Hunnicutt, R. P. Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1994.

ISBN 0-89141-080-5
576 pages

Foreword; Introduction; photos; diagrams; line drawings; color plate; specifications; References and Selected Bibliography; Index.

Originally published in 1978, Sherman was reprinted in 1994 by Presidio Press. This month Presidio released "an unrevised reissue", making it available again on the new book market. The reissue should come as good news to everyone who has experienced difficulty locating it on the secondhand market. It's a classic for armor enthusiasts and a fine example of how to present a detailed account of military hardware without losing the reader in a pile of nuts and bolts.

Although the title is Sherman, the subtitle is A History of the American Medium Tank, and the book begins with the story of US medium tank development in the years following WWI. Hunnicutt covers the M1921 and M1922, the T1, T2, T3, and more leading up to the first American medium tank to see action in WWII, the M3 Grant. By the spring of 1940 it became apparent that German tank development had outstripped American efforts, and the US Army began to expedite development of the Grant. Before the design was completed, the British Army had placed orders for over 1000 of them. Although it was already apparent that the eventual Grant design -- with its sponson-mounted 75mm gun -- would be inadequate to face the turreted German tank guns, given a choice between inadequate medium tanks and no medium tanks at all, the choice was not difficult to make. Hunnicutt follows the production and employment of the various versions of the M3 in the hands of Allied forces in the Western Desert, the Far East, and the Soviet Union.

Meanwhile, development of the T6 -- later to become the M4 class of tanks, better known as the Sherman -- proceeded at a rapid pace, benefiting much from the teething troubles of the Grant.

   Production of the medium tank M4A1 started in February 1942 on the assembly line established by the British contract at Lima Locomotive Works. A month later they were also being produced at the Pressed Steel Car Company. These early production tanks incorporated the modifications specified for the T6. The side doors were eliminated, although the first tank built at Lima used a T6 upper hull casting with the holes for the doors welded up. This tank was taken over by Ordnance for test purposes, but it retained its British WD number, T-25189, throughout its service in the U.S. Army. The second tank, T-25190, used a new hull casting with the side doors completely eliminated. Both vehicles were equipped with the short barreled 75mm gun M2 fitted with double counterweights since the new M3 cannon was not yet available. T-25190 was shipped to England bearing the name MICHAEL on its sides, probably in honor of Michael Dewar, head of the British Tank Mission.

While the first chassis was still on the assembly line, plans for improvements were being drawn up. Although known generically as the "Sherman", the tank in fact evolved through an endless succession of refinements, variants, and model numbers such as M4, M4A1, M4A2, M4A3, M4A4, M4E1, M4A6. The book describes technical development and production as well as the differences between each model in considerable detail and provides plans and diagrams.

That the Sherman went on to become the most successful Allied tank of the war is well known. Hunnicutt explicates the story of its employment in the Second World War starting with El Alamein where the tank first went into combat with British troops. In its various incarnations the Sherman soon became the stalwart of Allied armored forces around the globe. Hunnicutt describes its employment in every theater (including unusual photos of Shermans in the Soviet inventory) and explains local modifications and field expedients such as cement "armor" and wooden planking.

   Despite its shortcomings, the Sherman was a decisive weapon of war. Produced in greater numbers than any other U.S. tank before or since, it was a factor essential to victory all around the world. A total of 49,234 Shermans of all types were built in the United States during the war. The Canadian Grizzly and Ram production raised these numbers to 51,371 and if the M3 series is included, the total reaches 57,629 new fighting tanks. In addition, 5880 early Shermans of all types were remanufactured and modernized. In all the world, only the Soviet T34 was produced in comparable numbers. The parallel was not lost on the Germans who referred to the Sherman as the T34 of the west.

Post-WWII information includes a section on the Korean war and service with a variety of nations including Italy, Israel, and France.

Hunnicutt further provides full details of variants such as the Firefly and the duplex drive "swimming" Shermans. Dozens of other medium American AFVs -- built on the Sherman chassis or otherwise -- also receive complete coverage. These include self-propelled howitzers, flame-thrower tanks, anti-aircraft tanks, tank dozers, "ambutanks", mine clearance tanks, and more.

Sherman contains over 1300 black and white photos which have been carefully selected and placed to illuminate details explained in the text. There is also a selection of color photographs and an extensive section of reference data with precise specifications.

Welcome back, Sherman.

Available from online booksellers, local bookshops, or directly from Presidio Press.

Thanks to Presidio for providing this review copy.