Initially known as the T6 Medium Tank, the M4 "General Sherman" would go on to become one of the most important and most produced tanks of WW2 and was only out produced by the Soviet T34. Seeing battle on all fronts and in a plethora of forms, the tank would become one of either fond or awful memory to the soldiers who handled it. Often misused and asked to handle tasks usually assigned to heavy tanks in other armies because there was nothing else available. The tank was nimble, reliable, and had superior gun controls - which is part of the reason it was kept around when it should have been replaced. The initial production model's armor and 75mm gun were excellent but fluid battlefield conditions would render it weak and finally obsolete barely a year after introduction in Europe. In the East, the M4 would remain peerless throughout the war. Top row shows the pilot M4, a M4 crew and kit, and a cutaway drawing. Second row shows early and late production 75mm M4A1on the left. The center shows an M4A1 with a composite hull. The right shows the 76mm M4A1. Third row shows the 105mm M4. Production models were called "Ultimate Sherman" or M4E5 and were developed from the M4A4E1. Fourth row shows the M4A2 75mm and 76mm versions. Fifth row shows the 76mm M4A3. Upgunned M4s could penetrate about 1" more armor than the 75mm version. The main armament of all M4s was a cannon in a coaxial mount with a .30cal Browning Machine Gun M1919A4. In addition, a (same model) MG was provided in a ball mount in the bow. All U.S. Army M4s were equipped with a .50cal Browning Machine Gun M2-HB in a pintle mount on the turret. Prototype and early production M4s had a pair of fixed .30cal Browning Machine Guns in a fixed mount in the bow which were deleted as combat showed that they were useless. Crewed by 5 men, about 44,000 were armed with the 75mm Gun M3, 6,465 with the 76mm Gun M1, and 4,180 armed with the 105mm Howitzer M4.
(1) HVSS M4s were built with Horizontal Volute Spring Suspension and wide center guide track. (2) M4s were manufactured with non-interchangeable engines. (3) Transmissions: Manual, 5 speed forward and reverse. (4) The M4A3E2 was a special limited production model with extra heavy armor. A total of 254 were built for use in the European Theater of War by the U.S. Army. Some had their 75mm guns replaced with the 76mm prior to combat. Nicknamed "Jumbo". (5) Early vehicles had a three piece bolted nose and narrow M34 gun mount. Late units had a combination cast/rolled hull front. "105" designator means that the tank was made with both 75, 105mm cannon. British called the late units a Hybrid. (6) Early units had M3 type bogies, M2 75mm gun and counterweights, twin fixed MGs in hull front. Nose altered from the three piece bolted to once piece cast. M34A1 gun mount and sand shields added later. "W" designator denotes wet storage of ammunition to reduce fire hazard. The ammunition was stowed in water protected racks below the turret instead of in the sponsons. Ten boxes on the hull floor held 100 rounds and needed 37.1 gallons of water. a further gallon was needed to protect the four ready rounds. The water contained ethylene glycol to prevent freezing and a corrosion inhibiter known as "Ammudamp". "75" and "76" designator means that the tank was made with both 75 and 76mm cannon. "C" designator indicates British conversion to Firefly model - mounting a British 17pounder main gun. See the Canadian Section of TANKS! for details on the Canadian Grizzly. (7) Most produced M4 model with the majority produced leaving Lend Lease to the British and Soviets. Never had cast/rolled hull. "W" designator denotes wet storage of ammunition to reduce fire hazard. The ammunition was stowed in water protected racks below the turret instead of in the sponsons. Ten boxes on the hull floor held 100 rounds and needed 37.1 gallons of water. a further gallon was needed to protect the four ready rounds. The water contained ethylene glycol to prevent freezing and a corrosion inhibiter known as "Ammudamp". "75" and "76" designator means that the tank was made with both 75 and 76mm cannon. Some units produced with HVSS suspension. "C" designator indicates British conversion to Firefly model - mounting a British 17pounder main gun. (8) One piece cast nose. Mainly retained for U.S. Army. "W" designator denotes wet storage of ammunition to reduce fire hazard. The ammunition was stowed in water protected racks below the turret instead of in the sponsons. Ten boxes on the hull floor held 100 rounds and needed 37.1 gallons of water. a further gallon was needed to protect the four ready rounds. The water contained ethylene glycol to prevent freezing and a corrosion inhibiter known as "Ammudamp". "75", "76", "105" designator means that the tank was made with both 75, 76, and the 105mm cannon. Units produced with HVSS suspension were called "Easy Eights". "C" designator indicates British conversion to Firefly model - mounting a British 17pounder main gun. (9) Three piece bolted nose. (10) Named M4A5 on the American books, the chassis was actually a very heavily modifed M3. No M4A5 tanks were made in the United States or used by American soldiers. |
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Last Update: Thursday, February 13, 2003 |
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