Chapter Four
The loss of equipment at Dunkirk in 1940 followed by defeat at Gazala, followed by further loss of men and equipment at Tobruk was the catalyst for the introduction of the Sherman tank into the British Army. Prime Minister Winston Churchill received confirmation of the defeat at Tobruk in the presence of President Roosevelt while in Washington. As Roosevelt offered assistance Churchill had only the one request – send as many of the new Sherman tanks as could be spared immediately to North Africa. General Marshall was summoned to the White House and the possibility was fervently explored. Marshall’s initial response was to ship a complete American armoured division straight out to Egypt and the then Major General George S Patton Jr. was ordered to return from the Desert Training Center and mobilize the 2nd Armoured Division for shipment as of immediate effect. The Sherman tank had only recently been standardized and was only then coming into full factory production, so the 2nd Armoured were forced to mix and match tanks from other units to mass at full strength. However, when shipping schedules were investigated further issues arose as it was discovered it would be mid November before the division might arrive in Egypt and this could only be achieved if they survived the crossing while hunted by the U-Boat fleet. The desperate turn of events in North Africa deemed the date of arrival too late to be thought effective in stopping Rommel’s advance.
An alternative plan consisted of sending some three hundred Shermans taken off troops training with them in the continental USA and to ship them sooner, with an additional 100 self-propelled 105mm Howitzers and this was carried out on 15 July 1942 in a special freight convoy from the US. Only a day later one of the ships was torpedoed and sunk and so fifty-two additional tanks were also sent to replenish the loss. Nearly two months later the first 318 tanks intended for combat with the British Army were put ashore at Tel el Kebir in Egypt consisting mainly of M4A1 type with M4A2 in much smaller numbers. The troops awaiting the new armour had already had an opportunity to familiarize themselves with the new weapon as a single Sherman M4A1, armed with the shorter barrelled 75mm M2 gun had arrived some weeks before in enforced secrecy.
British workshops set to work preparing the new shipment of tanks using their experience of desert warfare to date. To their own design, tailored sand shields were added to most of the tanks which were later adopted at the factory at time of manufacture albeit to a slightly altered shape. Constructed of thin sheet steel the intention was to deflect the clouds of dust created by the vehicle in motion. This work however was incomplete by October of 1942 when Montgomery was eager to launch the battle at El Alamein. The Eighth Army had 252 operational Shermans on the start line for the battle, and the remainder of the original 318 shipped out were spread around in the rear units or remained unserviceable in the workshops awaiting parts. These tanks had to be disguised from aerial or mountain top observation as they formed up and a top secret plan named ‘Sun Shield’ was put into operation. This involved a welded and bolted framework being fitted around the girth of the tank that would support a larger square tent like framework and canvas on which the physical attributes of a three ton lorry could be painted. The plan was a resounding success and many of the photographs in this and Chapter 5 demonstrate that the basic frame supports still existed on many of the tanks in case this ruse was required again at a later stage in the war. Of course tanks of other manufacture (780) made up the majority of the armour force for the battle. Some units only received tanks the day before the offensive such were the tight deadlines being worked to.
The first ever tank to tank engagement of the Sherman took place against elements of 15th Panzer Division shortly after the start. Approaching directly toward advancing Shermans of 2nd Armoured Division, who were picking their way through the foot soldiers of the 51st Highland Division the action got underway. German tanks were identified as Panzer III’s and IV’s and engaged at a range of 2,000 yards. A brief exchange of fire took place creating damage on both sides before the enemy retreated in the opposite direction to the advance: Lost to the wider historical record of the war, but not to those that were there, or to those who were gauging the performance of the new tank on both sides of the Atlantic. The tank’s undisputed success in further action throughout the course of the Alamein battle and in North Africa assured that the Sherman would receive adoption by British forces everywhere the war would be fought, and would be sent everywhere American Armoured Forces would be in action.
As the last Axis prisoner fell into allied hands during May of 1943 the three year campaign in the desert drew to a close. The arrival and capture of Cap Bon on the Tunisian coast on 13 May had cemented the notion of the turning tide first embraced by the British public after the victory at Alamein in October 1942. The photographs in this chapter help capture the first Sherman tanks in British and Commonwealth service during that vital period of the war. Technical features such as British designed stowage bins, and sand shields, the camouflage schemes and unit markings, the desert landscapes and fighting conditions are all recorded. Visits from inquisitive VIP’s, instruction from American Sherman Experts, British training on the new tank, battle damaged tanks and the culminating Victory parades in Cairo and Tunis all convey the story of the tank’s initiation into the British Army.
West of Agheila, Christmas celebrations were conducted in the Tripolitanian Desert during December, 1942. With holly and berries chalk-drawn onto their M4 turret and bunting made of torn newspaper this tank crew enjoy a Christmas meal as two German prisoners are marched away to captivity enviously glancing over at the food from home! IWM E 20571
December, 1942. ‘When in doubt – brew up!’ A crew gather to read the tea leaves and share a cigarette in between spells of duty within reach of their M4A1 variant, which exhibits centrally mounted first type return rollers on the top of each bogie. Examples of additional British storage bins are also seen. IWM E 21330
Benghazi in January, 1943. American mechanics assigned from US Armoured Forces help rectify early teething troubles with some of the first Shermans in British Service. British MP Jack Lawson (MP for Chester-Le-Street, Co. Durham) watches the men at work at a REME repair depot in the back streets. The party went on a tour of Tobruk, taking in the memorials to the siege and inspecting the harbour. The censor has obliterated all identification markings other than the full size ‘43’ painted on the turret side. M4A1’s are parked in the front row and an M4 is being worked on IWM E 21472
American Tank Experts in Tripolitania observe how their product (Sherman M4A1, Sherman II’s) perform in action with the British Army, explain the finer points of the working Sherman. These were part of the first shipments to reach North Africa. Black camouflage scheme has been quickly applied with a spray gun as they examine the tank for battle damage. Among the US party was Lieutenant General Jacob L. Devers, America’s number one tank expert in the Middle East. (Undated) IWM E 20690
West of Marble Arch British armour and infantry set off to chase the retreating DAK after fierce clashes. Infantry now partnered with the new M4 Sherman tank and are ferried into battle. The troops have to take cover on the rear deck, burnt by sun and hot engine, they find a position providing low silhouette amidst track hammers, shovels, pick axes and a track spike – part of the Sherman’s on board track maintenance kit strapped to the rear decking. Note detail of British applied rear turret stowage box. IWM E 20505
‘Cocky’ – an M4A2, Sherman III destroyed by enemy action outside Benghazi. The sand shield on the right side of tank has been blown out at a right angle to hull and two impact points can be noted above the centre bogie. All the stowage bins have been opened and searched. Note the ‘opening halves’ nature of the stowage box mounted on the rear of the turret. The number 06 has been painted over with a black circle with an oblique line – signifying ‘knocked out’ to any passing vehicles. The intensity of the fire has bent the aerials but the remnants of the tank’s pennant still flies. Blackened sand is visible around the wreck due to intense fire within the vehicle. IWM E 20574
RAC School at Abbassia. Photographed by Sgt. Chetwyn on 19 January, 1943 this shot shows a special course in progress given to tank men in the handling and maintenance of all types of tank. This is the Sherman Engine maintenance class, checking the oil filters and air cleaners, tapping them out to clean them against the side of the hull. (Note staining!) IWM E21382
The finer details of the commander’s turret ring are explained inside a Sherman at the RAC School at Abbassia. (19 January, 1943.) Note the leather padding, sponge and horsehair filled and samples of white interior paint finish on hatch door and inner hull to maximise reflection of light inside the tank. IWM E 21386
Final instruction at Abbassia culminated in a ‘roughriding’ course for all tank men. The Shermans were sent over some of the rougher, undulating desert terrain at speed. Late production version of M4A2. Bow machine guns have been eliminated, cast one piece transmission cover, and second type bogies with return rollers on trailing side can be seen. Note blade sight and other sighting devices on turret top. The ‘closing halves’ type stowage box is attached to the rear of the turret. (19th January, 1943.) IWM E 21393
The final advance of the Eighth Army in Libya. Three columns pushed forward, one along the main road two inland to stop Rommel making anything more than a brief stand during his fighting retreat. Moving toward Tripoli, Dominion, and Home County regiments fought alongside each other. Here Trooper Fred Lee of Reading, of The Sherwood Rangers is captured through the lens. A veteran of the desert campaign in Egypt and now Libya he halts his tank for the cameraman. Eyes protected by his goggles this desert tank driver is caked in sand and dust. Trooper Lee was a peacetime lorry driver before the war. IWM E21499
The commander faired a little better from the dust coating that his driver received but creates an exposed silhouette on top of the turret as demonstrated in this shot. Described as a typical Tank Man by the original caption this is Lieutenant Ted Phelan of Streatham, London. He has also advanced all the way from Alamein and will soon be on the streets of Tripoli! Details of the early M34 gun mount for the 75mm main gun are clearly visible. IWM E 21500
Sherman M4A1 (II) tanks race across a desert floor of rocks, grit and sand in open ground toward Tripoli. Often brief rainfall overnight would turn a landscape such as this into an instant carpet of flowers. Seeds carried on the desert winds could instantly bloom and within a few hours of arid daytime heat wilt and die off again creating an alien environment for the British tankers to come to terms with. IWM E 21503
5 April 1943 in Aleppo. Lieutenant General W G Holmes, CB, DSO, G.O.C 9th Army paying a visit to 10th Armoured Division on an informal visit. There was a short parade of vehicles through Aleppo but no formal parade. Here a Sherman M4A1 fires down a range as senior officers look on. .303 Bren Light Machine Gun is used as a ranging aid and conserves heavier 75mm ammunition. IWM E 23457
General Alexander and Lieutenant General McCreery (who ended the war as G.O.C 8th Army in 1945) host a tour from the Turkish Military Mission led by Turk General Omurtag of armoured units in the Tebesa area at 18th Army Group Headquarters. The Turkish Mission were permitted to inspect a Sherman M4A2 and were given a battle display by 6th Armoured Division men. IWM E 23723
Excellent parade demonstration of this late Tripolitanian campaign camouflage scheme exhibited by 6th Armoured Division as the Turkish Mission departs after the display. M4A2 Crews on the left throw salutes as the staff cars pass. IWM E 23724
Victory parade in Cairo on 14 June 1943 covered by AFPU men Captain Cash, Lieutenant McLaren, Sgt Lotzof and Sgt Oldham. Five thousand troops, with tanks, armoured cars and soft-skin vehicles drove through the city. Squadrons of RAF fighter planes swooped low in salute to the flags of the thirty-four United Nations of the period. General Sir Henry Maitland Wilson, C-in-C, MEF took the salute during which he presented Victoria Cross ribbons to two officers Brigadier LM Campbell and Major H W Le Patourel. The M4A2, with single cast transmission cover, was at the very head of columns, and led the parade in honour of its service in the Western Desert. IWM E 25247
15 October, 1943. The Rt. Hon. Robert Anthony Eden, MC, MP, Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs spends a few days in Cairo on his way to Moscow for a ‘Big Three’ Conference. He took time out to specifically visit British tank regiments and is seen here with men and tanks of the Yorks Hussars. IWM E 26151
Eden is informed about the technical specifications of the new tank and was fascinated by radio communication between vehicles. He was given the opportunity to listen in to a conversation between two tank commanders of the 4th Yorks Hussars, as a mix of M4's and M4A2's are parked up in the rear IWM E 26157
Eden sits on the ‘half and half’ stowage box fixed to the rear of this Sherman turret, amidst the short and long range aerials and was soon inside the tank having the crew stations explained in detail. The original caption of the period suggests ‘the popular Foreign Secretary obviously enjoyed chatting to the tank men’ and this is clear to see. IWM E 26156
Victory parades take place at the close of the Tripolitanian campaigns. M4 Tanks of the 3rd Hussars, and 1st RHA who constituted 9th Armoured Brigade amongst others parade past Brigadier Cameron and Lieutenant General Anderson with Major General Norman on the saluting base. British Armoured Brigade strength is demonstrated in these photographs. IWM E 26199
Camo scheme details are revealed as the display forms up, and additional views of the sun shield framework, sirens and headlights plus barrel camouflage which appears to be an early forerunner of the later W/O counter shading schemes applied to 17-pounder barrels. IWM E 26201
Another view of the same parade forming provides views of British adapted wing stowage baskets on M4A2’s, the use of pennants on aerials and the naming of tanks. ‘Defiant’ sits centre stage, with triangle squadron marking blending into camouflage scheme. IWM E 26200
M4A2 in urban combat after months in the desert. Forward elements of the First Army enter Tunis and take fire from an enemy strongpoint in this half built block of flats. Heavy armour was brought up to deal with the situation, with the help of infantry support. After a sharp and brief engagement the enemy were subdued. Note the darker paint scheme late in the campaign. (7 May 1943) IWM NA 2536
‘Adamant’ leads as Shermans rumble by in a cloud of dust in front of another victory parade saluting base. Note identically patterned camouflage schemes on each tank. IWM E 26207
Alternate view of desert drive past featuring both M4A2’s and M4’s. IWM E 26208
Final victory parade in Tunis on 20 May 1943. Units from all the Allied Forces had participated in this parade and the salute was taken by General Eisenhower, General Alexander, General Anderson and General Giraud. Pipers of the 51st Highland Division led these M4 and M4A2 Sherman tanks of the Scots Guards past the saluting base. Conflict in North Africa was over! IWM NA 3016A