Topic: Best Tank of WW2

5CAV · August 7th, 2004

Here's one to start some controversy!

I vote for the Sherman tank.

Three things are important for a tank: Lethality, Mobility and Survivability. The Sherman gets a C for Lethality, a D for Survivability, but an A+ for Mobility (plus they were built in vast quantities).

What made the Sherman so valuable to the US Army in WWII was that there was usually one around when you needed it. They traveled fast and they were built with reliable Detroit engines. They typically didn't break down, and when they did, they were pretty straightforward to fix (mainly because they were mass produced like Chevys, so there were lots of parts around).

The German Tiger IIs killed Shermans 20 to 1 in open-field tank battles, but the German tanks were so mechanically unreliable that they were typically hauled to the battlefield on transporters. Unless there was a lot of advance planning, German soldiers could pretty much count on a friendly tank NOT being around when they needed it.

Repair on a Tiger II was kind-of like repair on that Mercedes -- you better have a factory mechanic and the parts are only available at the Mercedes dealer.

I don't know the reliability of the Panther, but they were built in such small quantities they were pretty much irrelevant to the outcome of the war.

Now the Panther with a US powertrain cranked-out in vast quantities on Detroit assembly lines -- that would have been a formidable tank!!

August 7th, 2004
5CAV Immunes	Here's one to start some controversy! I vote for the Sherman tank. Three things are important for a tank: Lethality, Mobility and Survivability. The Sherman gets a C for Lethality, a D for Survivability, but an A+ for Mobility (plus they were built in vast quantities). What made the Sherman so valuable to the US Army in WWII was that there was usually one around when you needed it. They traveled fast and they were built with reliable Detroit engines. They typically didn't break down, and when they did, they were pretty straightforward to fix (mainly because they were mass produced like Chevys, so there were lots of parts around). The German Tiger IIs killed Shermans 20 to 1 in open-field tank battles, but the German tanks were so mechanically unreliable that they were typically hauled to the battlefield on transporters. Unless there was a lot of advance planning, German soldiers could pretty much count on a friendly tank NOT being around when they needed it. Repair on a Tiger II was kind-of like repair on that Mercedes -- you better have a factory mechanic and the parts are only available at the Mercedes dealer. I don't know the reliability of the Panther, but they were built in such small quantities they were pretty much irrelevant to the outcome of the war. Now the Panther with a US powertrain cranked-out in vast quantities on Detroit assembly lines -- that would have been a formidable tank!! __________________ \"Nolo Copulare Equestribus\"