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Some folks, stirred on by the movie "Fury", have raised their curiosity concerning the M4 Sherman tank, as featured in the film.
There are many facts and pseudo facts surrounding the M4 story. It gained the reputation of being quicker to catch fire than other tanks, but it was not greatly different from other tanks. The M4 did run on gasoline, which made it more susceptible than those others of which ran on diesel fuel.
..But nearly any WW2 tank once solidly hit, would soon 'cook-off" its ammunition, which was stored in the turret.
Until a few were mounted with the 90mm main gun, it could not penetrate the frontal armor (glacis) of either the Tiger or Panther. However, it could effectually operate against the side or rear of either.
Although for tank-to-tank action, either the Panther or Tiger were very formidable when facing off against the Sherman, the M4 did have some advantages over the German tanks.
1) it was faster and more agile.
2) It had a power traverse turret.
3) Field repair was simpler
4) It was more dependable
The power traverse turret could be a deciding factor, during a mobile encounter. First on target is a factor that looms large.
The Sherman was produced to the tune of over 40,000 units, so supply and logistics were simplified.
The dependability issue was a major factor. Let's say 50 each of Panthers, Tigers and Shermans were dispatched to a given area of combat..
Of the 50, perhaps 37 of the Panthers would arrive, ready to go, while 32 of the Tigers would arrive on the scene..while likely 45 of the Shermans would show.
One thing that is widely misunderstood, is that according to Patton's philosophy, the Sherman was not intended for tank-to-tank combat. That was the job of the tank destroyer.
Pattton's aim was to send the Shermans speeding through the lines, to fan out in the rear areas, and raise havoc.
Although lightly armored, M18 Hellcat or the M36 Jackson, both had power traverse, and both were capable of dealing with the German tanks. ..But with the usual rear eschelon snafus, not nearly enough tank destroyers were shipped.
All in all, the Sherman M4 as Patton visualized it, was an excellent machine, even though it could have used a lower silhouette.
https://militaryhistorynow.com/2014/10/22/furious-11-essential-facts-about-the-m4-sherman-tank/
