![]() ![]() Many of our tank casualties were due to mines and shelling which affected the tracks and suspensions only. However, the period of close fighting wore out the enemy’s armored and anti-tank gun strength, so that our armor had a decisive superiority in the final action between armor on the 4 th November. Mines, anti-tank guns and very heavy concentrations of artillery fire restricted tank movements until such time as a combined infantry and tank attack on the night of November 1 st-2 nd opened up a clear road. Emphasis is placed on the extremely tough nature of the fighting during the period 24 th to 28 th October. In continuance of my last cable relating to the Medium Tank M4 (Sherman) further reports confirm satisfaction. (Paraphrase of the Prime Minister’s message to the President, October 30 1942) Although they have not been used in a very mobile role as yet, great results are expected in use against enemy guns. The 105mm Gun Motor Carriages and ammunition have proven very satisfactory. ![]() There is maximum concealment in the ‘hull down’ position and the commander has good observation. The Special Mk IV enemy tanks are being destroyed with M61 ammunition at ranges up to 2,000 yards.Īccording to first reports from the Western Desert, the Shermans are excellent. (Extract from letter to BAS Washington from Major General, AFV, Middle East) The long gun is magnificent, both in accuracy and in penetration, and the sights are evidently a considerable improvement on the Grant. The Tanks M4 have made a great impression on everyone, and the troops are thrilled with them. (Extracts from Middle East Cable Q (AE) 63086) Would again stress it is vital we receive earliest large numbers M4 regardless of the availability of tools and spares for which we are prepared to wait. Users are giving unstinted praised to all American equipment, particularly M4, which embodies all desired improvements except ideal gun sights. (Paraphrase of a cable received in Washington from Major General, Middle East, to B.A.S. All troops are indicating that there should be more Shermans sent out at the earliest opportunity.Īt the present moment there is no information regarding the use of the stabilizer, and it is not expected that this will be available early as it is still the policy to fire from stationary ‘hull down’ position whenever the opportunity permits. There is concrete evidence that the enemy tanks, including the special PzKw IV (with the long-barrelled higher velocity 75mm gun) has been destroyed up to ranges of 2,000 yards. ![]() The position of the main gun in the turret has made possible the advantage of maximum cover in “hull down” position in addition to good observation by the tank commander. So, in order that these words don't languish unseen again by human eyes, I present them below as extract and citation The entiire group below was collated December 11 1942.Ĭonfirmation has been received by reports from the Western Desert, indicating great satisfaction with the M4 Medium Tank (Sherman). The purpose of the collection, however, and the fact that they are generally all cherry-picked good stuff (the page for 1944 which I may put up later does actually state some negatives), does not, however, mean that the source information was wrong, or that the people making the reports did not honestly mean what they said when they reported them. Hidden in the depths of one of the back boxes of Ordnance's archive materials is a small folder entitled "Press Release." Given the contents of that folder, I can only assume that the segments which follow had been extracted from field reports for use in either the media, or Congress, to blow Ordnance's trumpet. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |