I would doubt that Shermans would go into action without their .30s as they were very necessary for suppressing attacks from infantry.
I have not seen the shelf before that is fitted in front of the driver's hatch in the photo above. It is certainly not factory. I am thinking that it is too late to be for anti gas paint so possibly the driver's way to avoid water being pushed up the glassis plate and into his hatch when ploughing through deep water.
I suspect that that photo was taken on a training exercise in Canada well post war so no need for MGs.
David
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