Armed with the 76.2mm 17 pounder gun, the British Sherman Firefly was in terms of firepower more than a match for German medium, and some heavy tanks and assault guns from 1944 to the end of World War 2. Production started in January 1944 and by 1945 around 2000 had been built. It was usual for one Firefly to be part of a troop of Shermans, as well as Cromwells.
The size of the main gun was such that there was no room for a hull machinegun and in addition it was not until November 1944 that a HE shell was available.