57mm gun

The M1 57mm anti-tank gun was the American designation for the British QF 6-pounder, adopted by the US Army during World War II. It served as a primary anti-tank weapon, capable of firing both armor-piercing and high-explosive rounds against enemy tanks and fortifications.

Developed in response to the inadequacy of the 37mm M3 gun against heavier German armor, the United States adopted the British design in 1941 and began production in early 1942. The weapon saw its first major combat deployment during the North African Campaign and later played a crucial role in the Normandy landings, where it was widely issued to infantry and airborne divisions. It was also deployed in the Pacific Theater, proving highly effective against Japanese bunkers and light tanks. Phased out of active US service shortly after the war in favor of recoilless rifles, the 57mm gun left a lasting legacy as a vital infantry support weapon that bridged a critical gap in Allied anti-armor capabilities.