M4A3 (105) (France)

▄M4A3 (105)

▄M10 GMC

▄M4A3 (105)

▄M10 GMC

France

II Rank

Battle rating:

AB	RB	SB
3.0	3.0	3.0

Class:

Medium tank

Research:11 000

Purchase:22 000

Show in game

Description

The ▄Medium Tank M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman is a rank II French medium tank with a battle rating of 3.0 (AB/RB/SB). It was introduced in Update 1.97 "Viking Fury". Armed with a M4 (105 mm) instead of the standard M3 (75 mm) cannon, the howitzer grants the Sherman a much more powerful high-explosive shell to use against lightly-armoured enemies. When the HEAT round is unlocked for the cannon, its firepower against more heavily armoured vehicle increases substantially.

General info

Survivability and armour

• Rolled homogeneous armour (Hull, Turret roof)
• Cast homogeneous armour (Turret, Transmission area)

Armour	Front (Slope angle)	Sides	Rear	Roof
Hull	63.5 mm (47º) Front glacis	38.1 mm	38.1 mm (22º) Top 38.1 mm (13-44º) Bottom	19.5 mm
Turret	76.2 mm (3-67º) Turret front	50.8 mm (2-69º)	50.8 mm (2-66º)	25.4 mm
Armour	Sides		Roof
Cupola	63.5 mm		25.4 mm

Notes:

• Suspension Wheels are 15 mm thick, bogies are 10 mm thick, and tracks are 20 mm thick;
• Lower part of the hull ("break") is 107.9 mm thick;
• A small patch on the turret front right side is thinner (50.8 mm) than the rest (76.2 mm);

The M4A3 (105) has certain flaws that can be exploited quite well. First of all, the howitzer armament means that the shell travels in a low-velocity, meaning the M4A3 (105) will be unlikely to engage at a long distance. Another is the fact that the M4A3 (105)'s gun has a long reload and a slow traverse speed, meaning it is also not very good in a close-range encounter. Despite these flaws, the M4A3 (105) is a formidable foe with its armament. The HE and HEAT shell the 105 mm can dish out has a real possibility to knock out friendly crew and teammates, if not absolutely destroying light tanks. These high-explosives can also break tracks easily, causing the player tank to be immobilized and exposed not only to the M4A3 (105), but to the other enemies as well, and the M4A3 (105) will most likely not be alone.

To engage the M4A3 (105), try not to engage its frontal armour if in a tank with BR lower than 3.7. It's frontal armour, despite what most will say about the Sherman's armour, is quite formidable and can deflect most incoming enemy round from light and medium tanks. This is why it is recommended to bring high-velocity guns like the M7 (76 mm) on the M10 GMC or the KwK40 (75 mm) on the later Panzer IV. If it can't be engaged from the front, manoeuvre to its side and rear armour, as these armour plate are extremely vulnerable to even 37 mm guns. When manoeuvring around the M4A3 (105), try not expose the tank for a prolonged time and move faster than the M4A3 (105)'s slow turret traverse rate (though beware that the M4A3 can compensate this slow turn by turning the entire body). If fast enough, a tank could also move past the 105 mm low-velocity shell and mess up the enemy's lead. This will eventually lead to a good shot on the M4A3's weak points. Another simpler and less mobile way is to lie in wait in a tank destroyer such as the StuG III for the M4A3 to move tight into the TD's line of fire, giving a clean shot to a vulnerable armour part. A good shot on a general part of the hull can ignite one of the many ammo racks strewn around the interior.

Mobility

Game Mode	Max Speed (km/h)		Weight (tons)	Engine power (horsepower)		Power-to-weight ratio (hp/ton)
	Forward	Reverse		Stock	Upgraded	Stock	Upgraded
Arcade	47	7	31.7	775	954	24.45	30.09
Realistic	42	6		442	500	13.94	15.77

Armaments

Main armament

105 mm M4					Turret rotation speed (°/s)					Reloading rate (seconds)
Mode	Capacity	Vertical	Horizontal	Stabilizer	Stock	Upgraded	Full	Expert	Aced	Stock	Full	Expert	Aced
Arcade	66	-10°/+35°	±180°	N/A	5.7	7.9	9.6	10.6	11.3	13.00	11.50	10.60	10.00
Realistic					3.6	4.2	5.1	5.6	6.0

Ammunition

Penetration statistics
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Penetration @ 0° Angle of Attack (mm)
		10 m	100 m	500 m	1,000 m	1,500 m	2,000 m
M1 shell	HE	27	27	27	27	27	27
M67 shot	HEAT	130	130	130	130	130	130

Shell details
Ammunition	Type of warhead	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Fuse delay (m)	Fuse sensitivity (mm)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)	Ricochet
							0%	50%	100%
M1 shell	HE	472	14.85	0.1	0.1	2,180	79°	80°	81°
M67 shot	HEAT	381	13.14	0.0	0.1	1,610	62°	69°	73°

Smoke shell characteristics
Ammunition	Velocity (m/s)	Projectile Mass (kg)	Screen radius (m)	Screen deploy time (s)	Screen hold time (s)	Explosive Mass (TNT equivalent) (g)
M84	457	14.9	20	5	25	50

Ammo racks

Ammo racks of the M4A3 (105) (identical).

Full ammo	1st rack empty	2nd rack empty	3rd rack empty	4th rack empty	5th rack empty	Visual discrepancy
66	54 (+12)	34 (+32)	22 (+44)	13 (+53)	1 (+65)	No

Notes:

• Racks disappear after you've fired all shells in the rack.
• To go into battle with the turret empty of ammo, pack 22 (+44) shells (racks 1 to 3 emptied).

Machine guns

12.7 mm M2HB
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Pintle mount	600 (200)	576	-10°/+30°	±60°

7.62 mm M1919A4
Mount	Capacity (Belt)	Fire rate	Vertical	Horizontal
Coaxial	3,000 (250)	500	N/A	N/A

Usage in battles

This tank plays best as a support tank, stay with other tanks that have better side armour while using the relatively thick front armour to soak a few shots. Use the HEAT rounds to penetrate most armour of the M4A3 (105)'s rank and above, and remember that the M4A3 (105) is no brawler, so staying in the front line too close to hostiles will most likely spell a K.O. by ammo or crew. This tank gun has a very low velocity, so make sure to compensate for a large amount of drop

Having in mind the large calibre of this tank's main weapon, one can conclude that the HE shell (M1 shell) is big enough to dispatch some tanks. However, any armour larger than 28 mm won't let the explosion result in penetration. So for firing at strong armour plates, the HEAT shell (M67 shot) is required. It should be a top priority to research it. The HE shell will, however, be the most effective option whenever this Sherman's controller can find a suitably soft spot in the enemy vehicle's armour. Against soft vehicles, like most SPAA, the choice of ammunition for the main gun is fairly irrelevant, since a single shot should be enough to dispatch one of these, and remaining crew members can be taken down with one of the tank's Browning machine guns, although HE is certainly the most effective at dishing out damage when armour is absent.

The HEAT round, unlike the HE one, has a tracer charge, which facilitates aiming. This is not critical, however, since the HE shell's sheer size allows for it to be seen without too much effort.

Tactics

The M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman is a support tank, not a front-line brawler. Its adequate armour protection and a powerful gun put it on about the level of the M10 Tank Destroyer, but it has certain flaws and qualities that make it different than the usual Sherman tanks. Due to the 105 mm howitzer, knocking out the enemy crew in lightly armoured vehicles is a piece of cake. Aim for the enemy tank's lower turret to cause the most damage possible with the HE shells, as the HE shrapnel can be deflected down onto the hull roof and mess up the enemy crew. The 105 mm HE could also be aimed at the enemy tracks to blow it off, immobilizing the enemy. If none of the HE shells does damage to the target (which shouldn't happen most of the time), a well-placed HEAT shell, once unlocked, can easily set a tank aflame or blow up ammo stores. Don't get to close to enemy vehicles unless it is a limited traverse gun tank destroyer, in which case blow up its tracks with a HE that should do the trick.

A downfall(s) of the M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman is its average mobility, slow turret traverse, and slow reload. Therefore, it is recommended to stick to allied tanks like glue or rely on hit-and-run tactics. The low velocity makes long-range shots relatively difficult. Never stay in the sights of tanks such as the long-barrel 75 mm Panzer IV F2/G, StuG III F/G or T-34/KV-1. These tanks can penetrate the M4A3 (105) HVSS Sherman's front armour, some more easily than others. Try not to get hit in the rear area as it will set the tank on fire and immobilize it, putting it in an extremely disadvantageous situation.

Enemies worth noting:

LVT(A)(4)(ZiS-2): don't assume that you are indestructible in a downtier. If you see the giant boat-like chassis of a LVT but with a long cannon on top, be very careful. This LVT is able to penetrate your armor easily within 400m, or if you are not angling the hull. To block its incoming shells, either angle your hull, be at a hull-down position or be >500m away from it. While its shells can tear through your armor with ease, you can also effortlessly destroy it with your HEAT by causing a hull break. While you reload, don't forget to wiggle around in a patternless way to mess up its aim -- its gun traverse rather slowly, making it quite hard to keep up with moving targets.

Modules

Tier	Mobility		Protection	Firepower
I	Tracks		Parts	Horizontal Drive	M67 shot
II	Suspension	Brake System	FPE	Adjustment of Fire
III	Filters		Crew Replenishment	Elevation Mechanism
IV	Transmission	Engine		Artillery Support	M84	Smoke grenade

• Parts, M67 shot and FPE are key! Followed by all accuracy improvements, everything else is optional, but Artillery and all mobility upgrades are welcomed.

Pros and cons

Pros:

• Devastating against lightly armoured tanks
• HE shells can cause serious damages even with a non-penetrating hit
• HEAT shell option with approximately 130 mm of penetration at any range, making it able to take on even the KV-1 from the front
• Both HE and HEAT shells have a high chance of causing hull breaks on lightly armoured foes
• .50 cal machine gun on top can provide AA defence
• Good mobility, best hp/weight ratio of any Sherman
• HVSS suspension gives good cross-country mobility
• Wide tracks makes it easier to brake at high speeds and climb steep mountains
• Better sloped frontal armour that can withstand lots of punishment
• Smoke grenades (only USA Sherman equipped with them) and smoke shells are very useful for team support and self-protection

Cons:

• Poor ballistics, especially with HEAT shells, long-range fighting is not recommended, due to its extremely low shell velocity
• Slow reverse speed, retreating from dangerous situations may be a hassle
• Stock HE ineffective against even moderately armoured tanks
• HEAT shell post-penetration damage is somewhat punctual, follow up shots may be required at times
• Often targeted due to the large 105 mm gun
• Side and rear armour are very weak in comparison to the front
• Very slow turret traverse rate, relies on turning hull to get gun onto targets away from turret front
• Poor stationary turning ability combined with slow turret traverse makes flanking enemies a dangerous foe
• Long reload of more than 10 seconds

History

Combat usage

Each US tank regiment was equipped with a few 105 mm M4A3 at the end of WW2. Their role was to support the other armoured units by destroying fortifications and obstacles. The M4A3 (105) was not provided officially to the Free French Forces through the lend-lease program. However, as they were embedded under US command in preparation of the invasion of France, a few French armoured divisions received the tank from US Army stocks. The French 2nd Armoured Division received several M4A3 (105) under those circumstances in the UK in 1944. They saw combat action in France in 1944 and in Western Germany in early 1945. After the war, many M4A3 (105) were supplied by the US to European countries as part of the Mutual Defense Assistance Act. France received 230 units they allocated to their cavalry units garrisoned in the French occupation zone in Germany. These M4A3 (105) never saw combat.

Media

Skins

• Skins and camouflages for the M4A3 (105) (France) from live.warthunder.com.

Videos

High-explosive power discusses the M4A3 (105) (France) at 4:24 - War Thunder Official Channel

See also

Vehicles equipped with the same chassis

• M4 Sherman (Family)

Vehicles equipped with the same gun

• M4A3 (105)

Other vehicles of similar configuration and role

• StuH 42 G
• Sav m/43 (1946)

External links

• [Wikipedia] M4 Sherman
• [Tanks Encyclopedia] Medium Tank M4 Sherman