Dennis Oliver

173 photos, 16 color plates There are few more famous WWII tanks than the M4 Sherman. It was arguably the most important tank of the war - if only in terms of numbers built. Over 40,000 were produced by eleven U.S. manufacturers. The Sherman was also to become the mainstay of the British Army's armored force, with the first 252 vehicles arriving in North Africa in time for the Second Battle of El Alamein. These tanks had been stripped from a U.S. division and shipped across the dangerous waters of the Atlantic. This book traces the Sherman in British Army use from those early days in North Africa, through to the final days of WWII in Germany itself. In between are the campaigns waged in Italy, France and Northwest Europe, and even a small section on Burma. Interestingly, with their penchant for naming tanks, it was the British that christened the M4 as the "Sherman", and the moniker has famously stuck. In the introduction the author gives a brief description of all the types used by the UK, including the modified Firefly with its 17pdr gun, a variant that was unique to the British. Curiosities like the Sherman DD and the Crab mine flail tank also make an appearance. Useful notes about the insignia and marking system, as well as camouflage schemes, are given, and these constitute a handy reference guide. The black and white photos are clearly reproduced and show many different types of vehicles in action in a whole range of theaters. The photos are ably supported by sixteen color plates also produced by the author. This is a very helpful guide to the Sherman as used by the British, and it forms a valuable partner to previously released Sherman books in Concord's Armor at War series.… (meer)