The M10 was a fast tank destroyer based on the Sherman chassis. The Achilles was a British adaptation of the M10. Based on the M4A2 and M4A3 Sherman tank chassis, and fitted with a 3-inch M7 gun, the M10 was numerically the most important US tank destroyer of WWII. The M10 was built in response to the stunning successes of the German armored Blitzkrieg at the outset of the war in Europe. Fitted with a turret - unlike most self-propelled artillery of the era - the vehicle was more heavily gunned but more lightly armoured than a tank. M10 crews were expected to make the most of their vehicle's speed and agility. The M10 received its baptism of fire in Tunisia in 1943, where it demonstrated its ability to destroy most German Panzers then in service. The British upgraded the design by rearming some of the 1,700 M10s that they received with the superb Ordnance Quick Firing 17-pounder antitank gun. These vehicles were designated by the British as 17-pounder SP M10 Mark IC/IIC, popularly known as the Achilles. AUTHOR: Since 1999, David Doyle has written over 200 published books, and the range of topics has expanded to include warships and combat aircraft. These books have ranged in size from 56 pages to large works approaching 1,000 pages. SELLING POINTS: . Describes this oft-overlooked tank destroyer through stunning photos . A reference intended for military historians, veterans and their families, scale model enthusiasts, and wargamers alike . Combines period images with modern photos of preserved examples, along with detailed line drawings to provide a complete photo history of this vehicle 260 colour and b/w photographs