Today we present a document from the Medical Research Laboratory at Fort Knox from 1952 on ‘Tank Crew Problems.” This report examines issues reported by tank crews concerning ergonomic issues of US tanks, primarily the M4 Sherman series. The report is divided in five different sections, one for each crew position. This is not a very long report, totaling about 23 pages. We have reprinted some of the specific crew complaints below, they should prove rather interesting to anyone looking for information on what it was like to be a Sherman or M26/M46 tank crewman (these were copy-pasted from the PDF, so there might be some typos.) Special thanks to forum member LeuCeaMia over at SH for pointing this document out. A PDF of the full report can be downloaded here.
Problems of the Commander
1. When operating the tank radio it is necessary to hold the spring-loaded switch on the BC606 control with one hand while holding * the microphone to the lips with the button depressed with the other hand. While going cross-country in rough terrain, my tank was taken under fire by enemy troops. In attempting to radio to other tanks in my platoon, I was unable to hold on securely and operate the radio, too. The tank came off a rice paddy and I was severely shaken up and fell to the turret floor.
Tank and AFV News 