The M-4 Sherman

[Badger]

Posted this a few time before when discussion threads around Sherman Tanks get posted ..

Don't own one, but spent a LOT of time in the M4A2E8 Sherman ....

Brings back memories ....

Here's some 40+ year old pics from my very first day on the tank ranges as a fresh young Crew Commander. Two of my first few engagements (different tanks) at 1,500 to 2,800 yards were captured in the color pics below. What the second one didn't show was the result of the 76mm back blast spinning me around in the turret, blowing my beret off my head and over the back deck, plus burning (singe effect) my eyebrows and hair bad enough that it crumbled to the touch. Of course, I straightened myself up and tried to look "very cool" to all of my buddies watching.





Regards,
Doug

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Qualifications:

Sherman (M4A2E8) & Centurion
Group 3 Gunner (RCAC)
Group 2 Driver Mechanic Tracked (RCAC)
Group 2 Signaler (RCAC)
CC and Troop Leader Instructor

Information

Warning: This is a relatively older thread This discussion is older than 360 days. Some information contained in it may no longer be current.

[WarPig1976]

spent a LOT of time in the M4A2E8 Sherman ....

As a crew member did you feel confident you had an effective weapon compared to potential enemies? I'd be curious also, did the Sherman E8 have any quirks that aren't well known?

[CINDERS]

the result of the 76mm back blast spinning me around in the turret, blowing my beret off my head and over the back deck, plus burning (singe effect) my eyebrows and hair bad enough that it crumbled to the touch.

I think this was one of them Warpig!

[Gil Boyd]

Some of the things you take for granted and the Sherman was certainly always one of those in my book.
They filmed FURY just up the road from where I am, and it was then that I realised the tight operating area inside for the crew, and what that must have been like when a TIGER was spotted. The panic that must have gone through that space must have been horrendous.
It was only when the 88mm gun was fitted did the Sherman really hold its own, but what a marvellous tank. If you haven't see FURY yet...........highly recommended to fully understand how brave these crews were

[Seaspriter]

It's not fair to say the M-4 Sherman was inferior because it was not the equal of a German Tiger tank in 1 to 1 combat. The Sherman was not designed for anti-tank warfare, it was designed to be highly mobile, very reliable, and excellent support for infantry operations. It could be produced in mass production (nearly 30,000 produced in 1943), loaded on transport ships to cross the Atlantic, and reliable in the field with a great V-8 engine.

While the Shermans charged on with better range and mobility than their opponents, the Tigers were strong on firepower and armour, but lacking in mobility and too many were broken down, unable to perform. It's like a sports team that has heavy duty players who are out of condition and injured.

A Tiger could travel 60 miles on 150 gallons of gas, compared to the Sherman's range of 120 miles on 175 gallons. In a race car competition, the Tiger would be in the pits refueling twice as many times as a Sherman.

And the Tiger weighed in a whopping 68.5 tonnes, compared to less than half that for the Sherman. It meant that may Tigers couldn't cross many bridges in Europe, having to take alternative routes. For its limits, history proved the Sherman to be the better choice.