- Yes
- No
The M4A3 (17-pounder) is, as the name suggests, an American M4A3 (with wet ammo storage and probably HVSS) armed with the British 17-pounder gun, essentially an American Sherman Firefly (even though it was never officially designated as such). Compared to British Fireflies, the M4A3 (17-pounder) had a superior chassis and access to late-war ammunition (i.e. APDS), making it the best Sherman Firefly available. While it arrived too late in the war to see combat action, it will be a unique addition to the World War II line-up of the US tech tree.
History
The US had long resisted the adoption of the 17-pounder for various reasons: dominant tank destroyer doctrine, overconfidence in the 76mm, and, at least earlier in the war, general disdain towards the British Firefly conversion program, believed to be “a waste of good tanks”. The last issue was more or less resolved after a report by Raymond Briggs regarding the Sherman Firefly, but the Americans did not fully accept the need for a better tank gun until after the Normandy Landings in 1944. Encountering heavy German tanks like the Panther, American troops found that even the 76mm did not perform up to expectations. A new HVAP round was developed, but its penetration was still somewhat inadequate, and the round was always in short supply. Therefore, General Omar Bradley, commander of the Twelfth Army Group, decided that Sherman Fireflies were needed.
Requests for Sherman Fireflies were first made in the summer of 1944 (likely in August), but were initially denied due to insufficient British production capacity and lack of spare 75mm Shermans for conversion. The need for better anti-tank firepower was highlighted again in the Battle of the Bulge, so production of 160 units of the American Firefly was officially authorised in February 1945.
At an unknown point in time, two M4A3s were experimentally converted to Fireflies, one with armoured ammunition storage and the other with wet ammunition storage. The wet storage version was found to be superior and recommended to be standardised for all American Fireflies.
Conversion began in March 1945 and was meant to be completed by the end of April. A large variety of M4s and M4A3s were used for conversion (although all used the 75mm turret; the T23 turret used for the 76mm was deemed unsuitable for the 17-pounder). Allen claims to have accessed documents recording all converted Shermans and says that at least 7 had HVSS and large hatch design. Unfortunately, no images of HVSS-equipped M4A3 (17-pounder) could be found; the image at the top shows an M4A3 (17-pounder) with the older VVSS. Regardless, I shall suggest the HVSS-equipped version in the interest of uniqueness and performance. Apart from the new chassis, not many major changes were made. The radio was housed in an armoured box at the rear of the turret and the M2 HMG mount was moved. Since they were produced in 1945, it’s almost certain that they had access to APDS ammunition.
In early April, the US Army decided to stop the American Firefly conversion program at the first batch of 80 tanks. These tanks were to be split equally between the First and Ninth Armies, but it’s unclear whether they actually received these tanks. The American Fireflies likely never saw combat as the war in Europe was winding down by the time they were produced, and suggestions to move them to the Pacific Theatre were denied. Recommendations were made to keep them in Europe for occupation duty, while it was also possible that they were reconverted back to M4A3 (76) Ws. The ultimate fate of these tanks is still unknown.
Specifications
Hull specifications are largely identical to the M4A3 (76) W, while the turret is largely identical to the British Sherman Fireflies. Both are already in game for easy reference.
Crew: unknown, possibly 4 like the British Fireflies
Weight: battle weight 34.8t, empty weight probably similar to the M4A3 (76) W (i.e. 32.9t in game)
Armour: Hull armour same as M4A3, turret armour same as 75mm Sherman turret
Armament: 17-pounder with AP, HE, APDS (see Italian Sherman Vc for ammunition types), 77 rounds; coaxial .30 MG; pintle mounted .50 M2 HMG
Gun elevation/depression: unknown, but given that it uses the same turret as the British Firefly, likely -5˚/+25˚
Engine: 500hp Ford GAA V8 (note that this is the same regardless of whether HVSS or VVSS is used)
Top speed: 43km/h
Power to weight: 15.2hp/t
In-game
The M4A3 (17-pounder) was probably the best Sherman Firefly ever produced. While it doesn’t solve the main complaints of inadequate gun depression and the lack of a stabiliser, the improved armour and mobility should make it a comfortable vehicle to play with. It will also provide US players a unique and competent medium tank to fill their World War II line-up.
Sources
- “Armoured Thunderbolt: the US Army Sherman in World War II” by Steven Zaloga
- “M4 (76mm) Sherman Medium Tank 1943–65” by Steven Zaloga
- “Sherman Firefly” by David Fletcher
- “Sherman: A History of the American Medium Tank” by R. P. Hunnicutt
- “Retype of the conversion instructions for: Medium Tanks, M4 M4A3 and M4A3W (w/75mm Gun) – present British Conversion vs., Conversion for U.S. Troops.” by Mark Hayward
- “SHERMAN M4 AND M4A3 17 POUNDER IN US SERVICE. NEW INFORMATION.” by Mark Hayward
- “American Fireflies – M4 & M4A3 17-Pounder” by Joshua Allen