Because of the rugged dense jungle growth on many Pacific islands the use of
tanks was limited. The tank did play significant roles on these islands as
infantry support. The M4 had an escape hatch added to the floor but in the
Pacific tank crews used it for the opposite purpose. They used the hatch to
recover wounded infantry and return them for medical care.
In the Pacific some units had many inventive means of trying to protect the
tank and crew from the enemy. Some added track blocks to the sides of the
turret, or on the glacis along with sand bags. Some added nails others added
wooden planks or even heavy steel mesh domes placed over the hatches with
about two inches of clearance. The domes were referred to as “bird cages”
and along with the other innovations were meant to prevent the enemy from
placing satchel charges directly on the tank especially the hatches that
probably were the most vulnerable part of the armor. Some of the tank
crews couldn’t decide one method so they employed just about all the various
options. It was quite usual for tank crews to paint a name that started with
the same letter as their Company on the side of the tank. Since this tank
belonged to Company D that’s why “Doris” appears on this particular
example.


Known as the “Fighting Fourth” the 4th Marine Division was comprised of
many units. One of the units was “D” Company of the 4th Marine Tank
Battalion. The 4th Marine Division was formed on May 12, 1943 and was
made up entirely of reservists except for 2 officers. It also was the first
Marine Division to go directly in to battle and to capture territory held by
occupying Japanese forces. The Division fought in some of the bloodiest
battles of the Pacific, Kwajalein, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima.
The assault on Iwo Jima began on Feb 19 1945. The 4th Marine Tank Division
landings began at 0940 when LSMs delivered the first tanks on Yellow Beach.
Because of the problems caused by the volcanic sand it wasn’t until 1300
before all the tanks were ashore. Landing on Iwo Jima was uncontested but
when the beaches became congested with men and equipment that instantly
sank in loose volcanic ash and became bogged down the Japanese defenders
unleashed their big guns, mortars and snipers. The scene was one of carnage
as men crawled along the shifting surface desperately trying to advance to
the shelter of dunes or into shell holes made by the naval barrage that
preceded the landing.
Under the support of the tanks from the 4th MTB the Marines slowly worked
their way towards their objectives. They encountered several long delays
while engineers cleared mine-fields while under heavy fire. During their
advance the tanks helped clear fortified caves and pill boxes and provided
physical cover for the foot soldiers.
The Japanese had definitely prepared for the invasion and intended to make
the island their last stand with no surrender. On March 26, 1945 after five
long bloody weeks Iwo Jima was finally cleared of enemy forces. The U.S.
casualties totaled over 26,000 with over 7,000 dead while only 1,000 of the
original 20,000 Japanese defenders survived. These sacrifices made it
possible for B-29 bombers to make 2,400 unscheduled landings with 27,000
crewmen on their return flights from bombing mainland Japan.  
The 4th Marine Division was the first into action and they were the first to be
sent back to the U.S. Where it was deactivated on November 28, 1945 and
reactivated in 1966. For their actions in the Pacific Campaign the 4th Marine
Division was awarded these medals and commendations:

4 Medals of Honor
111 Navy Cross
646 Silver Stars
2,517 Bronze Stars
17,722 Purple Hearts
Presidential Unit Citation with 2 Bronze Stars
Navy Unit Commendation
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze Stars
WWII Victory Medal

Of all the Medals of Honor that were awarded to Marines in WWII over 25%
of them were because of their actions on Iwo Jima.



Specifications
Manufactured by: Ford Motor Company
Date first accepted: 1942
Total accepted then: 1,690
Crew: 5 – Commander, Gunner, Loader, Driver, Assistant Driver


Engine: Ford GAA 8 cylinder 4 cycle, 60° vee gasoline 450 hp @ 2600rpm
Fuel capacity: 168 gallons
Combat weight: 66,700 lbs
Length: 232.5 “
Width: 103”
Height: 108”

Armament
1 X 75mm M3 main gun in turret – 97 rounds
1 X .30 cal MG coaxial to 75mm main gun – 4750 rounds
1 X .50 cal MG flexible in turret AA mount – 300 rounds
1 X .30 cal MG ball mount in right bow - 4750 rounds
2” Mortar M3 (smoke) fixed in turret – 12 rounds                     

Hobby Master 1/48 Ground Power Series
HG1007 - M4A3 Sherman, 4th Marine Tank Battalion "D" Company,
"Doris" Iwo Jima, February 1945
LIMITED EDITION 500 pieces with COA
Authentic Detailing
Pre-Painted by professionals
Accurate paint colors
Markings Tampo (pad) applied
Fully Assembled
Die-Cast Model
True to Scale (1:48)
Insignias
Turret turns
Main gun elevates
Metal chassis, hull, turret and main gun
Realistic tracks
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