THROUGH THE ARCHIVES: New Sherman tank is 'more of match for the enemy'

From the News Letter, July 18, 1944
A British Sherman 'Firefly' tank patrolling the Meuse at Namur in 1944A British Sherman 'Firefly' tank patrolling the Meuse at Namur in 1944
A British Sherman 'Firefly' tank patrolling the Meuse at Namur in 1944

The News Letter reported on this day in 1944 that the army's new 17-pounder-gunned Sherman tank was to be called 'Firefly', indeed it was noted that “it can deal with any German tank on the Normandy battlefield”.

Details of the new tank were relayed to the News Letter by a Reuter’s special correspondent at Supreme Headquarters.

The Reuter's correspondent had gained the insight from Lieutenant John C Wilson, a Canadian, who fought alongside them in the battles north of Caen.

Lieutenant Wilson said: “Believe me, the Firefly is better than anything the Germans have got.

“The German Mark VI 'Tiger' is a good tank but heavy and clumsy and the ‘Firefly' can outmanoeuvre it on any terrain.”

“The 17-pounder gun is good, too, and quite a match for the 'Tiger’s' 88mm, which is a first class weapon.”

Lieutenant Wilson was also enthusiastic about the orthodox Sherman with its 75 mm gun, one of which he himself captained in Normandy.

Forced to cover an infantry withdrawal near Cheux one day, Lieutenant Wilson told how he had to smash through no fewer than six formidable walls, “and his machine came out practically unscathed and running perfectly”.

He instanced the accuracy of the 75 mm gun by telling his gunner who, with his first shot in action, completely knocked out a German Mark IV.

He said: “Their guns are very versatile, too, being able to fire either HE, anti-personnel or small ammunition.

“Believe me, although Churchills are fine tanks men who go on to Shermans never want to go back to Churchills again.”

He added: “The German 'Panther' is pretty formidable from the front, but its sides are paper thin and very vulnerable. The Germans often mock-up their 'Tigers' with dummy armour and camouflage to look like 'Panthers' in an attempt to frighten off the lighter-gunned Allied tanks,” he added.