Produktbeschreibung
Medium Tank, M4A3 Dozer (75mm) - M4 Dozer tanks were used in Italy after the landings in '43 and again in the Invasion of Europe in '44. The Engineer Corps Dozers were minus turrets - Pack contains 1 Tank, 1 Tank Commander and 1 Dismounted Crew figures.
The destruction generated by military operations, and various obstacles deployed by the Axis forces to slow down the progress of the Allied armour led to the need for a dozer tank.
The US needed an armoured dozer able to clear roads, fill in ditches and bomb craters, clear rubble and move destroyed vehicles blocking roadways. The allied armies used several types of bulldozer, however, these machines were un-armoured and could be used only in zones far away from the frontline.
Initially D-8 Caterpillar dozer blades and hydraulic hoists were fitted to M4 Shermans for work on the Italian front in 1943.
The success of these called for the development of a specialist mounting.
Two companies proposed models and it was the combination of the two models suggested which was adopted by the Department of logistics under the designation of Bulldozer, tank-mounting M1. The M1 blade could be fitted to all the types of Sherman.
The first use of the Sherman-dozer with the M1 mounting was Italy in April 1944 during the landings at Anzio. 1957 dozer assemblies were produced during the war.
In 1944, many Sherman-dozers were in use and accompanied the Armored Divisions until the end of hostilities in Europe and in the Pacific.
The Sherman Dozer in Flames of War -
As well a being a normal Sherman, a dozer can also be used to fill craters and gap anti-tank ditches. If the Dozer starts the turn adjacent to the ditch and not Pinned Down and does not move, shoot or assault they roll a skill test at the end of the Assault step. If they pass the crater is filled or the anti-tank ditch is gapped at the end of the Assault step.
Dozers can also use the above method to improve Very Difficult Going into Difficult Going. A successful test will create a 2"/5cm wide gap in a linear obstacle or clear a 2"/5cm wide path 4"/10cm long. (See Old Ironsides Page 25)
A handy asset when the battlefield looks a bit rough. |
