M4A1C "Sherman Calliope"

  Unit Properties in Men of War General Information
 * Nation:     America/Great Britain
 * Category:   Tanks
 * Class:      Medium tank
 * Role:       Infantry/Tank Support
 * Primary Armament: M3 75 mm
 * Secondary Armament: 2 x 7.62 mm (.30 cal) M1919 (Hull & Turret), Rockets
 * Armor:     51 - 38 mm
 * Crew:       4(8)


 * MP price:   50
 * Speed:      34
 * Fuel:       ?

During the war the Sherman was the subject of many experiments and conversions, one of the most interesting adaptions was the Sherman Calliope. Whilst not the first attempt to mount a multiple rocket launch system on a vehicle, it was the first to be mounted onto a tank; this did not mean that the Sherman Calliope could participate in front line combat as firing the main gun would dislodge the launch tubes, also, the high silloutte of the M4A1 "Sherman" was made even higher with the addition of rocket tubes. This rendered the Calliope unsuitible for any kind of frontline role. The Calliope was not designed for accurate fire but to saturate a large area with rockets; only realy being effective against large groups of enemy concentrations, demoralising the enemy by devestated whole areas, leaving equipment destroyed, land unpassable and sodliers shell shocked. The use of Rocket artillery was best exploited by the Russians with the BM13 (Katushka or Stalin Orgle) which caused widespread destruction to German positions.

In Game
Despite the fact that this tank was never used in Europe during World War 2, in game this tank is mainly deployed in mid-late game and is fantastic against grouped enemies. However, its rockets are not particularly effective against heavier armor and its launch tubes are easily destroyed by heavy machine gun fire. Also, it is pointless wasting this tank on the frontline as when it becomes available the Sherman with a 76mm main gun will be deployable. It is best to use this tank in a safely concealed position so that it is hard to detect. It is wise to guard this vehicle as long as it has got ammunition. When the rocket ammo is empty once it is empty you arwe able to call in a ammunition truck to resupply it, you could also use the Calliope as an infantry support tank and distract the enemy (don't let him/her know that there are no more rocket salvos available) and make your enemy fear its presence.

Even though its armor is far superior to the Katyusha it cannot compete in terms of rocket firepower. One big disadvantage is the very long period of reload time for the rockets. Another one is the lack of ammunition: after a few salvos the ammo is empty and means this tank useless until its ammo is refilled.