| --SUBSCRIBE TO EXCELLENT World War II VIDEOS---- --UPLOADED Weekly--- Videos Running Time 00:54:00 in 6 Parts This episode of TANKS! examines British and German tanks in North Africa. Great Britain was at the forefront of amour development during World War I. However, Britains lead in tank design and tactics fell woefully short in the 1930s and during World War II. British tanks were so poor; it affected the moral of the troops. The Matilda was too slow and used an ineffective 2 pounder (40mm) main gun. The Crusader looked excellent on paper but turned out to be a complete disaster. Britain finally turned to America for reliable tanks. The Sherman, although inferior to most German tanks, was extremely reliable. The British Sherman Firefly was fitted with the excellent 17 pounder (77mm) anti-tank gun during the western France campaign. Britain learned great lessons from armor development during World War II. Britain was determined to; never again fall so far behind all the major warring nations with amour. British development of tank cannons and laminated amour stem from their World War II experience. The Chieftain and Challenger are a direct result of this mentality. The Germans were the masters of the battlefield during the early years of World War II. The Panzer II and III werent monsters, but where handled with great care. Most British tanks could hold their own against the Panzer III. However, the use of excellent tank tactics and skillful deplyment of anti-tank ... |