![]() ![]() Progressively thicker armor was added to hull front and turret mantlet in various improved models. Although the later modeled medium and heavy tanks were greatly feared, Buckley opined "The vast majority of German tanks encountered in Normandy were either inferior, or at least, merely equal to the Sherman." Regardless of this vulnerability, historian John Buckley has stated the M4 was "moderately superior" to the relatively small, but older Panzer IV. The 75 mm L/48 tank guns would penetrate up to a range of 1,370 – 1,500 meters, and larger guns could penetrate past 2,000 metres. Early versions had unfortunate shot traps, locations where the effect of slope was greatly reduced, located just in front of the driver and assistant driver. The armor of the M4 was effective against most early war anti-tank weapons, but was easily penetrated by later German tank guns and anti-tank guns. The hull rear-which protected and was offset from the rear radiator on some versions-was 38 mm (1.50 in) to the vertical or sloped to 85 degrees. The hull sides were 38–45 mm (1.50–1.77 in) thick, and vertical. ![]() M2 and M3 medium tanks also had sloped armor. Although the Russian T-34 is often credited for introducing sloped armor in a production tank, the Sherman's upper hull was angled at 56 degrees, while the lower half of the hull was curved. The M4’s gun mantlet was also protected by 76 mm (2.99 in) of armor sloped at 30 degrees, The turret side armor was 50 mm (1.97 in) a 5-degree angle while the rear was 64 mm at a 90-degree angle and the turret roof was 25 mm thick. The steel frontal turret armor of the M4 ranged from 64–76 mm (2.52–2.99 in). ![]()
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