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The M-4 Sherman was the main battle tank of Allied armies. It was deigned (1940). A prototype was ready (September 1941). Production was delzayed as esult of diffuculty of mass producing the turret. Priduction began (February 1942). The first Shermans were planned to go into action with the U.S. Army for the Torch invasion. This changed with the fall of Torbruk to the Africa Korps (June 1942). Prime-Minister Churchill was in Washington at the time. President Roosevelt asked "How can we help?" Churchill replied "Send us tanks." As a result, Field Marshall Montgomery got 300 Shermans which played an important role for the Alamein battle (October 1942). The Amricans landed in Morocco with Suarts and Grants. One of many examples of how effectively the Anglo-American alliance worked. The Commonwealth, Free Frnch, and Polish units fighting with the British also got Shermans. The Sherman was a top-of-the line tank in 1942, but was soon outclassed by new German tanks which were better armored and had more powerful guns. The Panthers and Tigers were more powerful tanks. (The German tanks had some disadvantages, especially that they were gas guzzelers at a time that fuel was a major Germmn problem.) Fortunately armored warfare is not nostky conducted with individul tank duels. The Shermans ware fast, reliable, easy to miuntin and were constantly being upgraded. And most importantly availbke in huge numbers. Nearly 50,000 Shermans were produced -- more than all German tanks combined during the entire War. And the Sherman was constantly being upgraded with Jumbo-Shermans finally reaching Allied tsankers in France. The British cane up with several Sherman variants. The most important being the Firefly with a long brreled 76 mm/3-inch/76.2 mm) calibre 17-pounder anti-tank gun (1943). This was before Anericanntankers got a more powerful gun.
Stout, Wesley W. Tanks are Mighty Fine Things (Chrysler Corporation: 1946).
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