synonymSherman Tank (Sherman tank) generally refers to M4 medium tank
M4 Medium Tank[1], nickname: Sherman, transliteration: Sherman, also known as M4 Sherman tank[7]）Yesthe Second World WarHourU.S.AA medium tank developed and equipped.
M4 medium tank is developed on the basis of M3 medium tank. Its body, engine, turretTank gunDifferent equipment configurations are selected for suspension, crawler, etc. The parts constituting the body are highly compatible.M4 medium-sized tank, with a total weight of 30.3 tons, is equipped with a 75mm caliber gun and three machine guns, equipped with a 350 horsepower gasoline engine, with a maximum speed of 38 kilometers per hour and a maximum travel of 178 kilometers[10]。
M4 medium-sized tank was developed in August 1940, finalized in September 1941 and named M4 "Sherman" medium-sized tank, and mass production equipment was produced in 1942US militaryAnd then put a lot of money into the war.This tank is one of the largest tanks in World War II, with a total output of 49234 of each model[9]。
In 1920, during the implementation of the National Defense Law, the United States developed and finalized the M2 medium-sized tank, which was the only medium-sized tank equipped by the American army before World War II.M2 medium-sized tank is mainly characterized by the adoption of welded turret and body.The tank was only equipped with a small amount of US troops. It was intended to be put into mass production in 1940 but was soon eliminated. It was replaced by M3 medium-sized tanks with stronger firepower and protection.In order to solve the problem of insufficient firepower of M2 medium tank, the United States has improved M2 tank, thickened its armor, retained 37mm gun and added a 75mm gun on the right front side of the vehicle body[12]。The improved tank was finalized as M3 medium tank in July 1940.In April 1941, Chrysler, Rolling Stock Company and Baldwin Rolling Stock Factory of the United States produced M3 test model vehicles. In August, mass production officially began. In the same year, M3 was included in the equipment of the U.S. military. By December 1942, 2581 M3 medium-sized tanks had been produced[1][2]。
On the eve of World War II, European and American armies were exploring the tactical thinking of armored forces, of which only Soviet and German armored tactics were tested in actual combat.The originator of the US armored tactics was Lieutenant General Lesley McNair, who was then the commander in chief of the ground forces.The core of the armored tactics he advocated was the division of labor and cooperation between the two tanks.The main task of the M4 medium tank planned by the US military is to attack the enemy's infantry rather than the tank, which leads to the problem of insufficient firepower of the M4 tank[10]。
Development history
On August 29, 1940, the United States began to develop a new type of tank according to operational needs.In view of the shortcomings of M3 medium tank, the US military requires that the 75mm gun be mounted on the rotating turret, and the code is T6 medium tank.
In September 1941, T6 tank was finalized and officially named M4 medium tank, whose nickname "Sherman" was the United StatesCivil WarThe name of General William Sherman, the famous general of the period.Although the fire power of the initial model of M4 medium tank is slightly insufficient, it is firm, reliable and durable.During the whole World War II, M4 medium-sized tanks became the backbone of the US tank force.At that time, because the US military was not equipped with heavy tanks like the German and Soviet armies, M4 was sometimes used as a heavy tank.
Since 1942, M4 medium-sized tanks have been put into service in batches.M4 Sherman is not the medium tank with the best performance in World War II, but the huge number of equipment plusMontgomery、BartonThe command and application of such famous generals make them play an important role in the weapon equipment sequence of the Allies.The main equipment of the Third Armored Division under the command of General Patton is M4 tanksNormandy LandingIt has played an important role in the subsequent battles.
According to statistics, US M4 medium-sized tanks produced 49234 in total[2][9]。
M4 tank
Technical characteristics
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overall design
The initial type of M4 medium-sized tank has a total combat weight of 30.4 tons and a crew of 5 people (vehicle commander, artillery commander, driver, loader and co driver cum mechanic).The tank is improved and developed on the basis of M3 tank, and its overall design, chassis layout and operational parts are very similar.The turret of M4 tank is an integrally cast turret with arc transition, which is much larger in size than M3 turret[1][9]。
M4 medium tank adopts several leading technologies: first, the turret rotating device is the fastest in World War II, and it only takes 15 seconds to rotate one week, which enables M4 medium tank to quickly respond and shoot to destroy opponents in close tank warfare.Secondly, M4 medium-sized tanks are still the few tanks equipped with gun vertical stabilizers in World War II. They can accurately aim at the target and fire guns while moving, which is beneficial to mobile operations[4][10]。
M4 medium tank
Firepower system
The main weapon of M4 medium tank is a M3 75mm gun with 97 rounds of ammunition.Artillery shells include armour piercing shells (35%), grenades (55%) and smoke bombs (10%).The auxiliary weapons on the tank are three machine guns: one 7.62mm parallel machine gun, one 7.62mm forward machine gun and one 12.7mm anti-aircraft machine gun. The ammunition base is 12.7mm 500 rounds and 7.62mm 4750 rounds.
The artillery of M4 medium tank has high and low stabilizers.The turret is driven by a motor, and it only takes 15 seconds to rotate 360 degrees.At the top of the turret, there is also a 51mm grenade launcher with short barrel, carrying 12 rounds[1][9]。
M4 medium tank was initially equipped with 75mm L/40 artillery. When launching the early M72 armor piercing projectile, it can penetrate 60mm/30 ° steel plate at a distance of 914m. Its armor piercing ability is better than that of the Soviet UnionT-34 tankEarlier models of the 76mm F34 gun were slightly stronger.But in the face of the German army's heavy armorTank 4H-type 80mm front armor can only be effectively broken down at 100m.After 1944, a large number of M4 medium-sized tanks were equipped with M61 new armor piercing projectiles, which improved the armor piercing performance of inclined armor and surface hardened armor, and penetrated 94mm 30 ° steel plates at a depth of 500 meters.However, there is a long way to go against German No. 4 tank J-type, Tiger type and Panther tank[1]。
Sherman M4A1 tank
Protection system
M4 medium tank equipped with 75mm gun
The body of the M4 medium tank is a cast and welded hybrid structure. The turret is an integral cast part. The armor on the front of the turret is the thickest, up to 89mm. Its water jacket shell chamber has a certain role in preventing the induced explosion of ammunition[1][9]。
The front armor of M4 medium tanks and modified M4A1 and M4A2 tanks is 51mm thick and 56 ° inclined.The sides are 38 mm vertical.The front armor of the turret is 76.2mm thick.The front armor of M4A2, M4A3, M4A3E8 type M4 medium-sized tanks in the later stage is 63.5mm thick and 47 ° inclined.The sides are 38 mm vertical.Front armor of turret is 89mm thick[1]。
dynamic system
M4 medium tank engine
The power unit of the initial model of M4 medium-sized tank is the "Continental" R975 9-cylinder air-cooled gasoline engine, with a maximum power of 350 horsepower.The US military subsequently installed four different models of engines, including gasoline engine and diesel engine, on various modified vehicles of the M4 series.The gearbox of the tank is mechanical, with five forward gears and two reverse gears, and the second to fifth gears have synchronizers.The tank action part adopts a balanced suspension device. Six load wheels on each side are divided into three groups, with the driving wheel in front and the inducer behind.Each track has 79 track shoes, which are all steel tracks or rubber tracks.The maximum speed of M4 medium tank is 40 km/h, and the maximum travel is 190 km[1][9]。
M4A2 medium-sized tank once helped the Soviet Union and won the praise of the Soviet army. Its closed radiator has the characteristics of effectively using engine power at low power. The unique five leaf radiator has different fan angles, which can reduce noise when running at high speed and make the tank have better concealment[10]。
M4 medium tank
performance data
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M4 medium tank reference data
Basic parameters
Full combat weight
33.65 tons
Vehicle height
2.97m
Vehicle commander
7.54m
Vehicle width
3.0m
engine
Ford GAA gasoline engine
Maximum speed road/off-road
38 km/h;21 km/h
Maximum travel road/off-road
178 km/90 km
Standard Crew
5 persons
weaponry
Main gun
75mm M3 tank gun, 76mm M1A1 tank gun, 76mm M1A2 tank gun
There are 8 improved M4 medium-sized tanks: M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A3E2, M4A3E8, M4A4, M4A6 and M4E6. The main difference between these models is that the artillery and engine types are different.In addition, mobile devices have also been improved.There are 11 types of M4 medium-sized tanks and 32 models of variant vehicles, including amphibious tanks, rocket tanks, flamethrower tanks, blasting tanks, mine sweeping tanks, armored bridge vehicles, armored rescue vehicles, self-propelled cannons, self-propelled howitzers, etc[1][2]。
The later version of the M4 medium-sized tank is the British version nicknamed "Firefly" tank, which is equipped with 76.2mm artillery (it can face German Tiger and Panther tanks at a distance of 1000 meters). It once destroyed three Tiger tanks (there is a saying that the car of Tiger ace Weitmann was also destroyed by fireflies)[11]。
UK refitted "Firefly" medium-sized tank
M4A3E2
M4A3E2 medium-sized tank, nicknamed JUMBO (Big Mac), has enhanced armor protection, 102 mm front armor (50 mm for M4 medium-sized tanks at the early stage), 152 mm turret, 178 mm shield, and 148 mm armor even for the differential gear box.The thickest part of the armor is more than the German Tiger tank (the thickest armor is 110mm), the American armyM26 heavy tank(The thickest armor is 114 mm), British comet tank (the thickest armor is 102 mm), Soviet armyIS-2 heavy tank(The thickest armor is 120mm), which is hard to be destroyed in battle.As the US military is preparing to equip M26 heavy tanks, JUMBO stopped production early after producing 254.M4A3E2 also replaced many 76mm M1A2 guns in the Korean War[8]。
M4 medium tank and subsequent models M4A3 and M4A3E8 are equipped with 105mm howitzers for infantry support, and M4A3E2 also uses 105mm howitzers[6]。
British M4A4 tank
M4A3E8
M4 medium tank is the last improved M4A3E8 tank. Its various capabilities are balanced. In terms of overall improvement in firepower, armor and mobility, it can be compared with the Soviet T-34/85 medium tank and the German No. 4 tank.M4A3E8 medium tank uses a new HVSS (which is a distinctive feature distinguishing it from ordinary M4 medium tank) suspension system (horizontal suspension system).Therefore, M4A3E8 is also called M4A3 (76W) (76 guns) HVSS.The weight of M4A3E8 overwhelmed the original VVSS suspension device (vertical suspension system), but the new HVSS can reduce the shaking of M4A3E8, which became heavier due to the increase of armor and the improvement of artillery, while the widened track reduces the ground pressure.In addition to the difference of suspension system, M4A3E8 also strengthens the defense and manufacturing productivity, and E8 uses wet ammunition magazine to reduce the risk of inducing explosion of ammunition magazine.The M4A3E8 is equipped with a 76.2mm gun. In order to resist the recoil force of the 76mm gun, the US military also installed a new type of brake.The main gun of M4A3E8 is a 76 mm 54.5 times diameter gun. The HVAP armor piercing projectile can penetrate 139 mm steel plates at 500 meters, and its penetration is even better than that of the German Panther tank using ordinary armor piercing projectile.The front armor of M4A3E8 is integrally formed, which has high bulletproof performance.Its armor reaches 64mm and 90mm equivalent depth after converting 47 ° inclination angle. Its protection is close to that of T-34/85 tank, while the ability of 47 ° high inclination angle to resist armour piercing projectile and high-speed armour piercing projectile is higher than that of 30 ° inclination angle.After the above modifications, the total weight of M4A3E8 tank is more than 33 tons, but the speed still reaches 42 kilometers per hour[5]。
This type of dual drive tank is actually an amphibious tank.The water propulsion device is two screw propeller with diameter of 660mm installed at the rear of the car body, and the maximum speed on water can reach 8~10km/h.The special feature of this kind of DD tank is that it floats across the enclosing tent.As M4 tank does not have floating capacity, it must increase the buoyancy by increasing the drainage volume. One of the methods is to use floating to enclose the tent.The floating boat tent is made of waterproof canvas, and 36 rubber tubes around it play a key role.When the pipe is filled with compressed air, the tent can be propped up within 15 minutes.stayNormandy LandingM4DD tank once showed its ability in battle[9]。
Sectional view of M4A4 medium tank
T31 blasting tank
There are many kinds of M4 series armored engineering vehicles, among which the more famous is T94 rocket launcher, also known as T31 blasting tank.This kind of blasting tank is specially used for engineering blasting.Its casting turret is equipped with two 182 type 88mm rocket launch tubes, which have a unique shape.The barrel in the middle is a wooden model of a 105mm howitzer, which seems to scare "devils".In addition, install two 7.62mm machine guns on the spherical machine gun base.T31 blasting tank was successfully developed on the basis of M4A3 tank. It was made into a sample vehicle in 1945, but failed to be mass produced[9]。
Crab minesweeping tank
M4 flamethrower tank
Among the variant vehicles of M4 tank, mine sweeping tanks account for a large proportion, including rolling mine sweeping tanks, plough type and chain flail type mine sweeping tanks.Among them, the "crab" type minesweeping tank is more famous.It looks like a "steel crab". When it is not in use, it lifts up the roller. When sweeping mines, it turns the roller through power, drives 43 iron chains to crack for a while, and then can detonate all mines.The disadvantage of the mine sweeping tank is that it will raise a lot of dust when striking, which will affect the tank crew to observe the battlefield situation."Crab" minesweeping tank played a great role in the Normandy landing operation[9]。
Service dynamics
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Train installation
Sherman with wooden boards in the Pacific battlefield
During and after the Second World War, M4 medium-sized tanks and their various derivatives were used in the following countries and regions in addition to serving in the United States Army and the United States Marine Corps:
Argentina, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Cuba, Denmark, Egypt, Ethiopia, France (Free France), Nazi Germany (captured), Greece, India, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Italy (post-war), Indonesia, Japan (post-war), Jordan, Laos, Lebanon, Malta, MexicoMyanmar, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, the Philippines, Poland (exile government), Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Syria, South Africa, South Korea, the Soviet Union (lease), Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Turkey, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Vietnam, Yemen, Yugoslavia, etc[1]。
Participate in actual combat
World War II Battlefield
Sherman Tank of the US Army in India
In the spring of 1942, M4 medium-sized tanks first appeared in the North African battlefield.At that time, the tanks equipped by the German African Corps in Rommel were mainlyTank 3And a small amountTank 4Long body tube type, No. 3 tank is the model with the largest number of African legions, but it can only penetrate the armor of M4 medium-sized tanks within 500 meters.So the M4 medium-sized tank has unquestionable battlefield dominance, and the British armyBattle of AlamanUsed extensively in.After the battle, the German commanderRommel"The enemy's new M4 medium tank is more advanced than all our models." In fact, Germany has only a few weapons that can penetrate the M4 medium tank armor from the front 1000 meters away in the North African battlefield, such asTiger TankPak40 anti tank gun and No. 4 tank F2.
June 1944Battle of Normandy M4 medium tank in German armyTiger heavy tankandPanther tankWe are at a disadvantage.Its first battle was in North Africa. After 12 days of fierce fighting, the British army defeated the German African Corps.At that time, the ratio of casualties between German and British tanks was 1 to 4, that is, the British army had to pay 4 tanks to destroy 1 German tank.During the landing in Tunisia, the M4 tank of the US Army also came on the scene, making contributions to driving German and Italian fascists out of North Africa.Since then, M4 medium-sized tanks have been seen everywhere in Europe and the Pacific.The first tanks D-DAY landed in Normandy were hundreds of M4DD amphibious tanks, which became the vanguard of the Allies to victory.
In the Pacific theater, the M4A2 tank is also a nightmare for the Japanese army. In the battles in Saipan, Iwo Jima, Okinawa and other places in the Pacific battlefield, the Japanese army basically has no frontal firepower to directly confront the M4 medium tank series. To destroy the M4 series tanks, it is usually effective to rely on well concealed anti tank guns to kill at close range or even engage in human flesh attacks,Another anti tank weapon used by the Japanese army is magnetic explosives, for which the US Marine Corps needs to install wood plates on the body of the M4A2.
The Soviet Union preferred to use M4 medium-sized tanks equipped with diesel engines, because its tanks such as T-34 also use diesel engines.Therefore, it is a country that, following the British Association, uses M4A2 equipped with 75mm short barrel artillery and 76mm long barrel artillery in large numbers.Unlike Britain, M4A2 accounted for more than half of the M4 medium-sized tanks owned by the Soviet Union.M4 medium tanks using HVSS suspension system were not accepted and used until the end of the war[10]。
In 1945, after the end of World War II, the United States basically eliminated other types of M4 tanks except M4A3E8 equipped with 76mm long barrel guns or 105mm howitzers. The remaining tanks were sold as military supplies except for being abandoned in the battlefields of various countries[8]。
M4A3E2 medium tank fleet of the US Army
After World War II
During the Korean War from 1950 to 1953, M4 medium-sized tanks were still commonly used by the US military.The 1954 survey of the United States showed that there were 119 tank to tank battles during the Korean War, 104 of which were attended by army tank units and 15 by marine tanks.Among them, there were 59 (50%) wars involving M4A3E8, 38 (32%) wars involving M26, 12 (10%) wars involving M46, and 10 (8%) wars involving M24.There were only 24 cases in which more than three North Korean T-34 or SU-76M participated in the war. In these battles, 34 American tanks were destroyed, and only 15 were irrecoverable losses.While 97 T-34/85 were confirmed to have been destroyed by tanks, 18 of them were not confirmed by the US military.39% of T-34/85 destroyed were M26 heavy tanks, 12% were M46 "Patton" medium tanks, and most of the rest were destroyed by M4.According to the US statistics of T-34's personnel losses, 75% of them were killed after the tanks were destroyed, while the US tank crew died after being destroyed at 18%. Of course, there is a reason why Americans are used to repeatedly bombarding destroyed tanks.
American M4A3E8 medium tank was used in the Korean War in 1951
The Yugoslav People's Army obtained a total of 630 M4 medium-sized tanks from the United States, which were used in the 1960s until T-54/55 medium-sized tanks entered the Yugoslav People's Army camp.However, in the 1990s, there were still a few M4 Sherman tanks in the civil war in Yugoslavia[7]。
The post-war M4 medium-sized tanks also served in many countries in the world and participated in several regional conflicts at the end of the 20th century.Some countries (especiallyIsrael）The M4 tank was modified with new weapons to enable it to continue to fight on the battlefield, while various derivative types were replaced by newer support vehicles in some countries only after the 1970s.The M4A3E8 type used by Japan was supplied to the Japanese Land Self Defense Force according to the MSA agreement, and it was not until the mid-1970s that it wasType 61 tankReplace completely.IsraeliIsrael Defense Forces The M-50 "Super Sherman" with legal 75mm gun and M51 tank with 105mm gun are widely equipped, as well as many other modified and derivative vehicles.M4 medium tanks are also usedThe Second Battle of Kashmirandthe war between India and Pakistan(1971).South AmericaM4 medium tanks were still used for a long time after the war.ChileThe army listed M4 medium-sized tanks as active equipment until 1989, andParaguayIt is a country in South America that continues to equip M4 medium-sized tanks[1]。
M4 medium tank
Overall evaluation
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M4 medium tank has many advantages and adopts advanced technology.First of all, M4 medium tank is the most reliable tank in World War II. Its power system is not as strong and durable as that of Soviet tanks, and German tanks are beyond reach.The German tiger and leopard tanks need to be overhauled every 1000 km, and the tanks must be transported back to the factory for overhaul.M4 medium tank only needs the most basic field maintenance.Reliable performance and few failures make the attendance rate of American tanks higher than that of German tanks.M4 medium-sized tanks can be produced in large quantities and greatly reduce costs.
The mechanized decisive battle in the Second World War, because the possession of M4 medium-sized tanks is a ticket to the "steel contest".The total production of M4 medium-sized tanks reached 49234. M4 series medium-sized tanks created a miracle in the history of western tank production. M4 tanks played a significant role in tank wars on the European continent.However, under the impact of the "army demobilization tide" that began in 1945, thousands of M4 medium-sized tanks were either disassembled into scrap iron for sale or used as sentry blockhouses on the restored European border[6]。
Due to the strong air power of the US military, the German army suffered a lot.The air supremacy can greatly offset the advantages of German tanks in quality and bring huge casualties to the other side.In addition, the M4 medium tank has excellent mobility and often attacks the enemy behind the side. It is basically competent, so the need to replace the M4 medium tank is not so urgent.Many troops use medium or even early M4 medium tanks until the end of the war, and huge losses are inevitable.However, the later M4 medium-sized tanks can bring huge trouble to the enemy just like the Soviet tanks, not worse than other medium-sized tanks.And after World War IIKorean WarandMiddle East WarIn the middle, M4 medium tank is never inferior to other medium tanks, and even has a slight advantage[6]。（Comments on International Outlook）
Due to the limitation of design idea, the initial M4 medium tank has less artillery power, which is insufficient compared with the German "leopard" and "tiger" tanks at the same time.However, the tank is famous for its reliability, practicality and large number, and occupies an important position in the history of tank development in the world.The view of the United States at that time was that the main task of the tank forces was to expand the results of the war, and they were not required to fight against enemy tanks.In addition, the United States also believes that only tanks that are easy to maintain and reliable to use are successful tanks.The operational performance of M4 medium tank may not be comparable to that of the tanks of the Soviet Union and Germany at the same time, but it is simple in structure, convenient for mass production and maintenance, and not complicated in training. The advantage in the number of tanks also laid an important foundation for the Allies to win the victory of World War II[2]。（Comments on Foreign Tanks）
