M8 Greyhound Light Armored Car 1941–91

Osprey New Vanguard #53

by Steven J. Zaloga, Tony Bryan (Illustrator)

The M8 light armored car was the only significant wheeled combat vehicle used by the US Army in World War II. In conjunction with the lightly armed utility version, the M20, it was the staple of the army's cavalry squadrons for use in reconnaissance and scouting. First entering combat in Italy in 1943, it was widely used throughout the campaign in northwest Europe, though its off-road performance was found to be wanting. This title describes the design and development of the M8, covering the many variants that were produced during World War II and afterwards, along with a comprehensive survey of its operational use.

Genres: History

107 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 25, 2002

About the author

Steven Zaloga is an author and defense analyst known worldwide for his articles and publications on military technology.  He has written over a hundred books on military technology and military history, including “Armored Thunderbolt: The US Army Sherman in World War II”, one of the most highly regarded histories of the Sherman Tank.  His books have been translated into Japanese, German, Polish, Czech, Romanian, and Russian. He was a special correspondent for Jane’s Intelligence Review and is on the executive board of the Journal of Slavic Military Studies and the New York Military Affairs Symposium. From 1987 through 1992, he was the writer/producer for Video Ordnance Inc., preparing their TV series Firepower.  He holds a BA in history from Union College and an MA in history from Columbia University.

Mr. Zaloga is also a noted scale armor modeler and is a host/moderator of the World War II Allied Discussion group at Missing-Lynx.com, a modelling website. He is a frequent contributor to the UK-based modeling magazine Military Modelling. He is a member of the Armor Modeling and Preservation Society.

Reviews

[Sleepy Boy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good look at an armored car that somehow wasn't great at off-roading. Despite this drawback and frequent tactical misuse* it performed its required tasks fairly well it seems.

* Reconnaissance units being tasked as if they were armored cavalry. Many WW2 commanders did not fully grasp the nuanced differences that mechanized warfare brought to the table vs the horse cavalry tactics most of them had cut their teeth on.

[William Paley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Since this is not a vehicle from the Second World War that I know much about, I found plenty of data here.