![]() In October-November 1943 already, enthusiasm and knowledge about the project grew. They then won over the Director General of Weapon and Instrument Production, and the Ministry of Supply, who ultimately gave them full support, funding, and an official approval. However, thanks to Witheridge’s connections, they eventually convinced the head of the Royal Armoured Corps. They received a note from the Department of Tank Design to cease their efforts. Witheridge joined Brighty due to the doubts of the A.30, Cruiser Mark VIII Challenger being ready in time and lobbied actively for the same idea, providing his assistance and solving the recoil problem. This first version had the whole recoil system removed, locking in effect the gun in place, while the tank bluntly absorbed the recoil. Brighty had already made attempts of the conversion at the Lulworth Armoured Fighting School in early 1943. Massive delays also began to appear in the development of the official projects which were meant to mount the new gun. Despite reports and refusals, they managed to pursue the project by themselves and eventually get the concept accepted. It finally happened largely due to the efforts and perseverance of two officers, British Major George Brighty, with the help of Lieutenant Colonel Witheridge, an experienced veteran of the North African campaign and wounded at Gazala. The idea of putting the 17 Pounder (76.2 mm/3 in) on a Sherman was long opposed by the Ministry of Supply. Preserved Firefly, showing its camouflaged barrel, as seen in 2008. Mated with the Sherman, this stopgap combination (before the new generation of Allied tanks could enter service) became lethal, and added its own weight to the Allied effort to secure victory. However, the British Army had just received the superlative 17 pounder, which proved itself able to nail any known Panzer. But facing the latest versions of the Panzer IV, the Panther and Tiger, it was woefully inadequate. Its basic 75 mm (2.95 in) gun was excellent to deal with other tanks at reasonable ranges and against armor up to 75 mm (2.95 in), or against fortifications and infantry. If you spot anything out of place, please let us know! Hello dear reader! This article is in need of some care and attention and may contain errors or inaccuracies. At that time, the “basic” M4 Sherman equipped the Allies almost exclusively, from the US to the British, Canadian, ANZACS, Free Polish and Free French forces, and its limitations were well known before 1944. ![]() Tank Destroyer – Approximately 2,000 Built Turning the Sherman into a killerįrom the hedgerow of Normandy, France, to the hills of Italy and the plains of Netherlands, the Firefly was one of the few Allied tanks the Germans learned to fear… Among the most potent Allied conversion of the war, and certainly one of the deadliest version of the Sherman, it was a clever -although risky and improvised- move to try to keep up with the latest German tank developments. The modern battlefield shows no signs of this changing soon, with the development of tanks continuing to adapt to it.United Kingdom/United States of America (1944) Modern Era – Are Tanks Still Relevant?: Despite numerous prophets heralding the demise of the tank, armor is still an important part of all the world’s militaries. Although the USA and USSR never fought each other directly, almost all proxy wars of the period saw extensive usage of their tanks. World War Two would change these perceptions, and see tanks used in unprecedented numbers across all theaters of war.Ĭold War – East vs West: In a period dominated by nuclear weapons, two opposing superpowers led to the splitting of the world into East and West. Even so, many were unconvinced by this new weapon of war. WW2 – The Tank Goes Global: The Interwar period saw the tank go on a worldwide tour, from Bolivia to China, every corner of the globe and all seven continents felt the tread of heavy armor. Soon after its introduction, the tank quickly became a killing machine integrated into combined arms operations. However, many pioneers had envisioned the use of armored vehicles in the decades prior to the Great War. WW1 – Mud, Barbed Wire, and Trenches: The United Kingdom and France started development of tanks in order to break through enemy lines. If you feel something is missing, please add it to our Public Suggestion List. If you spot something wrong, please let us know. As a reader, you can help to improve our site. Tank Encyclopedia continues to be a work-in-progress largely carried out by volunteers.
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