British Army instruction and training video for the use of the M4 Sherman III with the Straussler-type floatation kit Mk. II from January 1946.
The film includes details of the theory behind the Duplex-Drive kit, how it works, operation at sea, the structure, erection and collapse of the kit, loading and unloading DD vehicles and a Landing Craft Tank (LCT) with Mulock ramp-extensions, repair of the screen, steering and how to control the 34-ton Sherman tank when in the water.
Bilge pumps ensured that even combat damage was unlikely to cause the tank to sink although it could only manage 4.24 knots top speed in the water.
The correct use of a static half-submerged DD in the fire-support role is also covered where only the front of the wading screen is lowered so that the back of the tank is not swamped by waves.
The difficulties of river crossing with DD kit is covered too along with footage of the Topee kit on a Sherman (an armoured body surrounding the DD screening when folded) which protected the screen from damage by small arms fire and environmental action like trees.
The film ends with details of the use of the amphibious tank underwater escape apparatus and crews training in a water tank escaping from Valentine and Sherman tanks during surfacing drills.
IWM DRA 956