The M5 and M5A1 series were the IHC equivalents of the M3 and M3A1 and differred externally by having flat front fenders and rounded rear edges. They were built using homogeneous instead of face hardened armour and were resultantly regarded as inferior to the M3 series by the US Army and resultantly were allocated for Lend Lease use only.
Along with the IHC built M9 series, 5000 were supplied to the British and Canadian Armies, using them mainly as Prime Movers for the 6pdr. and 17pdrs. Anti-Tank guns, as Utility vehicles, Troop carriers and Command vehicles. They saw service in Italy and NW Europe.

Other countries to recieve the IHC series of Halftracks were the Free French who received around 1800; the Russians 800 and the BEF (Brazilian Expeditionary Force!) 20. The BEF using them in the Italian Campaign.