M38 with 75mm Recoilless Rifle in 1955

[m38olddog]

I ran across this M38 photo while looking through the 1955 32nd Infantry Division yearbook.
The caption says it was taken at the Memorial Day parade. The vehicle is from Company M,
2nd Battalion of the 127th Infantry Regiment (Fond du Lac, WI). The hood number is 20944795.
It shows a 75mm recoilless rifle, mounted on the dash/cowl (?).
Sorry about the large size, but I wanted to retain as much detail as possible.

[Ryan_Miller]

Dave,

That is a great photo!

I have not seen a view of the M38 with a recoiless rifle from the rear angle. Lots of detail on other parts can be observed also.

Thanks for posting that photo!

[ChuckW]

I don't think that 75 is actually mounted to the cowl, looks like it may have been posed for the parade. I mean, there's no reason to mount it like that, the guy sitting in the seat is sure not going to fire it like that! (can you say toast!).
Neat photo, though, lots of interesting detail. I see he has the same problem I do, the cowl battery box lid pulled the windshield weatherstripping loose from the bottom of the windshield frame! Wonder why no pioneer tools?
Another interesting thing: year is 1955, still has USA instead of US ARMY on the hood.
Thanks for posting.

[wesk]

Chuck's correct. Posed 75 for parade. The battery box interference wouldn't have been tolerated and if one did mount any heavy weapon to the right side of the dash the windshield would have been removed.

The jeep's a Guard unit so that explains the USA and the pioneer tools were often stored at the unit and issued only when the jeep was signed out for field work.

[m38olddog]

Thanks for the confirmation Chuck and Wes. I was doubtful that the 75mm would be mounted on the cowl (hence the "?"). Even if the gunner would get out of the way ("toast" for sure!) the blast would still be hard on the jeep if fired in that low position. I just hadn't seen this particular M38 pic before and, since it was dated, I thought it was worth posting. Thanks for your replies.