1955 erhielt die B-Gendarmerie 45 Panzerspähwagen M8 aus amerikanischen Beständen, jedoch ohne die 37mm Kanone M-6. Nach der Übernahme ins österreichische Bundesheer und im Zuge der Ungarnkrise, Oktober 1956, wurden die Kanonen eingebaut. Die M8, die Anfangs der 1960er Jahre noch nicht ausgeschieden wurden, verblieben als gepanzerter Funkwagen M8, mit SCR 506 und SCR 508 ausgestattet, bei der Truppe. Die Kanone wurde wiederum ausgebaut, das Rohr manchmal mit einer Holzattrappe nachgestellt. Ab 1956 scheinen auch an vielen Fahrzeugen zwei zusätzliche Scheinwerfer, samt Schutzbügeln, nachgerüstet worden zu sein. Daran lassen sich österreichische M8 recht gut erkennen. Manche M8 haben auch ein Reserverad auf der linken Panzerung für den Motorlufteinlass montiert. Es gibt auch Berichte über zwei M20, die bei der B-Gendarmerie gelaufen sein sollen. Entsprechendes Bildmaterial dazu habe ich bis dato noch nicht gesehen.
In 1955 45 M8 armoured cars were handed over to the Austrian B-Gendarmerie by the withdrawing US Forces. Nevertheless, the 37mm M-6 guns had been removed. After the Austrian Armed Forces took over the M8’s and forced by the crisis in Hungary in October 1956, the guns were mounted at least. M8’s which have not been dismissed at the beginning of the 1960ies were equiped with SCR 506 and SCR 508 and used as armoured wireless vehicle. The guns were removed again, sometimes a wooden dummy barrel was added. By 1956 many Greyhounds were equipped with 2 additional headlights and headlight guards. So Austrian M8’s can be easily identified. Some M8’s also had a spare wheel mounted on the left armoured air intake cover. There are reports about tow M20 which were operated in B-Gendarmerie. So far, I have not seen any photographic evidence to proof these stories.
In 1955 45 M8 armoured cars were handed over to the Austrian B-Gendarmerie by the withdrawing US Forces. Nevertheless, the 37mm M-6 guns had been removed. After the Austrian Armed Forces took over the M8’s and forced by the crisis in Hungary in October 1956, the guns were mounted at least. M8’s which have not been dismissed at the beginning of the 1960ies were equiped with SCR 506 and SCR 508 and used as armoured wireless vehicle. The guns were removed again, sometimes a wooden dummy barrel was added. By 1956 many Greyhounds were equipped with 2 additional headlights and headlight guards. So Austrian M8’s can be easily identified. Some M8’s also had a spare wheel mounted on the left armoured air intake cover. There are reports about tow M20 which were operated in B-Gendarmerie. So far, I have not seen any photographic evidence to proof these stories.
M8 Heeresgeschichtliches Museum
M8 Diverse
M8 Sammlung Gill
M8 Turm Sammlung Gill
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