The M7 "Priest" was originally based on the M3 Lee/Grant Chassis and mounted a 105mm M1A2 Howitzer. It was designed to provide mobile artillery support for armoured operations and provided a fully armoured, fully tracked solutions following lessons learned from earlier use of half track motor carriages. The British nicknamed the M7 the "Priest" based on the MG pulpit being similar to that used in church. Early British use was during the North African campaign during El Alamein.