ajmac Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 (edited) I have never read any accounts of the M10c in action, however I do appreciate that any casual ref to a 17pr could be a Sherman Firefly or an M10c. How did they fit in to the over all picture of the battle, the Fireflys and Shermans (and Cromwells) were up front but when did M10c's actually come face to face with the enemy? Were they used as mobile AT guns to secure positions once the armour had passed through? On a similar note, if Shermans (none WS) were prone to explode due to amunition stowage what were the M10s like in this respect? Edited October 20, 2011 by ajmac Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 Short answer , Yes! They never actually fought as their doctrine was intially written, that is massed mobile force, but they proved themselves beyond all doubt. The M10's acted as tank destroyers, self proppelled artillery , and assualt artillery. Though never specifically trained for any of these supplementary roles, the intial training of the men, similar to Ranger or Commando training allowed them to adapt , improvise and overcome. When they crews had no vehicles, their training made them invaluable as scouts, FOO and just plain highly trained infantary. Recommended reading: The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 On a similar note, if Shermans (none WS) were prone to explode due to amunition stowage what were the M10s like in this respect? With the much thinner armour and hull stowed ammunition, just as likely if hit. However, being RA equipment they were less at the sharp end than the tanks, though just as much in harms way! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony B Posted October 20, 2011 Share Posted October 20, 2011 May not have meant to be 'front line attack' forces, that was supposed to be the tanks job. Just no one told the enemy! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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