THE ENCYCLOPEDIA OF MODERN ARMOR
THE HEAVY TANK

RUNTIME: 57 MINS

CAT: AWA054
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In 1940, Panzer divisions stormed across France and the Low Countries, vindicating the role of the tank in modern warfare and the concept of blitzkrieg or lightning war. Then came the invasion of the Soviet Union in 1941, where they faced, for the first time, a superior adversary: the Russian-T34. To counter this, the German Panther was created, only finally overcome by vastly superior numbers of the American Sherman. The Panther’s stable mate was the almighty Tiger.  

By the end of the war, the tank’s role was being challenged by air power but it has still proved its worth in conflicts from Korea to Kosovo. The British Chieftain was developed in the 60s for the specific purpose of countering a possible attack on the Red Army and was the most powerfully armed and most strongly armored tank in the world. Around the same time the German Leopard Mark I entered service which relied upon firepower and mobility.

To see in the 21st Century, the Americans have introduced the M1 Abrams, a remarkable product combining fully stabilized smooth-bore gun with laser range finder, integrated fire control and thermal imaging in the dark, amongst many other technological marvels.