Artillery That Wasn't: The Sherman Duplex Drive Disaster

Of the 29 DD (Duplex Drive) Sherman tanks launched from landing craft toward Omaha Beach, 27 sank in the rough seas because the canvas flotation screens collapsed. Only two made it to shore. The tank commanders and crews drowned inside. The decision to launch so far from shore (5,000 yards instead of the recommended 1,000) was made because the coxswains couldn't see the beach in the mist. The surviving tankers had to fight without armor support for hours. One tank that did make it ashore, commanded by Staff Sergeant Philip G. Gassert, destroyed three German gun positions and a bunker before being immobilized.