Hi everyone, I'm in need of some help please. I'm working on a project with a couple of friends and my question is: Would I be correct if I said the Corps used both M4A3 and A2s on Iwo? I'm almost positive they did. Just looking for concrete info-thanks in advance.


Rich

Yes, it would.

There's a thread over at Missing Links on this from a few years ago.

Thanks Marc for your reply. I thought I saw a thread about this but couldn't remeber where as it was a long time ago. There was some debate about whether or not A3s were used on Iwo. Thanks again-

Rich

Rich,

MOST of the marine Sherman on Iwo were A3s. The 4th and 5th Tank Battalions were equipped with A3s with 47 degree front glacis slope. The other Tank Battalion (3rd or 6th, I can never remember which) had the A2s.

So, in fact, you and your friends should have been wondering if any A2s made it onto Iwo, rather than A3s. That extra tank battalion was, if I remember correctly, originally slated to be used on Okinawa, but due to heavy losses on Iwo, was committed there. Thus, it was very close to their being no A2s at all on Iwo.

Rob

Hey Rob, thanks for your answer. I knew it went something like that-by the way, did Steven Zaloga come out with another concord book on Pacific theater Shermans recently, or am I confusing it with something else? Thanks again for your help.

Rich

Rich,

Not that I know of. Not in the Concord series, anyway. Maybe in Osprey? Not sure. Sadly, though his Tank Battles of the Pacific War has many great photos, many of the Shermans, by his own admission, are miscaptioned as M4A2, when they should be A3. People keep buying the book, though, and the myth is perpetuated. Kind of like the Earth Brown over OD camo on Shermans in Europe, which he now says were more likely black over OD.

A better source for Pacific Sherman info is Oscar Ed Gilbert's Marine Tank Battles of the Pacific War. It's not an Osprey or Concord book, but is the best source on the topic. He's pretty much a regular over on ML as well.

HTH.

Rob

There are some pics of M4A3's with the USMC over at the Hardcorps models website.

Marc and Rob, thanks for the answers. I still like that Zaloga book, just have to make a note of the corrections! Where can I buy that book by Oscar Edward Gilbert, any one know?

Rich,

Try Amazon. They usually have it listed. I'm not sure, but it may only be available in softcover or by a different publisher than originally, and I've heard the photo repro quality is not as good. Still, his info is really what you're after. And, when looking at the Zaloga book about Iwo, just keep in mind that most of those listed as A2 are A3, and it won't be much of a problem.

Rob

hey Rob, thanks for the info. Sorry my reply is so late. Been busy at work and other commitments. Thanks again for your help.

Rich