US M4A3E8 "SHERMAN" WITH 105MM M4 GUN - 1944

Description

The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4A3E8 variant was armed with the 105 mm M4 howitzer, which provided even more powerful high explosive armament. This variant was employed in three-vehicle "assault gun" platoons in tank battalions to provide close fire support and smoke. Armored infantry battalions were also eventually issued three of these Shermans. The 105 mm-armed variants were of limited use against enemy tanks due to the poor anti-armor performance of the howitzer, which was not intended to fight other tanks, though a high explosive anti-tank (HEAT) round for the 105 mm howitzer was available for self-defense. (Scale : 1/72e)