The Stuart Tank
One of the things that I am drawn to when it comes to the Second World War is the aesthetic of some of the equipment. I totally understand that these machines were built to kill and I take that seriously. But the physical design of some of the vehicles are still attractive.
When it comes to Allied tanks, many people think of the heavier Sherman tank. I love Shermans but I also have a soft spot for the Stuart, which like the Sherman, was named after an American Civil War general.
They were first used by the Allies in the North African campaign. It was comparable to the German Panzer III and was able to hold its own. However, things changed over the course of the war and tank battalions eventually shifted to the Shermans.
Some Stuarts were converted by the Canadians into Kangaroos, which were armoured personnel carriers. The armoury of one of the reserve units I served with had one of these out front.
If you are as interested in Stuarts as I am, you might find this video interesting.
Postscript
If you really want to know how I got interested in Stuarts, the truth is that came about through reading Haunted Tank stories in the comic book G.I. Combat.
