Three Sherman IIIs of 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade

Three Sherman IIIs (M4A2) of 2nd Canadian Armoured Brigade. The Sherman M4A2 was the most widely built variant, serving with the British, Canadians, Soviets and the United States Marine Corps. It had twin Continental diesel engines and a 75mm main gun that could fire either armor piercing or high explosive rounds. 2nd Armoured landed three regiments on D-Day. The 6th Armoured Regiment (the 1st Hussars) The 10th Armoured Regiment (The Fort Garry Horse), and the 27th Armoured Regiment. 6th and 10th Armoured had A and B Squadrons armed with Sherman V Duplex Drive (DD amphibious tanks) and C Squadron with Sherman IIIs and Firefly VCs (17-pounder 77mm (3 inch) anti-tank gun). The 27th had a mix of Sherman IIIs and Firefly VCs. Except for the Battle of Le Mesnil-Patry on June 11, 1944, 2nd Armoured rarely fought as a unit; its regiments were attached to infantry units for support. 2nd Armoured was the largest user of Sherman IIIs in Canadian service. It was one of the few armored units to fight from Normandy to the end of the war.