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- No
Introduction
Established in early 1943, the 6th South African Armoured division was a mechanised division representing the bulk of South Africa’s heavy armour during WW2. The division was composed of South African volunteers and integrated Allied forces. Under the command of Major General W.H.E. Poole, the division was trained in Egypt for much of 1943, before being deployed into the invasion of Italy alongside the British, Americans, and other Allies.
Over the course of the campaign, the 6th South African Armoured Division distinguished itself highly, including during the liberation of Florence and battles in the Apennine Mountains. It played a vital role in disrupting German defensive lines, utilising its tanks effectively, despite often being significantly outmatched by Axis armour. The Italian campaign was an absolute hellish slog, against well entrenched German forces, but the South Africans consistently managed to do more with less. By the end of the war, the division had a well-earned reputation as an effective fighting force, leaving a lasting legacy in South African military history.
The vehicle being discussed in this suggestion is the Sherman IIA, known in US service as the M4A1(76)W. It was a variant of the iconic American Sherman tank equipped with a more powerful 76 mm gun. Introduced late in World War II, this version addressed the need for increased firepower to counter heavily armored German tanks such as the Panther and Tiger. As well as this, addition of a wet stowage system for ammunition reduced the risk of catastrophic cook offs when hit. It became a mainstay of Allied armored units from 1944 onward and played an important role in liberating Europe.
In South African service, the Sherman IIA was a cornerstone of the 6th South African Armoured Division’s operations in the later stages of the Italian Campaign. After transitioning from earlier models like the Crusader and M3 Grant, then on to Early, 75mm Shermans division adopted the Sherman IIA in late 1944 for its improved firepower. South African crews used the Sherman IIA to great effect in key battles, including the advance on Florence and then Operation Grapeshot. The upgraded firepower proved invaluable, whether it was brought to bear on enemy infantry, armour, or fortifications. Following WW2, the South Africans kept the Sherman IIA in service with their domestic army for a considerable time, not retiring them until the 1950s/60s.
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