Sherman

The M4 Tank in World War II

Michel Esteve

• Publisher: Casemate
• Year: 2020
• Print ISBN:
  9781612007397
• eBook ISBN:
  9781612007403
• Topic: History
• Subtopic: Military & Maritime History
• Index: History

"A superbly organized, well-written, detailed history of the Sherman tank" with hundreds of photos and diagrams included ( Armor Magazine). The Medium Tank, M4, better known to the British as the Sherman, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and western Allies in World War II. Reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and easy to maintain, thousands were distributed to the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union by the Lend-Lease program. It first saw combat in North Africa, where it outclassed lighter German and Italian tanks. By 1944 the M4 was outgunned by the German heavy tanks, but it still contributed to the fight when deployed in numbers and supported by artillery and fighter-bombers. A detailed insight into the development and deployment of the M4, this book covers the design and construction of the chassis, turret, engine, armaments, and munitions, and differences between the variants of the M4. It covers the difficulties facing the crews who fought in this legendary tank, exploring the training they received and the different combat methods perfected by the Allies, including landing from a landing craft, maneuvering in the bocage of Normandy, and fighting in the snow. Fully illustrated with hundreds of contemporary and modern photographs and detailed diagrams, this complete account provides all the technical details of the construction of the M4, its maintenance and repair, and the logistics required to support it in combat. Whether you are a collector, a modeler, or simply passionate about military history, this book will provide you with an unparalleled insight into the M4. "Period photos, preservation shots, interior details, variant schematics, archival excerpts, armament and ammunition drawings, and more... Make it your introduction to this legendary tank family." — Cybermodeler

Table of contents

• Cover
• Book Title
• Copyright
• Table of Contents
• Foreword
• 1. A Tank Named Sherman
• 2. Production
• 3. The Chassis
• 4. Turrets
• 5. Armament and Ammunition
• 6. The Sherman Crew
• 7. Evolution of the Sherman
• 8. The Sherman Family
• 9. Logistics, Supply, and Backup
• 10. Numbering and Markings
• 11. Unit Composition and Organization
• 12. The Success of the Sherman
• 13. The Sherman Since 1945
• Appendix 1 Military Operations—ETO
• Glossary and Abbreviations
• Sources and Bibliography
• Back Cover