Does any one know about the sherman fording tanks?? (1 Viewer)

[spartan71]

Does any one know, when the sherman fording tanks were used ( could they been used in D-day, or just in the river crossings)?? I am trying to make a diorama with it. But Do not know, what is accurate. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Does any one know, when the sherman fording tanks were used ( could they been used in D-day, or just in the river crossings)?? I am trying to make a diorama with it. But Do not know, what is accurate. Thanks in advance!!

I believe Shermans with wading stacks were used in a great many places and not just for river crossings. The stacks increased the tanks fording depth from 3 ft to 6 ft. I am certain they were used for beach landings in the Pacific, and fairly sure they were used in the landings in Sicily and Messina. I believe there were some at the Normandy beaches. I don't know if any were used in the North afrika landings by Patton.

Terry

 

[binder001]

The need for deep wading gear for the medium tanks was seen early on. By Sicily the US Army's M4-types were fitted with an early version of the wading stacks. This MTO design was refined and standardized as the what you see on the model. There were variations on that theme. You usually didn't see these used in river crossings as they required a lot of welding and fitting. These were used for amphibious invasions.

The basic design was used in the MTO and PTO as well as for the ETO so this tank model can be used for many scenarios. The Marines used the same or similar designs for their M4A3s.

Gary B.

 

[lenswerks]

I think they were used on D-Day. I've seen several D-Day displays that include them.

Here is one that Corgi did a few years back which shows the first village to be liberated behind Omaha Beach - Vierville. The stacks are removed in the photo, but you can see where they were mounted...

I wish someone would put something like this display in production. It is an awesome piece of work but 1/50 scale.

Donnie

 

[spartan71]

Thanks for all the Replies (Terry,Gary, Donnie), I greatly appreciate it!!.
I want to buy a Build-A-Rama product, But thought To ask everyone in the Forum. I Did not want to make a diorama, that will not be accurate (river crossings, thanks Gary), And confirms that they might have been used At Normandy(thanks Donnie)(thanks Terry). Again, Greatly Appreciated Gentlemen.
As soon as I saw this Sherman, It was just screaming, YOU BETTER PUT ME IN A DIORAMA, or do not buy me. So Here I go with the Diorama. And as soon as K&C and Figarti slows down with their releases of great products (now I am hear screaming, That will never happen). I will buy a camera to take pictures.

 

[binder001]

Just to clarify - these tanks were definitely at Normandy. There were three tank battalions attached to the assault waves, the 70th supported the 4th Division at Utah, the 741st and 743rd supported the 1st and 29th Division forces at Omaha. Each battalion had three medium tank companies and a light tank company. For DDay each battalion had two companies equipped and trained with the M4A1 Duplex Drive tanks - these were the Shermans with an inflateable canvas "duck boat" that could propel themselves in water. The third company had their tank equipped with the "snorkels" and was to be delivered straight onto the beach. This company was reinforced with extra tankdozer M4 types. The light tank company and most battalion service elements were to land late on DDay or D+1. Further, a number of the initial follow on units had their tanks equipped to land in deeper water - they came in from LSTs and LCTs before the Mulberry piers were assembled. After the ports were established, or French ports captured, the tanks didn't need the extra fording gear so you don't see the stacks on later units' tanks.

Gary

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Just to clarify - these tanks were definitely at Normandy. There were three tank battalions attached to the assault waves, the 70th supported the 4th Division at Utah, the 741st and 743rd supported the 1st and 29th Division forces at Omaha. Each battalion had three medium tank companies and a light tank company. For DDay each battalion had two companies equipped and trained with the M4A1 Duplex Drive tanks - these were the Shermans with an inflateable canvas "duck boat" that could propel themselves in water. The third company had their tank equipped with the "snorkels" and was to be delivered straight onto the beach. This company was reinforced with extra tankdozer M4 types. The light tank company and most battalion service elements were to land late on DDay or D+1. Further, a number of the initial follow on units had their tanks equipped to land in deeper water - they came in from LSTs and LCTs before the Mulberry piers were assembled. After the ports were established, or French ports captured, the tanks didn't need the extra fording gear so you don't see the stacks on later units' tanks.

Gary

Good history. I didn't know the details.

Terry

 

[spartan71]

Gary, thanks for all the added information. You must have read my mind, because last night I was thinking, thinking of attaching the tank to the Big Red One. Again, Gary. Greatly appeciated!!.

 

[panda1gen]

Gary, thanks for all the added information. You must have read my mind, because last night I was thinking, thinking of attaching the tank to the Big Red One. Again, Gary. Greatly appeciated!!.

Thanks for this thread and especial thanks to Gary for all the info again. It is really terrific learning from the experts on the forum.