M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

Discussions on all aspects of the United States of America during the Inter-War era and Second World War. Hosted by Carl Schwamberger.
Post Reply
User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#1

Post by Interbellum » 10 Dec 2018, 17:37

Hello, guys!

I am searching the info about two US medium tanks M4A3(75) Sherman from the 69th Tank Battalion, 6th Armored Division - 1) Registration No. 3081563 (inscription Caballero on both hull sides) and 2) Tactical No. 50 on both hull sides. Any additional photos and info about their combat career and crewmembers are very welcome. I know only that they were fought in January 1945 in Belgian Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge, and the first one was knocked out by German shell.

Thank you very much in advance!
Regards, Sasha
Attachments
M4A3 Sherman.jpg
M4A3 Sherman.jpg (52.54 KiB) Viewed 1882 times
M4A3 Sherman (2).jpg
M4A3 Sherman (2).jpg (43.98 KiB) Viewed 1882 times
Last edited by Interbellum on 11 Dec 2018, 03:46, edited 2 times in total.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#2

Post by Interbellum » 10 Dec 2018, 18:33

Registration number USA 3081563 means that this M4A3 (75)W Sherman was produced by Fisher Body Corporation in March 1944.


OpanaPointer
Financial supporter
Posts: 5643
Joined: 16 May 2010, 15:12
Location: United States of America

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#3

Post by OpanaPointer » 10 Dec 2018, 19:13

Interbellum wrote:
10 Dec 2018, 18:33
Registration number USA 3081563 means that this M4A3 (75)W Sherman was produced by Fisher Body Corporation in March 1944.
Was that factory in Detroit? (Y-donor used to work for "Fishy Buddy".)
Come visit our sites:
hyperwarHyperwar
World War II Resources

Bellum se ipsum alet, mostly Doritos.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#4

Post by Interbellum » 10 Dec 2018, 19:27

Yes, Fisher Body Co. was a US car coachbuilder in Detroit (Michigan), but AFAIK the factory Fisher Tank Arsenal (opened in 1942), which produced 11,358 (23%) Shermans during the war including 3,071 M4A3, was located in Grand Blanc (Michigan). In the book “The Sherman: design and development” by P. Stansell and K. Laughlin (2013) there is a mention that Fisher produced a batch of 339 Shermans in March 1944 with the R/N USA 3081273 - USA 3081611 (S/N 48676 - 49014).

This is the late-production version of M4A3 (75-mm gun) with wet ammunition stowage, the simplified 47-degree hull front, larger hatches for driver and assistant driver, the modernized turret with a loader's oval hatch and extended track end connectors known as “duckbills” to reduce ground pressure. It is equipped also with high-capacity dish road wheels (except second to last on the left side), which was probably a later addition, as such road wheels began to be used since summer 1944.

Here is the same photo of the tank R/N USA 3081563, but with a bit larger perspective view. German shell penetrated the hull through from the left upper hull side and tore off the 2nd two-wheel bogie and the track on the right side...As the hatches are open, may be the crewmembers could sucessfully escape the damaged tank, but it is also possible that the hatches were opened later, when US soldiers recovered the tank after battle and made a photo of it....But I guess that the first assumption is most possible as the open hatch of assistant driver/bow gunner is snow-covered which means that the knocked tank stayed on the battlefield with open hatches for a relatively long period of time, at least several days. Nevertheless, the doors of engine compartment were opened, most probably, later, when the disabled tank was found and recovered. Any opinions? Interesting, are there any known photos of this tank in a good condition, before Battle of the Bulge?
Attachments
M4A3 Sherman (3).jpg
M4A3 Sherman (3).jpg (22.31 KiB) Viewed 1873 times
Last edited by Interbellum on 11 Dec 2018, 18:00, edited 20 times in total.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#5

Post by Interbellum » 10 Dec 2018, 20:11

I found a little bit more info - this combat as a frontline breakthrough took place at Longvilly village (six miles northeast of Bastogne), Belgium, in mid January 1945. The knocked tank called Caballero from the 69th Tank Battalion was recovered in late January 1945. See the books "Armored Victory 1945: U.S. Army Tank Combat in the European Theater from the Battle of the Bulge to Germany's Surrender" (2012) and “Battle of the Bulge” (2001) by S. Zaloga, also “The Ardennes 1944-1945: Hitler’s Winter Offensive” (2014) by C. Bergström.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#6

Post by Interbellum » 11 Dec 2018, 13:39

Perhaps, this is the 12th tank of the company С (С-12).
Last edited by Interbellum on 12 Dec 2018, 00:55, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#7

Post by Interbellum » 11 Dec 2018, 21:46

Does anybody know additional info, specially, about fate of crewmembers of that M4A3?

OpanaPointer
Financial supporter
Posts: 5643
Joined: 16 May 2010, 15:12
Location: United States of America

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#8

Post by OpanaPointer » 11 Dec 2018, 22:06

Interbellum wrote:
10 Dec 2018, 19:27
Yes, Fisher Body Co. was a US car coachbuilder in Detroit (Michigan), but AFAIK the factory Fisher Tank Arsenal (opened in 1942), which produced 11,358 (23%) Shermans during the war including 3,071 M4A3, was located in Grand Blanc (Michigan).
Y-donor worked at the Marion, Indiana, plant. Didn't think there was a connection, but asking is knowing.
Come visit our sites:
hyperwarHyperwar
World War II Resources

Bellum se ipsum alet, mostly Doritos.

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#9

Post by Interbellum » 12 Dec 2018, 00:01

Obviously that Caballero was used to support the US infantry on the battlefield as handrails for transportation of infantry ammunition like field bags etc. are visible on the turret sides, also cartridge cases are visible near the tank. Perhaps, the tank crew could survive the German through hit but seems to be that the loader was heavily or mortally wounded...

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#10

Post by Interbellum » 13 Dec 2018, 13:28

Nobody knows the info about actions of 69th Tank Battalion (6th Armored Division of the US Army) at Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgian Ardennes in January 1945?

User avatar
Interbellum
Member
Posts: 118
Joined: 10 Dec 2018, 17:19
Location: Belarus

Re: M4 Sherman ww2 photos and info

#11

Post by Interbellum » 08 Mar 2020, 14:07

Guys, could anybody help with the info about US Army 69th Tank Battalion of 6th Armored Division and its Sherman tanks during the Battle of the Bulge in Belgian Ardennes in January 1945?

Post Reply

Return to “USA 1919-1945”