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M4

The M4 Sherman, formally Medium Tank, M4, was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. Thousands were also distributed to the Allies, including the British Commonwealth and Soviet armies, via lend-lease. In the United Kingdom, the M4 was named after Union General William Tecumseh Sherman, following the British practice of naming their American-built tanks after famous American Civil War generals. Subsequently the British name found its way into common use in the U.S.

M4 Sherman in Days of Infamy

The M4 Sherman was brought to Hawaii by the US Marines when they landed on the islands in early 1943. The M4 was vastly superior to all tanks the Japanese fielded, and the only M4 casualties were because of suicidal petrol bomb and grenade attacks.

M4 Sherman in The Hot War

In April, 1952, during World War III, the United States gave surplus M4 Shermans to the West German militia. The Shermans were vulnerable to the Soviets' T-54s. In a battle east of Warberg, several Shermans were destroyed by T-54s in short order.[1]

M4 Sherman in Joe Steele

During World War II, the U.S. deployed M4 Shermans both in the European and Pacific theaters. While they were deathtraps against German panzers, the Japanese had nothing to match it although they still were vulnerable to mines.[2]

When the Japanese War broke out a few years later, the Soviet T-34/85 supplied to North Japan outclassed the US Army's Shermans with a kill ratio of one T-34/85 for every two to three Shermans. The Soviet tank was faster, had better armor and a more powerful gun. The Americans had better fire control but it didn't matter if the round didn't penetrate. However, the new Pershing outclassed the T-34/85 although not to the same extent and was available in limited numbers.[3]

M4 Sherman in "Topanga and the Chatsworth Lancers"

The Sherman tank was the namesake of Bruce Delgado's war-horse Sherman. As The Change had rendered tanks and all related technology nonexistent, a horse was as close to a tank as one could get in the post Change world.[4]

M4 Sherman in Worldwar

The M4 Sherman was just being introduced into the US Army when the Conquest Fleet arrived. It was thrown into battle against Race Landcruisers, where they suffered heavy losses. They still earned a reputation among Landcruiser crews as being Unending, because they never seemed to stop coming. Some Shermans were modified to carry much bigger guns, to fight the Landcruisers on more equal terms. They saw action in the Battle of Chicago and all across the US.

References

  1. Fallout, loc. 5783-5842, ebook.
  2. Joe Steele, pgs. 312-313, HC.
  3. Ibid, pg. 356.
  4. See eg, The Change: Tales of Downfall and Rebirth, pgs. 455-456, HC.
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