The Sherman Firefly was a British variant of the American M4 Sherman tank, adapted during World War II to counter the threat of heavily armored German tanks like the Tiger and Panther. Armed with the powerful 17-pounder anti-tank gun, the Firefly was capable of penetrating even the thickest German armor at long range—something the standard Sherman struggled to achieve. British engineers had to creatively modify the turret to accommodate the long gun and its recoil, leading to a distinctive appearance with a rear-mounted radio box. Despite retaining the Sherman's relatively thin armor, the Firefly gave Allied forces a much-needed boost in tank-killing capability. It first saw action in 1944 and played a vital role during the Normandy campaign and beyond. Though produced in limited numbers, the Sherman Firefly became one of the most feared Allied tanks by German crews, who often prioritized targeting it first on the battlefield.