Some M4s were fitted with a 105mm Howitzer gun by the
U.S. A few of these were purchased from surplus stocks in Italy and repaired
in time to take part in the War of Independence in 1948. They served in
the Negev and the northern Sinai.
The 105mm main gun had limited usefulness as an antiarmor weapon, but
it was good in both the indirect fire role, and in direct fire against
field fortifications or buildings.