V Panther tank (appearing in surprising numbers) and the Pz.Kpfw.
VI Tiger I heavy tank.
During the tank battles in theNormandy hedgerows, an additional threat to the Sherman appeared.
Numerous improvised and field-expedient adaptations were made to the M4 Sherman during WWII. An M4A3 is shown here with a covering in logs of various sizes, plus a single strip of extra track links on the forward glacis plate. Image: Patton Museum
Its range was about 150 yards, and the deadly 7.2-pound RPzBGr 4322 rocket could penetrate 160mm of armor.
However, when the Panzerfaust worked, it was very powerful.
Armor penetration was a whopping 200 millimeters, more than enough to piece any Allied tank.
An M4A3E8 tank with the 14th Armored Division has sandbags over it to improve its ability to survive hits. Image: NARA
The Shermans turret was protected by 1 to 3 (25mm to 76mm) of armor.
Some of the later M4 variants had a 312 (89mm) mantlet.
The transmission housing at the lower front was protected by up to 4.5 of armor.
A German soldier with an 88mm Panzerschreck mans a defensive position during World War II. Image: Author’s collection
A wartime modification, the M4A3E2, upgraded the Shermans armor to U.S. heavy-tank standards.
Unfortunately, there were only about 250 of these well-armored vehicles made.
These ad-hoc additions were marginally effective in providing extra protection, if only in the way of something-is-better-than-nothing.
The tank killer: A young lieutenant examines a Panzerfaust 60 and its deadly shaped-charge warhead. Image: NARA
However, their effectiveness against low-velocity, hollow-charge weapons was a different story.
By October, that number had risen to 12.5%.
In November, it advanced to 14.5%.
Sandbags are held in position with a net on this Sherman of the 2nd Armored Division in Germany during the spring of 1945. Image: NARA
And from available evidence, the added protection never seriously degraded the M4s automotive performance.
The reinforced concrete was found to be more effective than the sandbags, particularly on the front plate.
A Natural Defense
Logs were the quickest, easiest, and cheapest method of adding protection.
An M4A3 (76) of the 14th Armored Division in January 1945. Sandbags cover much of the tank’s surface. Image: NARA
Occasionally, logs were used on the glacis plate to provide a framework for sandbags.
C.O., Co. D, 67th Armored Regt.
In a rare reversal, General Patton approved of this specific practice but it was the least common.
This M4A3 demonstrates one of the most basic versions of additional armor: the strategic positioning of track links. It was a practice that existed since early in the war. Image: NARA
A tight camouflage net covered the vehicle to keep the sandbags in place.
In the spring of 1945, American tank-infantry tactics progressed by leaps and bounds.
The G.I.s advancing ahead of their armored support identified and suppressed German AT guns and tank-hunter teams.
British Firefly tanks, an up-gunned Sherman, often used spare track links for additional protection. This one is seen in Holland during Operation Market Garden in 1944. Image: Dutch National Archives
On board the Sherman tanks, many vehicles had theirBrowning M2 .50-cal.
AA MGrelocated to a position forward of the commanders hatch, and a Browning M1919A4 .30-cal.
MG mounted in front of the loaders hatch.
A full sheet of additional armor plate added to an M4A3 — the highest level of protect a Sherman could receive, but also the heaviest, and normally restricted to just the glacis plate. Image: Patton Museum
This combined firepower helped eliminate Panzerfaust gunners who presented a prime target as they maneuvered for a shot.
Of particular interest was the sandbagging of tanks as practiced by the 14th Armored Division.
The installations were being accomplished by the maintenance battalion of the division.
An M4A1 (76mm) of the 3rd Armored Division carries a thick layer of additional armor, sourced from German factories captured at Cologne. Image: NARA
Only partial penetration was obtained and the driver was uninjured.
It was stated that the bags had saved at least eight tanks of the division from bazooka fire.
D) No marked decrease in performance of the tank was reported, though considerable weight was obviously added.
This M4A3E8 has an additional layer of armor on the glacis plate. Other improvements include the repositioning of the Browning M1919 and M2 machine guns. Image: NARA
My personal belief is that the latter estimate is more nearly correct.
A metal shield under the bags was to be added to correct this.
Wooden forms were then used to hold the concrete pour an 8-to-1 mixture of concrete being utilized.
The crew of an M4A3 (76mm) tank of the 2nd Armored Division shows off its thick application of concrete that completely covers the front of the vehicle. Image: NARA
It was reported that several bow gunners and drivers lost their legs when their light tanks hit a mine.
The extra weight has caused no appreciable difference in the performance of the tank.
An Effective Expedient?
A crew of the 2nd Armored Division mixes up and trowels on additional concrete protection to their Sherman 105mm assault vehicle in Germany, April 1945. Image: NARA
The last year of World War II saw the German deploy some highly effective infantry anti-tank weapons.
Sandbags saved many M4s from taking a direct hit.
Also, the issue of bolstering crew morale cannot be understated.
An M4A3E8 showing off “log armor” along its sides. The logs could also be detached and used as “un-ditching rails” if needed. Image: NARA
U.S. tank crews understood that there was no magical addition that would make their Sherman tanks impenetrable.
In March 1945, these soldiers examine the damage done by a Panzerfaust to a Sherman tank equipped with sandbags. Image: NARA
On this M4A3E8, the Browning M1919 and the Browning M2 machine guns have been repositioned to allow the crew to suppress Panzerfaust/Panzerschreck teams. Image: NARA
A Panzerfaust blasted through added concrete to penetrate the side armor of this 12th Armored Division tank. Image: NARA
This M4 was fitted with an experimental flamethrower in the bow machine gun position. The framework holding the sandbags denotes anticipation of close contact with German AT weapons. Image: NARA
