WW2 Pod: We Have Ways of Making You Talk 8. D-Day and DD Tanks
May 21, 2019
In this podcast, Al Murray and James Holland delve into the fascinating history of D-Day, discussing innovative tank technology, the remarkable story of Percy Hobart, military efficiency, the Churchill tank's flamethrower, tank preparations, Operation Fortitude, and the detailed planning for D-Day contingencies.
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Ingenious Floating Sherman Tanks
- The Sherman DD tank was a Sherman with a waterproof canvas screen and propellers for swimming.
- This invention epitomized Allied ingenuity to bring armored support onto beaches during D-Day.
Launch Distance Crucial for DD Tanks
- American forces launched their DD tanks too far from Omaha Beach, causing many to sink.
- British forces mitigated this by launching closer, reducing loss of armored support on the beaches.
Buoyancy Limits Tank Design
- The ability of a tank to float depended on its weight and the buoyancy screen size.
- Floating a heavy tank like a Tiger would have been impossible; the Sherman was light enough to be feasible.