- Yes
- 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 being often 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 tank discussed in this suggestion is the mainstay of the 6th South African Armoured Division, the Sherman V, or M4A4. Used by the 6th from 1944 onwards, it saw them across the Italian campaign and took part in all the major engagements. It was well liked by its crews, for much the same reason as other allied nations, it was versatile, reliable, easy to maintain, and balanced effective firepower with good protection for the crew.
Specifications
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Images
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Sources