'B' and 'C' Squadrons were equipped with the amphibious Duplex Drive Shermans. A decking around the tank at top of track level supported a canvas screen which could be raised with the aid of collapsible pillars inflated with compressed air. The screens were kept in place by struts similar to those on a pram hood. The tank was steered by a tiller at the rear and propulsion was by propellers that could be raised for the tank's use on dry land. Within a week of D-Day the majority of the DD tanks had been destroyed. The Squadrons were equipped with conventional tanks with twin 150 hp diesel engines. These tanks did not burst into flames as quickly as did the previous petrol Shermans.

The Sherman was equipped with a 75 mm gun which was no match against the Panther and useless against the Tiger tank. However a modified version was brought out mounting a 17 pounder gun which was an effective weapon. The Sherman had a good turn of speed but the armour gave little protection against the superior enemy guns such as the 88.

Training for the amphibious Squadrons, mainly on DD Valentine tanks, consisted of launching from LCTs (Landing Craft Tank) swimming the tanks and landing. Practically no training except gunnery practice, was undertaken for land warfare and no information was given of the dense Normandy bocage in which the tanks had to operate to their cost.