The Sherman tank

The M4 Sherman tank - usually shortened to: Sherman tank - named after US General William T. Sherman, who fought during the Civil War for the Northerners. It was the tank most used by the Allies in World War II. A total of about 49,000 were produced.

The tank There were several variations of the Sherman tank. Almost all of them had a 75-mm cannon as the main armament. The tank was very high, so it was an easy target for enemy tanks and anti-tank guns. Additionally, the armor, especially at the back, was very thin which meant that fuel and engine and stored ammunition could quickly catch fire.

The Sherman was nicknamed the Tommy cooker and Ronson because so many tank crews burned. (Ronson was a brand of lighter with the slogan Lights First Everytime)

Later in the war, water bags were hung around the ammunition, a simple measure that reduced the probability of a tank fire from 60% to 15 %.

Cross section of a Sherman tank
Source: Malyszkz

Sherman tank in Normandy
Source: Publiek Domein

A Sherman tank of the British, a so-called Sherman Firefly. This was equipped with particularly powerful British 17-pounder cannon.
Source: Publiek Domein

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