M4 & M4A3 Shermans with 17pdr's in U.S. Service

[Jumbo]

Hi McIvan,

From the text I've read. It mentions the U.S. Army requested these conversions in the summer of 1944 for use in NW Europe and Italy. Pruduction /Conversions by the British were delayed until around January 1945 due to the lack of suitable 75mm Shermans from either US or British stocks. Ammunition shortage was also a factor and one that fatally delayed the program and caused the proposed numbers to be as limited as they were. These US 17pdr Shermans were also only delevired to units operating in Italy becouse as you said the lack of powerfully armed US tank types in that theater of operation. By 1945 the US Army in NW Europe allready had large numbers of M36 Jacksons armed with the 90mm and T26E3 Pershings also armed with 90mm entering the theater, And so the focus was put on getting those 17pdr Shermans in the theater where they were needed most.

The M4A3 wet hull Sherman type was prefered as it saved between 20-30 percent less man hours to convert. I'll keep looking for more stuff on it. A photo would be nice too.