Flames of War - Pacific - Marine M4 Sherman Platoon

Fighting on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands proved that the M3 Stuart tank’s gun lacked punch against entrenched troops, even with the canister round. The Marine Corps wanted something heavier, and in October 1942 they received twenty-two M4 Sherman tanks for evaluation. The M4 Sherman medium tank was rushed into service in 1943. The Marines received the diesel-engine M4A2 Sherman. It had 3-inches of frontal armour and a 75mm gun and out-gunned anything the Japanese had in service. The much larger 75mm gun was not only able to destroy Japanese tanks with ease, it was also useful for destroying bunkers and other field fortifications in support of the Marine riflemen.