Developed as a replacement for the M3 Lee and Grant medium tanks, the M4 Sherman was the first American tank to carry a 75mm main gun mounted on a fully traversing turret. Equipped with a gyro-stabilizer that enabled it to fire with reasonable accuracy while on the move, the Sherman proved a fair match against the Nazi Panzer III and IV and far superior than its Japanese adversaries. While the German Tiger and Panther tanks proved to be superior weapons, the mobility and reliability of the Sherman and the sheer number of them placed in the field -- over 50,000 were built during the war -- helped even the odds. The Sherman remained a mainstay after WWII, and saw service in Korea, during the Arab-Israeli Wars, and in conflicts between India and Pakistan. Intended as a general purpose manual for the platoon leader, tank commander and crew, this FM 17-76 field manual shows how to achieve efficient execution of mounted and dismounted action, and precision and speed in service of the weapon. Originally restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The M4 Sherman medium tank was the first American tank to carry a 75mm main gun mounted on a fully traversing turret. Powered by a 500 horsepower, liquid-cooled, "V"-type Ford engine, the tank could achieve 26 miles per hour on a paved road, and had a highway range of over 150 miles on a single, 174-gallon tank of fuel. Over 50,000 Shermans of various types were built during WWII. Intended as a manual for those charged with operation and maintenance of the M4A3 Sherman, this manual shows the basics of how to drive the tank and take care of its 8-cylinder, liquid-cooled engine. The book also contains chapters on lubrication and inspections. Originally printed in 1942 and labeled restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The Light Tank M3 and M5, known as the General Stuart, was the first tank used by American forces in armored combat during WWII. Like its predecessor the M2A4, the Stuart was armed with a 37mm M5 main gun. It also carried up to five Browning machine guns and 7500 rounds of ammunition. The M3 version sported radial aero-engines, replaced in the M5 with smoother, cooler twin Cadillac automobile engines. The M5 also featured improved sloped armor and had the driver's hatches moved up top. In the European Theater, where enemy armored vehicles were plentiful, the Stuart's weak main gun meant that it served primarily in cavalry and infantry support roles. In the Pacific, where enemy armor was less of a threat and close support was a necessity, the Stuart's maneuverability proved a valuable asset. Over 25,000 Stuarts and variants were produced during the war, and they eventually served in the armies of over thirty countries including the Soviet Union, India and Republic of China Army. A few continue in active service military today. Intended as a general purpose manual for the platoon leader, tank commander and crew, this 1944 War Department FM 17-68 field manual shows how to achieve efficient execution of mounted and dismounted action, and precision and speed in service of the weapon. Originally restricted, this manual was declassified long ago and is here reprinted in book form. Care has been taken to preserve the integrity of the text.

The M4 Sherman can be said to be the tank that won World War II. With almost fifty thousand built during the war, it was America’s primary armored fighting vehicle during the war. Thousands of these found their way into the inventories of the British Army and Soviet Red Army as well as other allies. This manual covers the development of the Sherman, the vast array of variants, and the use of the hull and chassis for other purposes. Also covered is production, anatomy, paintwork, and markings. Information on the M4 in action takes the reader from combat against Rommel’s Afrika Korps to Italy, the invasion at Normandy, and the race across France. And it wouldn’t be a Haynes manual without practical information about owning, restoring, and maintaining a Sherman tank. Whether you are an armchair General Patton or a serious collector, tips on buying a tank, special tools, handling heavy components, and recommended fluids and lubricants will prove invaluable.

“A superbly organized, well-written, detailed history of the Sherman tank” with hundreds of photos and diagrams included (Armor Magazine). The Medium Tank, M4, better known to the British as the Sherman, was the most widely used medium tank by the United States and western Allies in World War II. Reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and easy to maintain, thousands were distributed to the British Commonwealth and the Soviet Union by the Lend-Lease program. It first saw combat in North Africa, where it outclassed lighter German and Italian tanks. By 1944 the M4 was outgunned by the German heavy tanks, but it still contributed to the fight when deployed in numbers and supported by artillery and fighter-bombers. A detailed insight into the development and deployment of the M4, this book covers the design and construction of the chassis, turret, engine, armaments, and munitions, and differences between the variants of the M4. It covers the difficulties facing the crews who fought in this legendary tank, exploring the training they received and the different combat methods perfected by the Allies, including landing from a landing craft, maneuvering in the bocage of Normandy, and fighting in the snow. Fully illustrated with hundreds of contemporary and modern photographs and detailed diagrams, this complete account provides all the technical details of the construction of the M4, its maintenance and repair, and the logistics required to support it in combat. Whether you are a collector, a modeler, or simply passionate about military history, this book will provide you with an unparalleled insight into the M4. “Period photos, preservation shots, interior details, variant schematics, archival excerpts, armament and ammunition drawings, and more . . . Make it your introduction to this legendary tank family.” —Cybermodeler

“An important contribution to the history of World War II . . . I have never before been able to learn so much about maintenance methods of an armored division, with precise details that underline the importance of the work, along with descriptions of how the job was done.”—Russell F. Weigley, author of Eisenhower’s Lieutenants “Cooper saw more of the war than most junior officers, and he writes about it better than almost anyone. . . . His stories are vivid, enlightening, full of life—and of pain, sorrow, horror, and triumph.”—Stephen E. Ambrose, from his Foreword “In a down-to-earth style, Death Traps tells the compelling story of one man’s assignment to the famous 3rd Armored Division that spearheaded the American advance from Normandy into Germany. Cooper served as an ordnance officer with the forward elements and was responsible for coordinating the recovery and repair of damaged American tanks. This was a dangerous job that often required him to travel alone through enemy territory, and the author recalls his service with pride, downplaying his role in the vast effort that kept the American forces well equipped and supplied. . . . [Readers] will be left with an indelible impression of the importance of the support troops and how dependent combat forces were on them.”—Library Journal “As an alumnus of the 3rd, I eagerly awaited this book’s coming out since I heard of its release . . . and the wait and the book have both been worth it. . . . Cooper is a very polished writer, and the book is very readable. But there is a certain quality of ‘you are there’ many other memoirs do not seem to have. . . . Nothing in recent times—ridgerunning in Korea, firebases in Vietnam, or even the one hundred hours of Desert Storm—pressed the ingenuity and resolve of American troops . . . like WWII. This book lays it out better than any other recent effort, and should be part of the library of any contemporary warrior.”—Stephen Sewell, Armor Magazine “Cooper’s writing and recall of harrowing events is superb and engrossing. Highly recommended.”—Robert A. Lynn, The Stars and Stripes “This detailed story will become a classic of WWII history and required reading for anyone interested in armored warfare.”—Publishers Weekly (starred review) “[Death Traps] fills a critical gap in WWII literature. . . . It’s a truly unique and valuable work.”—G.I. Journal