King Armored Car
Encyclopedia
The King Armored Car was manufactured by the Armored Motor Car Company
(AMC). It was the first American armored vehicle, and was ordered by the United States Marine Corps
in 1915 for testing before being used by the 1st Armored Car Squadron
, which consisted of eight cars. The 1st Armored Car Squadron was the USA's first formal armored unit.
(M1895 Colt-Browning on earlier models) mounted in an armored turret to protect the gunner from small arms fire. It was designed to be quite easy to transport. It could be taken ashore whole or it could be broken down into smaller pieces to put into motor launches, taken ashore, and reassembled on the beach. However, it could not be considered an unqualified success, as it was not very reliable. This problem was compounded by a lack of qualified mechanics, and replacement parts were few and far between.
refused USMC Commandant George Barnett
's offer of a Marine division. Had General Pershing accepted General Barnett's offer, it is highly probable that the 1st Armored Car Squadron would have been sent along with it. The 1st Armored Car Squadron was disbanded in 1921. Five of the vehicles were used in Haiti and Santo Domingo until 1927, and all of the cars were finally disposed of in 1934
Armored Motor Car Company
The Armored Motor Car Company was a company in Detroit, United States. It is known for producing the King Armored Car, the founding vehicle of the 1st Armored Car Squadron of the United States Marines.-External links:...
(AMC). It was the first American armored vehicle, and was ordered by the United States Marine Corps
United States Marine Corps
The United States Marine Corps is a branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for providing power projection from the sea, using the mobility of the United States Navy to deliver combined-arms task forces rapidly. It is one of seven uniformed services of the United States...
in 1915 for testing before being used by the 1st Armored Car Squadron
1st Armored Car Squadron (United States Marines)
The 1st Armored Car Squadron was a unit of the United States Marine Corps which was intended to utilise armored cars in combat. The unit was formed in 1916 in Philadelphia under Marine Captain Andrew B...
, which consisted of eight cars. The 1st Armored Car Squadron was the USA's first formal armored unit.
Description
The car had one Lewis Machine GunLewis Gun
The Lewis Gun is a World War I–era light machine gun of American design that was perfected and widely used by the British Empire. It was first used in combat in World War I, and continued in service with a number of armed forces through to the end of the Korean War...
(M1895 Colt-Browning on earlier models) mounted in an armored turret to protect the gunner from small arms fire. It was designed to be quite easy to transport. It could be taken ashore whole or it could be broken down into smaller pieces to put into motor launches, taken ashore, and reassembled on the beach. However, it could not be considered an unqualified success, as it was not very reliable. This problem was compounded by a lack of qualified mechanics, and replacement parts were few and far between.
Service
The 1st Armored Car Squadron did not see any action during World War I. During World War I, General PershingJohn J. Pershing
John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing, GCB , was a general officer in the United States Army who led the American Expeditionary Forces in World War I...
refused USMC Commandant George Barnett
George Barnett
Major General George Barnett was the 12th Commandant of the United States Marine Corps. He was Commandant during the U.S. involvement in World War I. He was born in Lancaster, Wisconsin and grew up in the small town of Boscobel, Wisconsin.-Early career:Barnett entered the U.S...
's offer of a Marine division. Had General Pershing accepted General Barnett's offer, it is highly probable that the 1st Armored Car Squadron would have been sent along with it. The 1st Armored Car Squadron was disbanded in 1921. Five of the vehicles were used in Haiti and Santo Domingo until 1927, and all of the cars were finally disposed of in 1934
Sources
- Kenneth W. Estes. Marines under armor: the Marine Corps and the armored fighting vehicle, 1916-2000. Library of Naval Biography. Naval Institute Press, 2000. ISBN 1-55750-237-4, 9781557502377. Pg 3 http://books.google.com/books?id=DDw7TzT0-HkC&pg=PA2&dq=Armor+Motor+Car+Company+Detroit&client=firefox-a&cd=10#v=onepage&q=Armor%20Motor%20Car%20Company%20Detroit&f=false