US Armor & Vehicles

Jumbo Sherman Tank

A relatively recent photo of an M4A3E2 "Jumbo Sherman" with a 76mm gun. The Jumbos were originally armed with the standard 75mm gun, although they were designed for the 76mm, but as they were to presumably be used against static fortifications and troops, it was thought the 75mm short gun was a better choice. After the inital tanks were delivered, several units began to add armor on to their existing Shermans, especially those M4A3E8's with the 76mm gun creating over 100 "Field Expedient Jumbos", some of which spearheaded the drive to relieve Bastogne in the Battle of the Bulge. The Jumbos actually had thicker armor than a Tiger I tank. --Nick