Curious sheet of steel on the rear deck of Shermans

[the_shadock]

Hello,

During my trip with Neil at Saumur, I noticed that at least 3 Shermans and M10 Wolverine exposed there had a curious sheet of steel fixed in the exhaust area. A tank in eastern France (Sherman "Chemin des Dames" at Grussenheim) has the same piece of steel, and it's a WW2 veteran which landed on Utah Beach in August 1944, with the 2nd French Armored Division (Leclerc's).
The 3 Sherman tanks which also have this piece of steel at Saumur also seem to be WW2 veterans, and they are probably also tanks which landed on Utah with the 2dn Fr AD. : The Sherman M4A2 "Corse", the Sherman M4A2 or A3 "Montmirail", the M10 Wolverine "Sirocco".

Here are some pictures of the sheet of steel in question (pics from the "Chemin des Dames") :







Could this be the remains of the device which was used to protect the exhaust system against water when the tanks landed on Utah beach? (see the pic below)



Pierre-Olivier

[the_shadock]

Picture of the rear deck of the Sherman "Corse" with a similar steel plate :

http://news.webshots.com/photo/2112333270100192038pyxITA

More pictures to come soon.

P-O

[Jens_O_Mehner]

Nope,

no remains of the wading gear, IIRC it's an exhaust deflector- others know more and will correct me as needed.

Cheers,

Jens O.

[toadmanstankpictures]

- Jens_O_Mehner

Nope,

no remains of the wading gear, IIRC it's an exhaust deflector- others know more and will correct me as needed.

Cheers,

Jens O.

I think your right. In anycase, "Chemin des Dames" has been re-engined with a radial so that makes me doubt even more that it is the remains of wading gear.

[SHAWN]

i am with jens and chris, it looks more like it would be an exhaust deflector. it looks more like a deflector/shield as opposed to the remains of an exhaust for the deep water fording kit. (the exit looks small and it isnt enclosed, basically just a deflector)

[bsmart]

I agree with the deflector. It looks like it is designed to direct the exhaust away from the ground which would reduce the dust plume.

At least that is my opinion