mtskull Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Spotted this tank yesterday, placed as a memorial in Cassino. I’m not a Sherman expert but something makes me think that it isn’t a genuine relic from the battles of Cassino. Can anybody more knowledgeable shed light on this? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jpsmit Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 No help at all with the query but very glad that they (in the second picture) chained the tank to the ground so that no one would steal it. 🤣 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Surveyor Posted September 16, 2019 Share Posted September 16, 2019 Comparing to those in Normandy, is it me but no signs of impact i.e. shell damage on it?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtskull Posted September 17, 2019 Author Share Posted September 17, 2019 (edited) Educating myself via threads on this forum and elsewhere, I reckon this is an M4 (75). The only inconsistency is the rear plate, which lacks the cutaway associated with radial engined variants. Post war modification by another nation’s army perhaps? The plaque adjacent to the memorial states that the tank was “re-hashed” (sic) after the war. Possibly something lost in translation, or is this a tank with a history unrelated to the battle of Cassino, acquired to represent those that took part? Edited September 17, 2019 by mtskull Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hummermark Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 It certainly looks like a radial Sherman all the rear top deck looks correct and the rear plate has the cut out for the cranking handle (round rod with a pin through it) do you have a picture of the cutaway that is on the rear plate that you say is associated with radials. Grizzly cast hull Sherman's do have a scalped out section on the rear centre top. why I do not know? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted September 17, 2019 Share Posted September 17, 2019 This is an M4 75mm Sherman fitted from new with vertical volute spring suspension and built post August 1943. It is what is known as an "ultimate series" tank as it has the bigger front hatches that don't intrude into the less sloped glassis plate, the final version of the radial engine installation with the oil filler cap in the rear section of engine deck, no cutout in the lower edge of the upper rear armour. Inside the wiring, seats and most stowage are very different to earlier Shermans. The turret is the correct "high bustle" late 75mm one with the correct vision cupola but the gun mantlet and turret front are from a much earlier Sherman. The mantlet should be the full width of the turret front which should have extra slots in it for the mounting bolts of the M34A1 mount. It is possible that it was originally a 105mm howitzer tank as these had basically the same turret but with a different front, gun and mantlet but only by looking at the internal ammunition stowage would one know. David Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adrian Barrell Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 The turret is a 105mm turret as it has the rear ventilator visible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Herbert Posted September 19, 2019 Share Posted September 19, 2019 (edited) Quite right ! Thanks Adrian David Edited September 19, 2019 by David Herbert Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcspool Posted April 18, 2020 Share Posted April 18, 2020 As stated above, this Sherman was built as a M4(105). After WW2, it was used by the Italian Army who converted it with a 75-mm gun. This indeed is not a genuine Cassino battle relic. Many tanks set up as memorials are not genuine battle relics, but first served in Armies after WW2. Nearby at Albaneta Farm is a genuine battle relic - see http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/polish_tank.htm 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtskull Posted April 26, 2020 Author Share Posted April 26, 2020 (edited) On 4/18/2020 at 1:02 PM, mcspool said: As stated above, this Sherman was built as a M4(105). After WW2, it was used by the Italian Army who converted it with a 75-mm gun. This indeed is not a genuine Cassino battle relic. Many tanks set up as memorials are not genuine battle relics, but first served in Armies after WW2. Nearby at Albaneta Farm is a genuine battle relic - see http://battlefieldsww2.50megs.com/polish_tank.htm Yup, visited that one. Whilst being respectful of the memorial and refraining from clambering over the tank, it was difficult to see what had knocked it out; no sign of armour penetration. Then I noticed the damage to the right front suspension and the upward deformation and failure of the sponson base; my immediate thoughts that it had run over a mine were subsequently confirmed. Edited April 27, 2020 by mtskull 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.