![]() It took control of all tanks in the US Infantry and Cavalry units being responsible for inspecting, equipping, organizing and training the US Army’s first armored divisions and separate non-divisional tank battalions, including all non-tank personnel assigned. also known as the “Father of the Armored Force”. The US Armored Force was created on 10 July 1940 under the command of the mechanized cavalry legend Brigadier General Adna R. ![]() In 1940, the M2A4 armed with the 37mm M5 gun came into service and it led to the development of the improved M3 Stuart light tank. The Infantry was equipped with M2A2 and M2A3 light tanks while the Cavalry units were equipped with the M1 and M1A1 combat cars. Under the 1920 National Defense Act, only the Infantry was permitted to have tanks, so the new mechanized Cavalry’s tanks were labeled “Combat Cars”. The US tanks at that time only carried machine gun armament due to a lack of funds and resources. At that time, the US Army preferred light tanks weighing no more than 15 short tons (14 tons) due to their speed and mobility. Separate tank destroyer units were responsible for hunting and destroying enemy tanks. As a medium tank, its performance and armor protection was inferior to the battle tested M4 Sherman tank that was already in production resulting in the contract being cancelled and later reclassified as obsolete.ĭuring the interwar period, based on WWI experience, the US Army doctrine dictated that tanks were for exploitation, not fighting other tanks but used as a cavalry force to exploit gaps opened in the enemy lines by the infantry and artillery. But requested changes pushed the design too far increasing its weight to the point where it was reclassified as a medium tank. The US M7 Medium Tank was originally designed as an up-gunned replacement for the M3/M5 Stuart Light Tank. ![]()
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