A Soviet tank that was produced from 1940 to 1958. Although
its armor and armament were surpassed by later World War II tanks, it has been
often credited as the most effective, efficient and influential tank design of
WWII.
Chi Ha Tank was built by Mitsubishi and designated the
CHI-HA. It used the Mitsubishi air-cooled 170 horsepower diesel engine and was
regarded as the best tank that Japan had produced during World War II. The main
armament consisted of a single 57mm gun mounted in the turret and supported by
two 7.7mm self-defense machine guns.
This German tank was the most powerful tank in the world
when it was introduced in August 1942. The 88mm gun was extremely powerful and
the heavy armor made it almost impervious to attack. The success of the Tiger
was so profound, that no allied tank dared to engage it in open combat. This
psychological fear soon became to be known as "Tigerphobia".
The Sherman Tank was the primary tank used by the United
States during World War II. The tank was named after Union General William
Tecumseh Sherman. Production exceeded 50,000 units. Only the Soviet T-34 tank
was produced in larger numbers during World War II. Though it was wholly
inadequate against the heavier armed 56 ton German Tiger I and the 72 ton Tiger
II, mobility, mechanical reliability and sheer numbers helped offset their
disadvantages strategically.
