THE RED GAMBIT SERIES

you may know this --S. Zaloga  saya that Patton had extra armor added to all of his Shermans--usually the front slope from another sherman- this would give about 100mm --50+50 - even not being one plate and with some slope they would be 120+ they also added to the turret front and sides- the normal 76.2 and the 85 would it seems, have trouble with this -but certianly not the 100 or the 122

Also all the russian anit tank rounds had a buster if you'd like to use that concept but are fine as you are  like your tank fights--- using the German armor would have to be problematic-- as it was for the Germans -- not enough spares and while they could dominate a fight the were never enough for a larger strategic fight

The only thing I have noticed is the Mighty 8th is not so mighty -- liked the tall boys --

On the first point, this is not supoprted by photgraphic evidence. You can find a few, some even with concrete on, but you will find that most pics of Third Army Shermans are just plain and simple basics as far as front armour is concerned. After that there are the side panels welded on, but frontal protection was more likely to be increased by sandbags and chicken wire.

From my understanding, the geater concern was panzerfausts and anything that 'stood off' the tanks armour would do the job.

Tank versus tank always causes ripples, as people will see matters differently. For instance, a Sherman's 75mm against a Panther? Not a snowball's chance. However, if you listen to Bradley Walters, the Canadian tank commander, he used to fire at the underside of the mantlet and put his shell through the roof of the Panther. Soviet PTRD's could put a bullet through a sighting block and kill a German tank commander, so there are always different ways to skin a cat. The T34's 76mm was not good in an AT role with either of the versions. The 85mm S53 was an excellent gun and could take a Sherman out at battle ranges, much as the 76mm Shermans could do to it. They were very balanced opponents [according to the Korean War info I have seen] although the HVAP gave the US tanks one edge, optics another. The better speed, cross country capability and manouverability countering for the T34.

I once spent months and months [pre-internet] going through reference books and producing definitive armour and penetration figures on pretty much every tank and vehicle in WW2. In my wargaming, in a stand up fight between tanks, I will take the T34. For infantry support and for general purpose use, the Sherman takes it every time. I have hundreds of both of these models, but probably more sherman variants by far :-)

The might Eighth is doing its bit during the daylight hours and has come in strong in a couple of places. my problem is that the series is a vast undertaking and I simply will not be able to do full honour to all particpants, certainly not without making it a dreary 'factual' litany. I am committed to some units and some characters. Others will come and go in the blink of an eye. But I must remain focussed on the story and proper progression. There is a large part for the Eighth to play later on and I will try and do them justice.

Well those were comments not complaints-- over all even down to the particulars you are doing great-- I have several pictures of up armored shermans in different books-just and interesting point to me your fine-- your battles sometimes remind me of PC battles of such Battlefronts-- where you can fight to destruction when playing the AI

Keep up the good work and I understand your working with limitations and a world war- the commie secert service was brutal-- that has been the one real surprize to me-- btw like the tallboys cool stuff-oh and I am a firefighter for a samll rual town and a minister-- My dad got me inot WW@ as he was in Simpsons 9th army --sometimes under Montey-- and was wounded out side of Achan -- he was in armoured recon

You've made me look closer now. Still can't find many but enough to maybe get a mention sometime I reckon. What unit as your dad in?