However, his project, quickly dubbed the “flying tank”, was never produced in the US except as a prototype, because it never fulfilled all the requirements of the Army and US Marine Corps. Walter Christie, an American car engineer, devised a new, revolutionary tank suspension system, with a dual purpose train, allowing the vehicle to also run without its tracks. The Tank Service retained the Mark VIII Liberty and M1917, with no intermediate medium model, until 1928, when a new directive was issued for a medium tank, and a new light model, usable by cavalry. Patton and Dwight Eisenhower played a great role in formulating tactical doctrines and organization. This led to a cooperation on a new design, which ultimately became the Liberty (Mk.VIII) tank.Īlong with the lighter M1917 tanks, they formed the core of the US Tank Force during the twenties. At the end of the war, one of these units, the 301st Heavy Tank Battalion, was equipped with British Tanks Mk.IV– V. Patton had already gained some experience, directing a squadron of three armored cars during the punitive expedition sent against Pancho Villa’s insurrection. Patton, the second headed by Ira Clinton Welborn, assisted by Dwight D. Embryos of the Tank Force, the Tank Corps in France and the Tank Service in USA were set, the first by Samuel Rockenbach, assisted by Georges S. Nevertheless, this new weapon proved its ground. But production organization took time and only a few were shipped to France and were operational before the capitulation. Improvised Armor on M4 Shermans in the PTOĪt the end of WW1, the US Expeditionary Force was given some 144 Renault FT French tanks, and a license for production in the US, as the M1917 tank.7.2in Multiple Rocket Launcher M17 ‘Whiz Bang’.Effectiveness of Tactical Air Strikes in World War II – “Tank busting”.

Pelican Project and Half-Track Amphibian Cargo Carrier T32.Armored Utility Vehicle T13 and Cargo Carrier T33.

75 mm Gun M3 on 75 mm Howitzer Motor Carriage M8 Chassis.

Medium Tank T6 – The Birth of the Sherman.

Reno’s Endless Belt Tractor – Underwater ‘Tank’.

Combat Car M1 and M1A1 (Light Tank M1A2).

Youtube world war 2 tank battles