It was obvious that the gun on the M4 Sherman was not sufficient against the heavy German tanks. To fill this gap, a M4A2 chassis was used to built a special purpose vehicle for such a task, a 'Tank Destroyer'. The hull was flattened and the side armor was placed under an angle to bounce off the hits from enemy tanks. Because of the angular shape, the armor could be made somewhat thinner to consume on the weight. The first M10 'Tank Destroyer' rolled out of the factory halfway 1942.

In the open turret was a 76.2mm M1A1 cannon. This was enough to destroy a Panzer IV, but the heavy German tanks stayed a tough cookie for the M10. The standard shell in June 1944, the M61 APC, was not strong enough to penetrate a Tiger I in a frontal attack and the Panther could only be stopped within the 500 meters range of fire. In American service, the M10 was known as the 'Wolverine' or 'Slugger'.

The driver was located, just as in an M4 Sherman, on the port side, but the co-driver position was deleted. In the open turret was room for the commander, the loader and gunner. A fifth man was used to assist the loader and the gunner. Additional firepower was from a .50 Browning machinegun on the turret. The six cylinder GM 6064 diesel engine produced 410 hp and gave the M10 a maximum speed of 50 km/h.

During actions the driver drove the M10 on periscope. The turret and the gun turned directly over the hatch of the driver. During transfer the turret was turned at 30 degrees to starboard, so the driver could drive the M10 by sticking his head out of the hatch.

Besides a M10 built on the M4A2 chassis, there was also a version that used the M4A3 chassis. These version had a Ford GAA petrol engine and were designated as the M10A1.Between September 1942 and December 1943, Grand Blanc Arsenal built 4993 M10's. Ford produced between November 1942 and September 1943 1038 M10A1's. Besides the M10, Grand Blanc Arsenal produced from September 1943 until December 1943 also 675 M10A1's. A total of 6706 of M10 versions were produced altogether.

The M10 also saw service in the British army and was known as the MkIc. In 1944 the British replaced the 76.2mm for the better 17-pounder cannon (the same gun as in the Sherman Firefly) and was christened with the name Mk IIc 'Achilles'. From a distant it is obvious to see the difference, the standard M10 had a smooth barrel, and the 17 pdr. had a muzzle brake with a counter balance below it. The muzzle brake was developed to blow of gasses so there was less revulsion of the barrel.

There are still a lot M10's to be found. One is even a war relic. This one can be found in the Alsac, France. This M10, called 'Porc Epic' can be found just outside Illhausern. More on this M10 can be, FOUND HERE (sorry, in Dutch only). On this same page there is an M10 near Fort Hackenberg, as part of the Maginot Linie. Also the M10 at Bayeux, the M10 van Colleville-sur-Mer have a lot of pictures on this page. One particular M10 is of intrest. The one found at the MM Park La Wantzenau, Elzas, had one time durig the war as commander the famous France actor Jean Gabin.

For much more on the Mk IIc 'Achilles' Tank Destroyers that are preserved can be, FOUND HERE. On this page the M10's at the 'Bastogne Barracks' and the one at La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium. On the same page also the one at the Panzer Museum Munster in Germany. There is also a nice exampel to be found in the woods near Maldegem, Belgium. This one is a gateguard for the Canada & Poland War II Museum.

Not only are there M10 Tank Destroyers as static monuments, there are still M10's in restoration to running order and to show them afterwards at events (see the pictures above).

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