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The M4 Sherman tank was produced in several variants, a result of mass production spread across several manufacturers and several years. It was also the basis for a number of related vehicles and Shermans have been modified by several nations, ranging from upgrades to complete hull conversions for another task. Originally designed in 1941, M4 variants were still used by Israel during the 1967 and 1973 wars with its Arab neighbors.[1]
The many special duties that a tank might be made to do were just being explored by armies around the world in the early 1940s. Theories of what vehicles were supposed to be engaging enemy tanks changed as vehicles like the Sherman often found themselves up against enemy armor, and consequently some of the most important initial changes centered around up-gunning the basic vehicle. Improving the vehicle's mobility, protection, and creating specific variants for infantry-support roles soon followed. Similar modification of the main armament would be done by the British, who received a number of Shermans through Lend-Lease during the course of the war, producing the Sherman Firefly tank (armed with a powerful 17-pounder tank gun).
Many early variants of the Sherman were converted to armored personnel carriers (called "Kangaroos") or armoured recovery vehicles.
In preparation for the invasion of Europe by Allied forces in 1944, an amphibious "swimming" version of the Sherman was used. Extensive work on creating mine-clearance devices to be attached to Shermans in some fashion was also conducted up until the end of the Second World War, such as the Sherman Crab mine-flail tank.
After the Second World War, large numbers of surplus Shermans were supplied to other nations, most primarily to Africa, South America and the Middle East. Israel became the largest post-war user of Sherman tanks, conducting extensive modifications to keep them in frontline service right up into the early 1970s as tanks, mobile artillery pieces, armored ambulances and many more versions. Many saw action in the 1967 Six-Day War and 1973 October War. Similar modifications and purchases of Israeli-modified Shermans were done in South America where they served on as the last fighting Shermans right up until 1989.
There are many variants of the Sherman, ranging from the M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3 and M4A4, which also encompass many sub-variants (such as the M4 (105) or M4A3E8 "Easy Eight", among others).
- ^ "Medium Tank M4 Sherman". The Online Tank Museum. Tank Encyclopedia. 28 November 2014. Retrieved 26 February 2021.