At the beginning of World War II, the US Army had light and lightly armed scout cars for advanced reconnaissance activities. The armored car M-8 Greyhound, developed during the war, represented a turning point for the US Army as it offered better protection and heavier armament. The vehicle provided greater operational flexibility and could be used more effectively to support ground troops thanks to the 37mm gun mounted in the turret. It was initially deployed on the Italian front from Montecassino to Anzio and later participated in the D-Day operations in June 1944. Although the terrain in Normandy was difficult and challenging in the early stages of the operation, the M-8 was later particularly appreciated for its speed and versatility. The M-20 version was developed from the M-8 version for military police duties and command vehicle roles.