Existing comment:
M4 Sherman Tank:
M4 Sherman tanks were effective weapons in the Pacific Theater, confronting Japanese armor, reinforced caves, and pillboxes.
In late 1941, the gasoline-powered, eight-cylinder Ford engine was tested for use in tanks. In January 1942, the Army's Ordnance Committee authorized the use of the Ford engine in the Sherman tank and designated the new version the M4A3. Manned by a crew of five, the M4A3, seen here, mounted a 75mm gun, a .50 caliber machine gun, and two .30 caliber light machine guns.
In May 1944, the term "light" was dropped from designations of the 1st through 5th Tank Battalions with the intent of replacing the light tanks with which the battalions were equipped. By the end of 1944, the Stuart tanks and early model Shermans had been replaced by the M4A3 in most units. |