Sherman – Conclusion

Despite these set-back of the Sherman, tactics and superior numbers played a greater role in making sure that the Sherman came out ahead. Superior numbers allowed for the allies to supply a surplus of Shermans to the battle fields and numerically overwhelm Panther and Tigers tanks and in so doing flank the Germans. This method …

Sherman – In Operation (Pt. 4 of 4)

It must be noted that many of the tanks' strong points aren't directly related to combat or its inherent ability as a fighting vehicle but due to the support services both combat and non, that the Sherman was able to marshal, for instance well organized logistics, artillery and air support. If anything the vehicle characteristic …

Sherman – In Operation (Pt. 3 of 4)

When the Shermans came aground at Normandy they were presented with other challenges. The first were organisational and institutional and was a problem that existed even before the landing as the army didn't want the men to use the tank as the crews weren't trained on it. It was Gen. Patton who accepted some but …

Sherman – In Operation (Pt. 2 of 4)

When American units took part in their next operation the invasion of Sicily in Operation Husky, the force contained significantly more Shermans. This didn't make the fighting any easier as when they came ashore at the Gela beachhead they faced stiff opposition from the Hermann Goring Panzer division, which was supported by Tiger tanks. The …

Sherman – In Operation (Pt. 1 of 4)

The first deployment of the Sherman was in 1942 at Alamein in North Africa with the British not Americans. Only during Operation Troch was the Sherman deployed with the Americans in French North Africa. At this point the 1st Armoured Division still had the M3 Lee as a medium tank. These divisions equipped with the …

Sherman – Mobility

The Sherman was a light tank and as such a vehicle its mobility was good, even comparable to others like it. It could get up to 25mph on the road and without its additional modified sandbag armour it could get up to 30mph. Some of the crews tinkered with the engines to get a little …

Sherman – Armour (Pt. 2 of 2)

The next development was the Jumbo assault tank or the M4A3E2 which was an up armoured M4A3 with extra 38mm plates added to the front and sides. The turret was similar to the T23 turret with a 76mm gun, however this version had a 152mm armour as opposed to the 63mm. Only 254 were built …

Sherman – Armour (Pt. 1 of 2)

The Sherman armour was not the best when compared to what the Wehrmacht had to offer in 1944. To the front it was 51mm if armour to the sides 38mm. The turret had an 89mm gun shield, the turret armour varied as well, with 76mm to the front and 51mm to the sides. On the …

Sherman – Crew & Other Weapons

The crew consisted of the driver, commander, gunner, loader and bow-gunner. The gunner was located in front of the commander who had a 2-piece split hatch above him that was fitted with a periscope. The turret also had a a small vane sight just forward of his periscope the gunner also had such a sight …

Sherman – The Gun (Pt. 2 of 2)

Within the turret there were baskets for ammunition storage. 12 rds. were stored in the lower basket wall and 8 more under the gun in a ready rack. At the loaders knee there was a stowage rack for 15 rds. and the commander had access to 15 and then 17 more rds. in sponsons on …