T34 Calliope

The Rocket Launcher T34 (Calliope) was a tank-mounted multiple rocket launcher used by the United States Army during World War II. The launcher was placed atop the M4 Sherman, with its prominent vertical side frames anchored to the turret's sides, and fired a barrage of 4.5 in (114 mm) M8 rockets from 60 launch tubes. It was developed in 1943; small numbers were produced and were used by various US armor units in 1944–45. It adopts its name from the musical instrument "Calliope", also known as the steam organ, which had similar parallel or clustered pipes.
Variants.
Each rocket was armed with a 4.5 inch (114 mm) fin-stabilized projectile armed with High-Explosive that had the same explosive yield as a 105mm Howitzer, and had a maximum range of 4100 yards (4 km).
The range was increased to 5250 yards (5 km). The rockets were fired electronically using cables that were inserted through the commander's hatch. The 75mm main gun could not be fired once the rocket launcher has been attached. This caused the tank crews to modify the launcher's installation in the field, thereby allowing the main gun to fire albeit at a reduced elevation for the launcher. Later models of the launcher also had flame deflectors to help prevent rocket exhaust from entering the engine compartment.
Service history.
Although Calliopes were originally manufactured before D-Day and were envisioned for bunker-busting duties on the beaches, the proposal was dropped due to the tank's high center of gravity which makes its transportation unsteady. Thirty M4s of the 743rd Tank Battalion had the T34 launchers installed to assist a planned push by the 30th Infantry Division in December 1944. The German Ardennes offensive stopped this plan, and the launchers were subsequently removed and not reinstalled on tanks until February 1945 with General Patton's army. In March 1945, when Patton's army was pushing through the Saarland in Western Germany, the launchers did manage to see some usage in armored divisions.
In 1945, it was used in various actions by the 745th Tank Battalion and the 2nd, 4th, 6th, 12th, and 14th Armored Divisions and saw extensive use in Europe by the 1st Infantry Division. Although seeing limited action, it was effective as a weapon for psychological warfare. The noise generated by launches was enough to scare enemy soldiers.