Sherman information page

History of the Sherman in the IDF

The opening phases of WW2 found all of the Allies woefully unprepared for armoured warfare. Most tanks in Britain and the US still mounted machine guns as primary weapons. Doctrine still saw the Tank as a support unit for infantry even after the Nazi Blitz across france and into Russia. For most of the war the allies would play catch up with Germany in terms of weapon caliber and thickness of armour. The allies would also fight within their own ranks between those that saw the tank as infantry support or those that were proponents of TD tanks rather than upgunning the Sherman for tank vs. tank fighting. While all these problems contributed to the murder of countless tankers by their respective commanders and nations. The difference really came down to two different philosophies on tank design and logistics.

The philosophy of Germany reagarding tank design was one of building the most powerful, armoured and engineered tank, capable of taking on all comers. While the Allies and more specifically the US chose a different route in designning a basically simple sound tank with a medoicre weapon, thus accomplishing two things. Allowing vast numbers to be produced with for the most part only minor changes and two ease of maintnance in the field. This impacted greatly the out come of the war as follows . Germany who had comparitively limited supply resources couldn't replace as quickly combat losses. This is especially true concidering the myriad of tank types used by Germany, which also great ly impacted logistical supply of spare parts.

While Germany kept on looking for the perfect tank, the US designed the M4 Sherman tank. Initialy armed with a short 75mm gun, it would eventualy mount the 76mm gun with longer barrel and muzzle break as on the M4a3e8. The sherman was produced in numerous subvariants and specialty types. All of which however kept the basic hull and engines . The basic variants were the M4, M4a1, M4a2, M4a3 and M4a4. While different variants had minor changes in engine, nose, welded vs cast hulls and turrets, all kept to the basic shape and had a large list of common parts. By the end of hostilities in 1945 tens of thousands of Sherman had been built. Sherman tanks had If not bested all comers at least outlasted them The Sherman had fought in weather as hot as the Saharan desert to the frozen tundra of Russia.

Following WW2 the Sherman was used by numerous countries. Its basic design and ease of operation has kept it in service into the new milenium. Even today Israeli modified Shermans mounting 60mm HV guns protect Chilean borders. Israel was by far the largest user of the Sherman post WW2, retiring the last from reserve units in the late 80s. In Israeli hands the sherman once again bested tanks from its old nemesis the PZ4 to the Russian T-62. Israel added to the list of 'funnies" as well, building numerous specialty variants to fit its needs. Many of these are now on display at the Latrun museum in Israel.

Israel received her first shermans through various means including stealing them or buying demiliterized versions from European scrapyards. by the Suez crisis in 1956 Israel was fielding a sizeable fleet including the new M50 with a french modified Panther gun. While the Shermans routed the Egyptians without to much difficulty, the need For a more powerful main gun was evident. this process eventually developed into the M51 with 105mm main gun.

Israel also developed two SP howitzers on Sherman chassis as well as rocket systems of varying calibers. Engineering vehicles were adapted, as were exiting 'Funnies' Like the Crab mine clearing type. others like the cherry picker types were totaly based on homegrown needs. Overall the IDF used just about every subvariant produced , not including test or one offs. Just a note here, there never was an Isherman this is totaly a media given name. For a more in depth look at Israeli Shermans pick up Tom Gannon's book thru Darlington Productions*. For General history find R.P. Hunnicutts book.

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Sherman Type and designation in the IDF

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