WWII U.S. Army M-3 Lee Medium Tank, 1943

This photo was taken by a U.S. Army Signal Corps photographer 12 February 1943 during maneuvers at Camp Polk, LA. It shows crewmembers of Co. B, 741st Tank Bn., as they abandon their disabled M-3 tank. The Signal Corps logo is on the lower left and the photo ID number on the lower right.

The M3 Lee Medium Tank was used early in World War II, but was no match for German Panzers. Replacement of the M-3 with the better armored and armed M-4 Sherman started by June of 1942. When this photo was taken in February 1943, the M-3 was nearly finished in the U.S. Army. British and Russian units received this tank and used it longer than the Americans.

Today in WW II: 17 Sep 1939 Soviet troops invade Poland from the east. More ↓

17 Sep 1944 Thousands of Allied planes begin airborne assault on Holland, Operation Market Garden.
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