holiday cease fire. They attacked hundreds of military targets and population centers across the country, including Hue. In the early morning hours of January 31st, a division-sized force of PAVN-VC soldiers launched a coordinated attack on Hue and rapidly occupied most of the city. Film: 1968 Phu Bai Vietnam Ontos Exploding VC troops examining an abandoned M50A1 Ontos near Hue during the Tet Offensive.  Throughout February 1968, the enemy were gradually driven out of Hue by house-to-house fighting led by the US Marines and South Vietnamese (ARVN) forces. A M50A1 Ontos traveling on a road heading towards Hue.  A Ontos stopped next to a USMC M48A3 Patton tank in or near Hue. Note the height of the Ontos compared to the Patton tank.  This appears to be the same Ontos as in the photo above. Compare the ration boxes on the front hull in both photos. Behind the Ontos is a 6x6 truck carrying US Marines.  A Ontos leads a column of commandeered vehicles heading towards Hue late on January 31st. This column resupplied the US Marines fighting in Hue and then brought back the seriously wounded.  A Ontos driving through a street intersection in Hue on 2 February 1968.  A Ontos on the side of a road searching for a sniper in Hue. The accompanying Marines had taken cover beside the trees along the road. Note the nearest Marine has a small US flag attached to his helmet band.  This might be another view of the same Ontos in the above photo. It has the exhaust extension, part of the fording kit which was not usually fitted.  This M50A1 Ontos was out of action on 11 February 1968 either for maintenance or the crew was taking a break.  This M50A1 driver is taking a nap on his Ontos during a break in the fighting in Hue.  A Ontos firing at dug in VC down a street in Hue on 21 February 1968. Immediately after firing, the Ontos would withdraw to cover in a side street or alley.  Film: M50 Ontos firing across the Perfume River in Hue on 21 February 1968. Colonel Stanley Smith Hughes (commander of the First Marine Regiment) stated the Ontos was the most effective of all Marine supporting arms. At ranges of 300 to 500 yards (270 to 460 meters), its recoilless rifles firing High Explosive Squash Head (HESH) rounds could knock holes in or completely knock down walls. There are accounts describing the enemy fleeing from buildings when a Ontos's spotting round went through a window. Just the appearance of an Ontos was sometimes enough to make the enemy break contact and flee. A M50A1 Ontos moving through the streets of Hue passing battle wary Marines on 23 February 1968.  A M274 Mule with a single 106mm Recoilless Rifle mounted and a Ontos north of Hue.  US Marines catch a ride aboard two Ontos.  A Ontos near Cam Lo (along Route 9 west of Dong Ha) on 21 November 1968.  Side view of an Ontos, serial number 226710 (formerly 200317) which probably mean it was upgraded to a M50A1. It has a name painted near the end of one of the Recoilless Rifle barrels, but it is too far away to read it.  Video: M50A1 Ontos at Hue: 1968 Video: M-50 Ontos in Vietnam Video: Battle of Hue City 1968 - Peace Frog (Vietnam War Real Footage) After several years of combat in Vietnam, it became difficult for the crews and mechanics of the maintenance platoons to keep the Ontos operational. There were a lot of complaints about the state of the chassis. The wear and tear of the vehicles and the lack of spare parts affected their performance. By March 1969, most of the Ontos were considered to be of limited combat readiness and were placed in stationary firing positions on the perimeter of bases and camps. Several Ontos were disarmed and converted into tractors, used to push or pull vehicles that got stuck on muddy roads during the rainy season. The wooden bulldozer blade was added to push vehicles. Note this Ontos is missing its engine covers.  In 1969, the US Marine combat units were beginning to withdrawn from Vietnam and their war weary Ontos were turned over to US Army and ARVN units. The service career of the Ontos effectively ended in that year. Ontos Anti-Tank ActionWhile the Ontos were deploying to Vietnam on the other side of the world, the Ontos was used in the anti-tank role for the first time during the US involvement in the Dominican Civil War (24 April 1965 to 3 September 1965). The Dominican Republic is an island country in the Caribbean, west of Puerto Rico. Dominican Air Force General Elías Wessin y Wessin organized elements of the military loyal to the dictator Donald Reid Cabral (the "Loyalists"), initiated an armed campaign against the "Constitutionalist" rebels. The Constitutionalist wanted to restore the democratically elected president Juan Bosch who was ousted in a military coup in 1963 and wanted the Dominican constitution reinstated. Allegations of communist support for the rebels and the fear of another Cuban missile crisis led to the US invasion (Operation Power Pack) which supported the Loyalists. On 28 April 1965, US Marines of the 6th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU) deployed from Guantanamo Bay Naval Base to Santo Domingo (the capital and largest city in the Dominican Republic) to protect US citizens and the US Embassy. The initial US Marine force arrived by helicopters (VMM-264) from the USS Boxer LPH-4 (Landing Platform Helicopter) in the US Marines first night all-helicopter assault into an unsecured landing zone on the western edge of Santo Domingo. About 400 US Marines were put ashore in western Santo Domingo with no armor support. In the face of continued rebel attacks, some with tanks, it was realized that the size of the invasion force could not provide adequate protection for the US evacuees so reinforcements were ordered. Early on April 29th, Operation BARREL BOTTOM was launched where US Marine reinforcements with two sections of 106mm recoilless rifles, together with M48A3 Patton tanks (90mm guns), two platoons of Ontos, and LVTP-5s located aboard LSDs (Landing Ship Dock) Raleigh, Wood Count and Fort Snelling, began landing across Red Beach. Immediately after landing, the units formed into an armored column and advanced northward to the Embajador Hotel in Santo Domingo where US citizens were waiting to be evacuated. The column helped maintain control of Santo Domingo and provided additional security along the All American Expressway that ran through the city. In the afternoon of April 29th, a USMC Ontos and a M48A3 Patton tank engaged and destroyed two rebel Swedish-built Stridvagn m/40L (L-60 S/III) light tanks (w/ 37mm Bofors gun), each destroying one. In another engagement against the rebels, it was reported one or two Ontos destroyed two French-built AMX-13 light tanks (75mm gun). Early on April 30th, two battalions of the US 82nd Airborne Division (without armor support) landed at San Isidro airfield, 25 km (15.5 miles) east of Santo Domingo. Hours later, the US Army paratroopers advancing west crossed the Duarte Bridge to link up with the Loyalists in Santo Domingo, who were suppose to secure a corridor to the US Marines guarding the US Embassy. However, after heavy fighting the Loyalists withdrew to the San Isidro airfield instead. On May 2nd, the US forces (Marines and Airborne) finally linked up, and the outgunned Constitutionalists retreated to the southeastern part of the city. On May 5th, a ceasefire was declared. A US Marines Ontos in the outskirts of Santo Domingo on 2 May 1965.  A US Marine column stopped on a street in Santo Domingo heading to the US Embassy on 3 May 1965. Note the Ontos are in a herringbone formation where each vehicle is facing in alternate directions.  This M50A1 Ontos commander with binoculars looks toward the Villa Consuelo neighborhood in Santo Domingo. The police headquarters is barely visible in the background to the left. Note on both front fenders are Playboy bunny logos.  During the Dominican Civil War, the Constitutionalist rebels initially did not have any tanks. During the heavy fighting, the Loyalists abandoned several of their tanks. The rebels captured some of them and used them against the Loyalists and US Marines. This is a rebel L-60 light tank with "PUEBLO" hand painted on the turret. PUEBLO translates to "People" in English which refers to the Constitutionalists.  This is a rebel AMX-13/75 tank. The front hull has "PUEBLO" hand painted on it and the side hull has "CONSTITUCIONALISTAS" (Constitutionalists). The sign above the AMX-13/75 reads "La Espanola Reposteria" (The Spanish Pastry Shop).  This is another view of the same rebel AMX-13/75 tank. Compare the "PUEBLO" letters on the front hull in both photos.  This is another rebel AMX-13/75 tank. This one appears to have "PUEBLO" painted on the gun barrel.  Film: US Troops in Dominican Republic 1965 Film: American invasion of the Dominican Republic in 1965. Film: Military tanks ride on street during Dominican Civil War - 1965 Video: Tank Battles of the Dominican Civil War TodayA M56 Scorpion is on display at 34° 40.006′ N, 98° 23.19′ W in Fort Sill, Oklahoma, 73503 in Comanche County. It is at the intersection of Corral Road and Randolph Road, on the right when traveling west on Corral Road in the central section of Artillery Park at the US Army Field Artillery Museum.  Another M56 Scorpion is on display at: 40°53'59.6"N 74°06'258."W in Borough Park on the corner of Market Street and Mola Boulevard, Elmwood Park, New Jersey 07407 (South of Route 80).  A M50A1 Ontos is on display at the US Army Armor & Cavalry Collection, Fort Benning, Georgia.  Note: On 11 May 2023, Fort Benning was renamed Fort Moore. On 3 March 2025, the base was renamed back to Fort Benning with a new namesake, Corporal Fred G. Benning, who earned a Distinguished Service Cross in WWI during the Meuse–Argonne offensive south of Exermont, France on 9 October 1918. Model Kits1/16: 1/35: 1/72: |
Samstag, 1. November 2025
M56 Scorpion and M50 Ontos in Combat
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