Did USMC Shermans in early to mid 1945 have external phone boxes on them? If so can anyone direct me to a photo of one (the phone box)? I'm thinking they didn't, but thought I'd get some help from you folks. Thanks.

Steve,

Phone boxes REALLY didn't come into use until late summer 1945, as a result of the improvised tank-infantry systems of Iwo and Oki. The standard was either a EE8 field phone wired into the system contained in a musette bag or pack or just a field phone in it's case propped inside the extra track link brackets on the right rear of the tank.

We have one on our Sherman in the NMMC, but all of us acknowledge that it is incorrect...

Check out Dave Harpers book on Iwo Tanks for GREAT photos...THE reference on the subject.

S/F

Pat

Hello,
In Ed Gilberts book about Marine Tanks in the Pacific has some great shots of Shermans with infantry phones and graphics attached to the rear and wading trunks.

Tanks
Andy

Thanks for the references gents.