M4A4 Sherman Tank

Learn about the M4A4 Sherman tank's strengths, weaknesses, and combat role in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. Get tips for using it effectively against German armor.

Alright, let's talk about the M4A4 Sherman tank in Medal of Honor: Allied Assault. This iconic American workhorse is a medium tank, capable of hitting speeds up to 30 miles per hour. While it might not pack the same punch or have the thickest armor as its German counterparts, its real strength in the war came down to sheer numbers. Think of it as the reliable everyday car of the tank world – not the fastest or most powerful, but there were tons of them, and they got the job done.

Here's a quick rundown of what this beast brings to the fight:

• Weight: Around 35 tons.
• Main Gun: A 75mm, 40 caliber cannon. It can penetrate about 3.7 inches of armor from 500 yards away.
• Armor: Frontal armor is about 2.8 inches thick, sides are 1.6 inches, and the rear is 1.4 inches.
• Crew: Needs five soldiers to operate.
• Secondary Armament: Comes with three machine guns for close-quarters defense.

Now, here's the tough part: in a head-to-head slugfest, the Sherman is often outmatched. Even the Panzer IV, the least powerful German tank it faced, had a better gun. Against the fearsome Panther and Tiger tanks, the Sherman is in serious trouble. Their frontal armor is significantly thicker – 4.8 inches for the Panther and 4.0 inches for the Tiger. This means your 75mm cannon will struggle to do damage to their front, even up close. On the flip side, their guns can easily chew through the Sherman's front armor from pretty much any distance. It's a rough matchup.

So, how do you make the Sherman work when you're up against these heavy hitters? Your best bet is to use its maneuverability and flanking ability. The only real way to take down a Panther or Tiger is to hit them in the side or rear armor, where it's much thinner. This means you'll need to be smart, use cover, and try to get into a position where you can attack their vulnerable spots. Ambush tactics are key here – lay in wait and strike when you have the advantage.

Despite its combat limitations against heavier German tanks, the Sherman had two huge advantages that made it a winner: reliability and simplicity. In the chaos of war, a tank that just keeps running is invaluable. A minor breakdown, like a sticky clutch, could mean losing the tank entirely, especially during a retreat. Shermans were known for being dependable, and their straightforward design meant they could be produced in massive numbers. Over 49,000 of them were built during WWII, vastly outproducing all German tank output combined. So, while you might feel outgunned sometimes, remember you're often fighting with the backbone of the Allied armored forces!