Roller on Bumper of M3A2 Halftrack What's it for?

Is that roller to assist the M3 chassis in driving over obstacles instead of driving the obstacle into the engine or under the vehicle?

thx - craig

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who me?
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Yes, exactly. Remember when the M3 half-track was designed, we were still expecting to re-fight WW1 and it would help the vehicle roll up over obstacles and cross trenches.

Rob Gronovius Modern US armor at

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Rob Gronovius

It's to keep the bumper from nosing in when crossing a ditch. The US halfracks were actually a bit more mobile than the German ones due to a driven front axle but could still bury their front ends if not careful when crossing a shallow ditch.

Cookie Sewell

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AMPSOne

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