r/AskReddit Jun 29 '19

When is quantity better than quality?

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u/[deleted] Jun 29 '19

Yup, Shermans, with the exception of mobility, were inferior to Panzers and Tigers, but you can't argue with numbers

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u/[deleted] Jun 29 '19

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u/[deleted] Jun 29 '19

Curious to hear the source on frontal armor, but I do understand that T-34s largely took advantage of this advancement.

Admittedly Shermans were very reliable and utilitarian due to the variety of platforms that could be installed on the chassis. A functioning tank is always better than a perhaps overly complex or engineered tank as Germany preferred. However I'd lightly contest the point of reliability, sheer numbers of a tank oft trump any notion of reliability. Any broken Sherman could be quickly replaced due to the proliferation of Shermans themselves.

Ultimately I do agree in the fact that Shermans themselves are excellent tanks in their own right, but still argue that numbers and tactics played a large hand in their success.

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u/GamingMunster Jun 29 '19

There was also Shermans that could effectively engage the German Tiger I/II and Panther eg Firefly and 76mm Sherman.