Great Stupid American Moments in History - The M4 Sherman "Tommy Cooker"

Though considered equal as a tank early in WW2,  The M4 was retained by the pig-headedness of General Patton.  He wanted to "Out Blitz" the German Blitzkrieg maneuver by keeping a tank that had WAY less armor and a WAY smaller gun than the new arrival German counterparts (The Tiger and The Panther). 

To be clear:  The M4 was okay early in the war because of the winning formula of half decent armor combined with a light and fast airplane engine (That used EXTREMELY volatile Fuel) meant that the Sherman could get around with only dead crews complaining how much that completely sucked!

As early as '42, The first Tigers rolled out and it was a bitch.  The tank crews in the dated M4 didn't enjoy cruising around the countryside in what amounted to, essentially, a rolling cremation machine.  Somewhere along the line they got the name "Ronson"("Lights up every time) and "Tommy Cookers" from the Jerries. 

Into Europe, The Allies needed a tank capable of fighting against the Tiger and Panther, which, would likely be fortified in entrenched positions.  The US had a design for such a tank but it would require a little bit of time for factories to retool as well as logistics. 

Patton, being the thick headed "Decisive" prick that he was said "Fuck it.  We use what we came with and build more to preserve impetus".  He wasn't the one cooking in a tank as the allies lost 5 tanks to one German tank. 

Meanwhile the out-of-touch war department starts asking the question "Why are we losing so many tanks?" 

Patton didn't want to report these losses because it would have undermined the tunnel vision of his strategy. 

The thing is:  The Allies wouldn't have needed any more than 1 in 5 super heavy tanks.  Enough armor for them to defeat the long 75 on the Panther at over 600 yards.  It doesn't even have to be a direct fire gun.  Maybe a mobile MASSIVE howitzer with armor using indirect fire.  Instead you relegate tank crews to die in the worst way possible.  You could still use most of the Sherman tanks to flush out enemy tanks and secure towns with infantry.  Since the air war had been dominated by the allies, there was no good reason not to use close combat support aircraft to stomp the fuck out of Panthers and Tigers since they didn't usually come equipped with even a turret mounted MG.  There is no good reason not to have tanks bristling with smoke launchers.  The best way not to be shot is not to be seen. 

Patton knew about Blitzkrieg tactics with combined arms strategy but he didn't have the versatility of mind to adapt it and use it effectively.  The meat head's only thought was "The enemy is off balance keep pushing forward"...Typical American "If giving it a little gas is good, flooring it is so much better".  So, instead of strategic consideration to an enemy hard point,  The tank crews were ordered to charge them in their tin foil coffins loaded up with fuel and explosives.  All that because "Old Blood and Guts" said if you didn't, you were a coward who deserved to be shot.  Although it wasn't Patton being shot.  It's fine to be brave it it isn't you who is doing the dying. 

It is not an easy path being a commanding officer.  You need a bundle of academic intelligence to be sure.  Logistics requires consideration of the data.  Yet, you can't just have linear thinking.  You have to have lateral thinking as well.  To this day, the latter is the less valuable skill.

Immediately after the war, Patton died in a car crash.  I'd like to think that karma is a bitch like that.  Maybe his essence will have joined those who suffered horrible deaths.  Maybe his spirit will have gained wisdom his corporeal body could not.