Vehicles · United Kingdom · 1944-1945
Achilles
tank destroyer
The 17pdr SP Achilles was a British conversion of the American M10 tank destroyer, rearming it with the more powerful Ordnance QF 17-pounder in place of the M10's original 3-inch gun. Conversions did not begin until April 1944, so the Achilles saw only limited use around D-Day but became increasingly common through the campaign in North-West Europe. Crews typically held it back to reinforce infantry positions against German armoured counter-attacks while slower towed 17-pounders were brought up and dug in, an approach that accounted for thirteen German tanks destroyed during Operation Charnwood. Roughly 1,100 M10s were converted, making the Achilles the second most numerous carrier of the 17-pounder gun after the Sherman Firefly.
| armament | 1x Ordnance QF 17-pounder, 1x .50 cal Browning MG |
|---|---|
| crew | 5 |
| weight | 29.6 tonnes |
| produced | ~1,100 converted |
Western Europe, Mediterranean and North Africa