Quote:
Originally Posted by sapper  I repeat what the Germans called the Sherman's "Tommy Cookers" If you looked at them too long, they would burst into flames. Indeed the burst into flames on any excuse. Horrible things.
Sapper |
The early OR Reports found that 80% of Shermans burned when hit-compared to 60% of Panthers. Though the Tiger sample was small it also worked out at 80%.
Overal for Normandy the worst tank in terms of easy-to-kill was the Pz IV.
Battle losses 21 Arrmy Group to 31.12.44
June: Sherman 66, Cromwell 42, Churchill 16.
July: Sherman 186 Cromwell 28 Churchill 17.
August: Sherman 547 Cromwell 143 Churchill 142, Challenger 2.
September: Sherman 115 Cromwell 7 Churchill nil, Challenger nil.
October: Sherman 490 Cromwell 174 Churchill 56 Challenger 11.
November: Sherman 158 Cromwell 36 Churchill 81 Challenger 1
December: Sherman 157 Cromwell 5 Churchill 21 Challenger 1
(Obviously some earlier 'damaged' tanks were written off in August and October)
Totals:
Stuart M3 210
Stuart VI 80
Sherman 1717
Cromwell 435
Challenger 15
Churchill.. 333
total 2500 + 290 Stuarts December 1944 British tank numbers with Units:
472 Churchill
1,168 Sherman 75mm
605 Sherman 17-pdr
59 Sherman 76mm
522 Cromwell
31 Comet
Interesting note. The British tank totals (excluding Stuarts) was 2857 compared to 2700 US.