One of the best books that I ever read about the Russian convoys was fiction:
I knew we supplied the Russians. Had no idea of the number but assumed it was high.
Never knew about the diesel either.
I learn something every day. Now if I could remember.....
The Shermans were easy to produce, light enough for most bridges and nimble.
However the propensity to burn and the short barreled low velocity main gun made them unequal to the task of taking on a Panther or even a Mark IV.
As a kid I read a book about the convoys to Russia. There were MEN crewing those ships.
One of the best books that I ever read about the Russian convoys was fiction:
At the time the Sherman was designed, the bulk of Kraut armor was the MK III, and short barrel 75mm MK IVs. In early 1941, the Sherman, as designed, was superior to both.
As the war progressed, the Sherman was modified to meet the increasing capability of the MK IV, by that time the backbone of German armored forces. It was never envisioned as an equal to the MK V and MK VI tanks. When the Sherman was designed, the Americans didn’t even know the Germans were creating these designs.