The M3 Stuart Light Tank (WWII)

How would it feel to be in a WWII US tank? Tanks were one of the most used vehicles by the US in WWII. The M2 Light Tank, M3 Stuart Light Tank, and the M2 Medium Tank were just a few of the many tanks used by the US in WWII. The M2 Light Tank was a smaller tank mainly used for scouting enemy territory. This tank had a 50 cal one-man turret, and a Browning 1919 coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. The M2 Light tank had the same suspension as the M1 Light Tank to save time and be cost-effective. It was eventually improved into the M2A3 which had increased armor protection and better suspension to go off-road better. In 1941, the M2 Light Tank was replaced because it was to obsolete to keep being made. The M3 Stuart Light Tank was an improved M2 Light Tank.It had a could hold a total of four Browning 1919 coaxial 7.62 mm machine guns and a quick-firing M5 37 mm anti-tank gun. It was given it’s name after the American Civil War Confederate General J.E.B. Stuart. It mainly fought in the Pacific, Mediterranean, and in Europe. It wa also eventually given up for how outdated it was, and was replaced by the M5 Stuart Light Tank and continued the legacy. By the time the M5 Stuart was given up, the M3 Stuart had a
total of 22,744 examples produced, where the M5 only had 8,884 examples. The M2 Medium Tank was designed at the Rock Island Arsenal, and started work in 1938.
It was ready for trials in 1939. This tank had no less than seven Browning 1919 .30-06 Machine guns, and held over 12,200 rounds for the machine guns alone! The fastest this tank could go was 26 mph, and could go about 130 mi at medium speed before it needs more fuel. Directly underneath where the driver sat, was the tank’s transmission. He also had three large folding panels that allowed the driver an amazing surrounding vision. However, the M2 Medium Tank was never brought into action, because it’s shape and size made it hard to drive on sand and in dense forests. Instead it was keeped in the US to train the american soldiers there. It was replaced by the M3 Grant/Lee and M4
Sherman. The US used many tanks during WWII, and the M2 Light Tank, M2 Medium Tank, and the M3 Stuart Light Tank were just three of these tanks. The M2 light Tank was usually used for scouting because of its weak armor and little amount of firepower. The M3 Stuart Tank replaced the M2 Light Tank and could hold up to four machine guns and an anti-tank gun. It was mainly used in the Mediterranean, Pacific, and in Europe. The M2 Medium Tank could carry no less than seven machine guns, but never left the US for its size and shape. Now, imagine yourself seeing an army of enemy tanks coming over a hill next to your home base…