Sainte-Mère-Église in Manche, Normandy, France — Western Europe
M4A4 Sherman
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
1. M4A4 Sherman Marker
En juillet 1940, les États-Unis mesurent l'importance du rôle des chars d'assaut et fondent l'Armored Force. Dans l'urgence, les ingénieurs développent un char moyen, le M2 qui est remplacé au bout de quelques semaines par le M3 Lee.
En septembre 1941, le prototype du M4 fait son apparition. Il est conçu sur une coque moulée en acier surmontée d'une tourelle pivotante à 360° avec un canon de 75 mm. La production démarre en 1942, avec plusieurs variantes. C'est à cette époque qu'il est surnommé Sherman par les Britanniques.
Au combat, le Sherman à une puissance de feu trop faible, une silhouette trop haute et un blindage insuffisant. Cependant, il est fiable et possède un rayon d'action correct et surtout, il est produit à plus de 50 000 exemplaires toutes versions confondues.
Le modèle exposé au musée est un M4A4 de 1943 produit par Chrysler Tank Arsenal de Détroit. Il est repeint aux couleurs de la compagnie C du 746th Tank Batallion rattachée le 6 juin 1944 à la 82nd Airborne Division.
Production - 7 500 exemplaires
Longueur - 6,06 m
Largeur - 2,62 m
Hauteur - 2,74 m
Masse au combat - 30 t
Armement principal - Canon de 75 mm
Armement secondaire - 2 mitrailleuses de 7,62 mm, 1 mitrailleuse M2 12,7 mm sur la tourelle
Moteur - Chrysler Multibanks A-57 30 cylindres essence, 410 CV à 2400 tr/min
Vitesse sur route - 40 km/h
Équipage - 5 hommes
In July 1940, recognizing the importance of the tank's role, the United States founded the Armored Force. Engineers hastily developed a medium tank, the M2, which was replaced a few weeks later by the M3 Lee.
Then in September 1941, the prototype M4 made its appearance. It was based on a casted steel hull topped by a 360° pivoting turret that was equipped with a 75 mm gun. Production of several variants began in 1942 at which time the British nicknamed it the Sherman.
In combat, the Sherman's firepower was weak, its profile too high and its armor insufficient. However, it was reliable with a decent range and above all could be mass-produced with over 50,000 units manufactured all versions combined.
The model presented is a 1943 M4A4 Sherman produced by the Chrysler Tank Arsenal of Detroit. It is repainted with the colors of C Company of the 746th Tank Battalion which was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division on June 6, 1944.
Production - 7,500 units
Length - 19 ft 8 in
Width - 8 ft 6 in
Height - 9 ft
Mass - 30t
Main armament - 75 mm gun
Secondary armament - 2x.30 caliber machine guns, 1x.50 caliber machine gun on turret
Engine - Chrysler Multibanks A-57, 30-cylinder gasoline engine, 410 hp at 2,400 грm
Road speed - 25 mph
Crew - 5 men
Erected by Airborne
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1940.
Location. 49° 24.497′ N, 1° 18.908′ W. Marker is in Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie (Normandy), in Manche. It is on Rue Eisenhower just east of Rue Général de Gaulle. The marker is located near the entrance to the museum. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 Rue Eisenhower, Sainte-Mère-Église, Normandie 50480, France. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, a coastal Mediterranean country, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once a French colony and also the Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: 88 mm FLAK 18-36-37-41 (here, next to this marker); A Tous Les Français / To all French People (a few steps from this marker); House on Fire at Sainte-Mère-Église (within shouting distance of this marker); Truck Cargo 6×6 CCKW 353 (within shouting distance of this marker);
Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 2025
2. The marker and the M4A4 Sherman
More about this marker. The markers and static displays are located on the grounds of the Airborne Museum and a small entrance fee is required to enter.
Also see . . . M4 Sherman. Wikipedia
The M4 Sherman, officially Medium Tank, M4, was the medium tank most widely used by the United States and Western Allies in World War II. The M4 Sherman proved to be reliable, relatively cheap to produce, and available in great numbers. It was also the basis of several other armored fighting vehicles including self-propelled artillery, tank destroyers, and armored recovery vehicles. Tens of thousands were distributed through the Lend-Lease program to the British Commonwealth, Soviet Union, and other Allied Nations. The tank was named by(Submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)the British after the American Civil War General William Tecumseh Sherman.Photographed by James Hulse, June 3, 20253. M4A4 Sherman
Credits. This page was last revised on December 13, 2025. It was originally submitted on December 12, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 96 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on December 13, 2025, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
