Firefly tank

[John McGillivray]

The “Sherman V” is the British designation for the American 75mm M4A4. The letter “C” is added to the British designation when the Sherman is fitted with the British 17 pounder gun. In other words the Sherman Vc is the 17 pounder equipped version of the Sherman V. The 17 pounder Shermans are also known as the “Firefly”.

The Sherbrooke Fusiliers received the Fireflies (Sherman Vc) just before they were loaded on the ships for the Normandy invasion. They landed on the Normandy Beaches on the afternoon of June 6th. Their first action was on June 7th along with the North Nova Scotia Highlanders. Below is a photo of a Sherman Vc firefly from the Sherbrooke Fusiliers which was knocked out on June 7th near Authie. The troops standing on the tank are from the 12th SS Panzer Division “Hitlerjugend”

See the link below for the account of the battles on June 7th, 1944, from the Regimental history of the North Novas.

North Nova Scotia Highlanders History