Full Name | Medium Tank, M4 |
Class | Heavy Vehicle |
Movement | 5 |
Armor Value | 4 |
Vs Infantry (RNG / FPR) | 5/6 |
Vs Vehicle (RNG / FPR) | 8/10 |
Traits | |
Period | Early 1944-1945 |
Theaters of Service |
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The M4 Sherman (and variants) was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The type proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. The U.S. produced 49,234 in many variants, with thousands distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth and Soviet Union. Designers stressed mechanical reliability; ease of production and maintenance; durability; and standardization of parts and ammunition in a limited number of variants. The type served in all theaters during World War II. A crew of five operated the vehicle. The up-gunned M4A2(76)W and M4A3(76)W variants were armed with the 76 mm M1 (L/52) main gun, which provided significantly more stopping potential against heavily-armored German tanks than the 75 mm M3 (L/40) gun. The gun fired a variety of armor-piercing rounds, and also a high-explosive round for soft targets. These M4 Sherman variants also carried one .50 caliber and two .30 caliber Browning machine guns. These variants had a top speed of 29 mph. About 3,246 M4A2(76)W and M4A3(76)W variants were built starting March 1944, and 2,095 of these equipped Soviet forces on the Eastern Front beginning fall 1944. The type also served with Commonwealth forces. This unit represents all these variants.