Could You Survive in a Sherman Tank in Normandy 1944?

Step back in time to the Normandy invasion of 1944 with Survive History. In this episode, we delve into the gripping experiences of ordinary Allied soldiers during Operation Overlord, as they attempted to liberate Europe from Nazi occupation. Join our presenter, Louee Dessent, as he explores the arduous life of infantrymen serving in units like the 2nd Armored Division, and crews living and fighting in armoured vehicles. Discover the challenges they faced navigating the treacherous bocage terrain of Normandy, and the formidable weapons and tactics employed by the German forces.

Louee also takes you inside the world of a US Sherman tank crew member, donning authentic gear and stepping into a real Sherman tank to give you a firsthand look at the life of these brave soldiers. Witness the journey from the harrowing beach landings to the triumphant breakout during Operation Cobra.

This video was filmed at the incredible Armour and Embarkation 2024 event in Dorset, showcasing over 100 genuine Second World War vehicles and recreating a small part of the Normandy invasion force. Whether you're a history buff, a military history enthusiast, or simply curious about the human stories behind the battle, this episode promises to be an engaging and informative experience.

Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more captivating history content from Survive History!

00:00 Introduction
02:25 Background to the Battle of Normandy
05:49 Fighting in the bocage
08:58 GI uniform and equipment
16:07 US infantry weapons
22:20 Allied artillery and airpower
24:37 German weapons
27:38 Sherman tank introduction
32:53 Life for a tank crew
37:10 German tanks
39:39 Getting hit in a tank
42:21 Operation Cobra
45:22 The end of the Normandy campaign
46:15 Could you survive?

[survivehistory]

Can't wait to hear what you guys think about this one! Leave us a comment below 👇
Finally, of course, thank you to the organisers of Armour and Embarkation 2024, and the owners of these epic World War Two vehicles 🫡

[mad]

You should do a “could you survive the Crusades” next, that would be fun since it’s quite well recorded and it shows the advances in medieval armor decently well.

[SamGray]

A great uncle of mine served in Normandy with the 4th Infantry Division in a rifle company. He was surprisingly open about it, admitting that his combat experience was only three weeks, but he said that was more than enough. A German rifle bullet went through his right hand, and despite surgery, it was never useful for him again, but he did have a P-38 that he picked up somewhere along the way. It was the first pistol I ever fired.

Before I shipped out for training in 2002 he said to me, "For God's sake, keep your head down. Digging is living."

[ConnorQuimby]

My great grandfather landed with the 93rd on Utah Beach. Earlier this year I had the honour of being received by the American Battlefields Monument Commission at the Netherlands American Cemetery to visit his grave. He fought and liberated all through until Hesse where he was killed in the last month of the war. Great video

[Nag]

Title: Could you survive the Normandy Invasion of World War Two?
Me: No.

[Theyoungstyles]

i once heard that a German tank commander loved the Sherman more then the panther because it was faster and more agile, he supposable said " one panther tank can tank down 10 shermans, but the americans always had 11" i love that haha ...my new favorite channel

[somedude]

I am NOT seeing my wife again after this one

[randychambers]

@Survivehistory Well done, thank you for making this.

My grandfather was an armored infantry Sgt in the 2nd Armored division from North Africa to Berlin.

Something mentioned during the gear rundown about dropping the M-36 bag or leaving it on the half-track during combat is something he talked about.

He and others in the unit carried the black assault gas mask bags with essentials. In his case dry socks, ration bars, captured camera and film, and assorted war souvenirs.


On the Falaise gap he said one thing words and pictures can never fully portray is the god awful stench of burnt metal, rotten apples, human and horse flesh that permeated the area for miles.

[manilatoaster]

I would have died in the first 30 seconds on the beach. I would probably be that guy carrying his own arm around at the beginning of “Saving Private Ryan”.

[rosenbaek]

As i've written on your previous videos: Another amazing episode! Keep it up.

[TheMonopolycat]

For a moment I thought this was a old video but nope quite fresh being only 15 hours old. But it's nice to see that people still look into ww2

[wjspade]

26:16

I guess “Moaning Minnie” was a British nickname for the Nebelwerfer 41. Grandpa, and every other American WWII vet I’ve interviewed, called them “Screaming Mimis.”

I love your approach to historical content. Keep up the awesome work!

[borismuller]

9:39 absolutely love the chap pretending to use the typewriter. fully committed to the fantasy

[urlocalrandomassguitarist]

I know you probably couldn't do this but could you do a video on if you could survive in the American Civil War

[waldopepper]

Wow! this was an incredible video. The level of dedication the guys and gals at Armor and Embarkation have is amazing. Hats off to all involved in creating this. Well done!

[thatmeatguy]

I'd like to make a few comments on the Sherman as it was portrayed in this video:

1. The Ronson nickname. This is absolutely a myth. The name allegedly comes from Ronson matches having the slogan "[Lights up] first time every time, ". This slogan never acually used during the war first appearing in 1950. There's also no real evidence outside of anecdotes that the Germans ever called the Sherman the "Tommy Cooker" either.

2. The rate of catching fire. The video gives the impression that Shermans had an unusual rate of ignition. This was true during the North Africa campaign. Early models of the tank stired ammo in visable humps near the front of the vehicle which gave German gunners an easy time hitting them. However, by the Normandy campaign Shermans had switched to storing the ammo at the bottom of the tank, making it harder to hit. Additionally, by Normady the Americans had shifted to a wet storage of ammunition which significantly reduced the rate of ignition. After these chnages this the rate of igition was not any higher than their German or British counterparts.

3. Survivability. The Sherman actually had one of the highest rates of survivability of any tank of the war. This due to both its ergonomic interior design (compare the inside of a Sherman to a T-34 or a Tiger and you'll notice it is a lot roomier and easier to move around it) and the number of hatches on the tank itself. While it was different to exit, as all tanks of the time were, it was much easier to get out as every crew member had a hatch in close proximity. 9 in 10 Sherman crews suvived their tank being knocked out. The fact that one crew was in 8 vehicles should be seen as a commendation of the Sherman's design, that the crew was able to survive that meny incidents.

4. The armour. The frontal armour of a Sherman was sloped. This ment that the 51mm of armour had a comparible rate of deflection to the Tigers 100mm of flat frontal armour. The side armour of the Sherman was compariable to a Panzer 4 or Panther and could deflect a Tiger at 30 degrees angling.

Also on the story of the Geman tank ace. Something you'll find if you do research on the claims of individuals during the war is that they're usually full of shit. This happened on both sides of the war (see Typhoon pilots reporting more kills than were present in the tank columns they were attacking) but Panzer Aces in particular are particularly bad due to the propaganda value they have. They or the propaganists reporting on them would do things like report half-track and trucks as armoured kills.

Overall I liked this video but I really wish people would stop spreading Belton Cooper tier myths about the Sherman.

[TjugoTusen]

I already know that I am NOT surviving this

[HistorywithJett]

My great great grandfather was a tanker in the 6th armoured. He arrived in Normandy a day after the landing

[anotherpeasant]

More like can you survive the reenactors, Jesus. I haven't seen firearms handling like that since the Rust movie set. Pointing the greasegun directly at you while playing with the safety, articulating the gun with his finger on the trigger, all sorts of big red flags. Blanks can kill!

[John-ormn]

American involvement in WW2 along with the introduction of the Sherman Tank saved so many Allied lives.