The M-4 Sherman Tank Was Hell on Wheels — And a Death Trap

War is Boring ^ | October 23, 2014 | Paul Richard Huard

[C19fan]

The M-4 Sherman was the workhorse medium tank of the U.S. Army and Marine Corps during World War II. It fought in every theater of operation—North Africa, the Pacific and Europe.

The Sherman was renown for its mechanical reliability, owing to its standardized parts and quality construction on the assembly line. It was roomy, easily repaired, easy to drive. It should have been the ideal tank.

But the Sherman was also a death trap.

[Oatka]

Hey, it served Bogie OK in Sahara. ;)

Good movie as it showed that tank up close and personal. At the end, when they met up with allied troops, I noticed they showed a Grant that had a welded hull - whether any made it to North Africa is another story as all I have seen had riveted hulls.

I think it was on imdb.com that one guy said the movie was filmed near Yuma, AZ and that he had found where the fort was and picked up a few 50 cal cases. Cool.

[X Fretensis]

Almost all Soviet tanks and sp guns were diesel powered. Even the 6,000 Shermans we sent them under lend-lease were equipped with diesel engines.

[X Fretensis]

We manufactured over 44,000 Sherman tanks during the second world war.

[X Fretensis]

The M4a6 was produced in limited numbers and never saw combat with the army in Europe. The M4a2 was powered by 2 straight 6 GMC diesel engines mounted side by side. This is the model of Sherman that we supplied 6000 to the Soviets. The U.S. Army did not use this Sherman model in Europe. The U.S. Marine Corp used the M4a2 in the Island campaigns in the Pacific.

[Rebelbase]

Good stuff on this thread.

[LS]

Yeah, I know, see above in the thread. I had confused the number we shipped to Russia with total production.

[longfellow]

Thanks for your service. Will you be going to Fury.
?

I hate supporting Hollywood but the WW2 stuff they still show some respect. I can’t wait for the Eastwood movie I know he is respectful.

[NFHale]

All:

Goinb back to our collective discussion of a few days ago...Here’s a review of “Fury”.

http://sipseystreetirregulars.blogspot.com/2014/10/movie-review-fury.html

I will probably be going to see this soon.

[MasterGunner01]

Speaking of tank “aces” of WW2, the US Army's best was SSgt Lafayette Pool of the 3rd Armored Division. SSgt Pool had three M4A1 Shermans shot out from under him. He and his tank crew were credited with destroying 258 enemy vehicles, including tanks, self-propelled guns, and armored cars. He and his crew killed over 1,000 enemy soldiers and took over 250 prisoners.

His was the point tank in 21 full-scale engagements, and he survived many harrowing close calls with death. Pool and his crew knocked out no less than 12 German tanks, most of which were superior to the Shermans in terms of armor and firepower. On September 19, 1944, near Stolberg, Germany, Pool's third tank “In the Mood III” was knocked out by a Panther. He was blown out of the turret with a bad shrapnel wound to his leg (it was later amputated).

Here is his story from the 3rd Armored Division site: http://www.3ad.com/history/wwll/pool.pages/introduction.htm.

[NFHale]

Amazing story!

Another tank that comes to mind is the M5 Stuart... can’t imagine that doing too much damage to the Panthers or Tigers. Mk III or Mk IV, maybe... how effective was that 37mm doorknocker?

[Oatka]

Goinb back to our collective discussion of a few days ago...Here’s a review of “Fury”.

From that site: "The fact that there were absolutely green replacements with no tank experience used in the latter part of the war is incontrovertible."

Cooper commented on the History channel that the govt put the farm boys in the armor as drivers since they were used to driving tractors, etc. and would have an easier time coming up to speed. They still died like flies though.

[longfellow]

What was it that Bradley was told about the tanks armor being penetrated.
That the shells only come in one side and rattle around a bit.