Code: exec - pls don't take it as offencive :) The story of one tank (C) I. Koshkin "one, two, three, four, five. shermans went to drive" (referenced to Wittmann) The story of Shermann tank begins back in 1939. That was the time american military, somehow dumbound but with a scales of Old World's tank battles, recalled suddenly that there quantity of these useful machines hardly exceeds three hundreds. And European tanks would not stand in the same hangar with the majority of these. The Generalitet promptly demanded the medium tank to be given to the Army. It must be said, that before this moment, American constructors did no medium tanks, and had no idea how these must differ from, say, light ones. Guided mainly by grapevines, that the Intelligence sold as reconnaissance data, constructors decided that medium tank must be a little bigger than light one, and to have a little more armament. Noone known what is concerned as a powerful armament in Europe, so it was simply decided to stick eight machineguns into the tank, and to see what happen. This way the medium tank M2 was born. It is known, that from six members of Artillery Department, three shot themselves, two fainted away, and one became violently mad and almost bitten the head constructor to death. As a result, lesser than hundred were build from thousand, and these were hidden for noone can see them. Some quantity was sent to USSR. Russians at that time were tearing against Germans somewhere at Volga, and were ready to count any jalopy as a tank, if only it had caterpillars. Since in America Russian methods of design management were considered as blameable, no constructors were shot, and even no one was exiled to Yukon. Nevertheless, Army needed in the medium tank with powerful armament. Someone from constructors, who's brother fought in England on Hurricane, suggested to increase the number of machineguns up to dozen, but it was already clear that the cannon must be the primary armament of the tank. But the question where this cannon should be placed remained open. The fraction of designers, so called "towerers", considered that the cannon must be in the tower, according to the modern style. The rest, "casers" laughed at them, stating that only idiot will stick a powerful cannon into that foolish spinning construction. By their opinion, the best place for cannon is some suitable lug of the case. Finally, they came into compromise. Two cannons were installed on the tank, the bigger one was in the case, and the lesser into the tower. The night before official trials, sarcastic casers attached an extra turret on the top of the tower, a tiny one with machinegun. They say "you wanted the tower - choke with these". The tank was named M3 "General Lee", but many people objected to it, supposing that a Chinese influence may be felt. This time no members of the commission shot himself, and only one fainted. That was taken as a good sign. Tanks were sent to Africa, where Rommel kicked Englishmen, pausing only for drinking and putting anti sunburn creme. Pushed to very Cairo, Englishmen accepted the gift politely, but nobody will know what they were thinking. The effectiveness of the tank exceed all expectations: at the first encounter the crews of top modern Pz III J died of laugh, and Englishmen took over the battle. Tank was proudly named "The hope of Egypt", and some of tankman noticed gloomy: "If Egypt may hope on THIS, the Empire is doomed". Soon after it, American tankmen appeared on the theatre. Fought a little, they demanded tank with single cannon, in the tower certainly. Many engineers objected to such a revolutionary modification of construction, pointing that one could not play baseball in such a tank, and dreams to equip the tank with a shower will disappear in the Letha. But tankmen insisted, saying that they are ashamed to fight on the tank that is in derision of English and German colleagues. General Patton took tankmen's side, promising to shoot the head constructor from his favourite revolver with pearl handle. And the engineers finally worked out a tank of conventional construction. In this tank were reflected every peculiarity of American tank-design school. In particular, Americans believed that the height of the tank must exceed its width for sure. Moreover, one of them (that was in business trip in Russia) stated that under Russian requirements the cannon must be as short as possible, to avoid scratching the ground. He was told that tank moves usually with it's tower up, and the cannon can stick into nothing. But the constructor persisted in it, and the tank got the cannon, that Germans and Russians would be embarrassed to put on the tank already. New tank was named "Sherman", and it was sent to Africa to finish Germans. Also, M3 was pushed to Russia. Russians planned a major scuffle on some arc with hard-to-pronounce name, and Russians were ready to accept any self-propelling barn as a tank, if only it had a cannon. Meanwhile, it was hard to finish Germans, and their newest armoured monsters named "Tiger" quickly impressed into American tankmen heads the popular wisdom "Tanks are not fighting against tanks... At least against Tigers for sure". American tankmen felt them a little swindled. It looked like they finally obtained a medium tank, but business is not going anyway. While landing at Sicily, American tankmen knew out a new combat experience, which stated that anything can be killed into the ass, and it's a pleasure to offence the enemy without anti-tank defence. The landing at Normandy was in the future... Meanwhile, Russians straightened their arc finally, announced to Allies that Tiger is a bullshit, because Germans have a new cat, "Panther". That one is "ALL AHEAD FULL", definitely. Generally Russian experience said that longer the cannon, the better it coped, when encountering enemy tanks. Constructors grown wise with a sad experience, started to move quickly, and by the time of Normandy landing introduced two experimental samples, with long (for Americans measure) cannon. Military sniffed scornfully at new machines and tanks with short cannons jumped from landing crafts. First encounters with German tanks raised a squall of letters from tankmen to engineers. The contents of majority listed the things tankmen would do with engineers if tankmen will survive. It must be said that cunning Englishmen, that got Shermans from America, installed some quantity of really long antitank cannons and fought against Germans fearlessly. But Americans were compelled to undertake various tactical methods, war craftiness, and low action. Once, a battalion of Shermans with pretended withdrawal lured several Panthers at the seaside. Hardly climbed the dunes, Panthers viewed primary calibre barrels of HMS Nelson battleship, targeted at them. Battleship smiled sarcastically, and saying "Who is offending little ones here?", vaporised two Panthers, forcing the rest to escape for survival. Naturally, such situation could not last long, and Sherman needed a more powerful cannon. Yet comparative tests showed that longer cannon has lighter high-explosive charge, lesser ammunition, and altogether, the cannon is noisy and raises masses of dust. Militaries have begun to dispute. Some stated that tanks are not going to fight against tanks, and in general passion to long barrel shows certain sexual problems. Others, especially who were in Shermans under Panthers' fire, scuffled and shouted that they will find out who and which problems really have. Again, Patton snatched his revolver. But some phlegmatic Texas said that no one hinders to have Shermans of both types in the squadrons. Being not happy about delivering ammunition of two different types, suppliers tried to protest, but it was promised to arrange a two-end voyage to Saint-Lo in the short-cannon Shermans for them. Suppliers shut up at the same moment. Fall 1944, American tankmen finally got long barrelled Shermans, but in small quantity. However it did not solved the problem, so some new tricks were invented. In particular, it was suggested to shoot (and to hit) as frequently as possible. It occurred sometimes that young German tankmen got out of tanks and fallen on the ground, holding their ears with hands. At this time it was a piece of cake to capture them. Sometimes American tankmen covered their tanks with bags filled with sand. This trick allowed to accelerate dramatically after jettisoning all bags at once, or to cheat dull-witted German tank with a dialog: Panther: "Sorry for bothering you. Aren't you an American tank M4A3E8 Sherman?" Sherman: "Why [Mem]? I cannot even enunciate it!" Panther: "Who are you then?" Sherman: "In my opinion it is obviously! I am a pile of sand bags" Panther: "So why are you moving?" Sherman: "I don't see why a pile of sand bags cannot move. Moreover, it's so windy today..." Panther: "So, you are not an American tank M4A3E8 Sherman definitely?" Sherman: "You may be absolutely sure in this" And after this Panther usually turned away just for catching an armour piercing shell into she's stern. Another war trick was a creation of M4A3E2 "Jumbo" tank (despite of tradition of naming tanks after American generals of domestic melees, this tank was named after African elephant that could fly on his ears). Similar to Sherman, this tank was armoured once and for all. As a result, after seeing Sherman moving after fifth direct hit German commander laughed infectious, scrambled out and give himself up. Rumours are that he kept laughing until the very repatriation. As an outcome of all these measures, and also thank to a wise principle "seven to one is a suitable situation" American tankmen adopted finally, Americans took the majority of battles. At least by scores. Regardless of all these disadvantages, American tankmen loved their Shermans. Because those ones, who did not loved them was transferred to Stuarts. That was a tank derised even by Japanese. Besides, this tank has simple maintenance, the manufacturer supplied a three-years guaranty, damaged tanks were exchanged for new free of charge at all. Tanks moved well over plain surfaces, and those who delivered to Russia, even moved well over rough surfaces. Moreover, the commander had a separated private seat in the Sherman, and during the battle could read a book or map, listen radio, of to watch observing instrumentation, instead of bustingly throwing shells into the cannon. Not without a reason Sherman got a name "The best tank for peace-time service" in Russia. Finally, we cannot omit the dark side of Sherman's history. This tank became a symbol of black-coloured race oppression. The matter is that on the Sherman, the loader was often an Afro, and while other crew pulled handles, shot from cannon, shouted at radio-transmitter, and in general was engaged in interesting business, unlucky black-coloured tankman must droningly throw the shells, 90 rounds 7kg each. Unhappy loader carried over 600kg from stacking to cannon with his own hands. Some Sherman racists commanders took a twice ammo load with special intention, for giving that unfortunate one even more work. Often interlaced in the thunder of cannonade and roar of engines the song dispersed over the battle field. An age-old song, could be heard over Alabama and Louisiana plantations.
The mind of -exec- is both cunning and humorous! Be sure the greatest strength of the American military has always been its unorthodox and confusing way of getting things done. Very hard to formulate a winning strategy against an enemy that defies all logic and consistency. I look at our history and marvel at the fact that we ever got anything done or achieved. How we ever won our Freedom from the English still amazes me. The very fact that we make no sense is our greatest strength Very glad I am that the world is in 'relative' peace' at this time. I sense from reading various international forums such as this that much of the world holds us in contempt and thinks of us as weak and without conviction.Our government is SURELY not perfect and just, but the young men who are thrust into combat at need, are NOT those same men. The youth of America are as able and spirited warriors as any other nation. I put this forward not as a cheerleader but to hopefully educate. When our governments speak to each other,historically deciept and half -truth is the norm in the hopes of attaining ones wants. The beauty of these forums is that the potential warriors themselves finally get a chance to learn of each others minds,and hopefully realize we are all indeed brothers. We dont want to fight and die,any of us.We want to have a good meal,good sex,good music,marvel at our children as they grow. Now you will HAVE to move this to off-topic Peace world, By-Tor=Elite=
exec - corrections USS Nelson in RL HMS Nelson, British battleship "must droningly throw the shells, 90kg each" - in original text there was "90 rounds 7kg each - 600 kg total" anyway great effort
Hi Exec, Great post! >M4A3E2 "Jumbo" tank (despite of tradition of naming tanks after American generals of domestic melees, this tank was named after African elephant that could fly on his ears). You're thinking of "Dumbo". "Jumbo" was a real African elephant of enormous size who was displayed by one of the great American circuses. (He was so large that a horse-drawn carriage could pass beneath his belly, which was part of the circus show.) If I remember correctly, Jumbo met his end after attacking a steam locomotive. Regards, Henning (HoHun)
>> and in general passion to long barrel shows certain sexual problems I've always thought about that... here they have a general passion for BIG trucks. I think they're really compensating for something Otherwise, thanks for posting
