M4A1 | |
|---|---|
| Betaalt | Usa |
| Type | Medium Tank |
| Période | Wereldoorlog |
| Beschrijving | Album 122 foto's van de tank M4A1 Sherman |
Fotogalerij op een M4A1 Sherman, De Middelgrote Tank M4 est le char américain moyen produit en plus grande quantité pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Près de cinquante mille exemplaires (toutes versions confondues) furent produits. Son surnom de « Sherman », lui est attribué par les Britanniques, quand ils reçoivent leurs premiers exemplaires dans le cadre de la loi de prêt-bail, continuant leur tradition de nommer les chars d’origine américaine d’après le nom d’un général nordiste de la guerre de Sécession célèbre de ce pays. L’US Army adopte par la suite ce surnom, et le Medium Tank M4 heet daarom " M4 Sherman ». Les Soviétiques surnomment les leurs « Emcha ».
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De Medium Tank M4A1 was the first production variant of the iconic M4 Sherman series, which was the most widely produced and utilized tank by the U.S. and Western Allies during World War II. It was named after American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.
Distinguishing Characteristics (M4A1)
- Cast Hull: The M4A1 is easily distinguished from other early Sherman variants (like the M4) by its fully cast, rounded upper hull. This single-piece casting simplified manufacturing but resulted in varying armor thickness and reduced overall armor effectiveness in some areas compared to the later welded hulls.
- Motor: Het werd aangedreven door een Continental R975 C1/C4 nine-cylinder radial gasoline engine, producing 400 horsepower. This engine gave the medium tank good mobility for its time (max speed around 48 km/h or 30 mph).
- Hoofdbewapening: The early M4A1 was typically armed with the 75 mm M3 gun, which fired a high-explosive (HE) round, making it excellent for its primary role: infantry support against soft targets and fortifications. It also fired armor-piercing (AP) rounds.
- Production and Deployment: Over 6,281 units were produced in the standard 75mm version. The M4A1 saw its first combat with the British Army at the Second Battle of El Alamein in late 1942, and later in the U.S. Army’s Operation Torch in North Africa.
Role and Legacy
While later German heavy and medium tanks (like the Tiger and Panther) often surpassed the Sherman in terms of firepower and armor, the M4’s overall design emphasized reliability, ease of maintenance, and mass production. The ability to keep Shermans running and supply them in huge numbers across multiple theaters was a crucial strategic advantage for the Allies.
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