Short version: The US army did not use the M4A2 Sherman in Europe (some DD version were used for Normandy landing). This is the Diesel engine version of the M4 Sherman. Should be either M4A, M4A1 or M4A3.
Long story:
Since the A2 used the diesel engine, for supply simplification they didn’t use it in Europe since the other tanks used gasoline.
A and A1 had a continental radial engine with the difference being the A1 used a cast hull (has a gentle slope) while the A used a welded hull (sharp corners).
A2 used a diesel engine. The Russians and US Marines (in Pacific) used it.
A3 used the Ford V8 which was the same as one for their trucks… the byproduct of this is many, many men knew how to work on them.
A4 used 2 Chrysler engines in a ‘multibank’ (connected together). The British really like this version while the Russians didn’t as they were worried it was so complex it would break down (ironic since T-34 wasn’t expected to survive/work for more than 150km).
The British used a roman numeral to denote the version
A = I
A1 = II
A2 = III
A3 = IV
A4 = V
They used letters to denote the variations primarily based on the gun. The most famous was the Sherman VC which used the 17pdr (76mm) main gun.
If you find an error, please let me know with references. I’m an amateur WWII historian… spent quite a bit of time on the Sherman. Always willing to learn.
