Today in WW II: 18 Jun 1940 General Charles de Gaulle broadcasts from London, calling on all French people to continue the fight against Nazi Germany.  More ↓
18 Jun 1940 Winston Churchill speaks to Parliament, concluding, "...if the British Empire and its Commonwealth last for a thousand years, men will still say, 'This was their finest hour'".
18 Jun 1941 Nazi Germany and Turkey sign treaty of friendship.
Visit the Olive-Drab.com World War II Timeline for day-by-day events 1939-1945! See also WW2 Books.

M-103 Heavy Tank

The M-103 (T43 in prototype) was authorized in 1952, the first US heavy tank. The design was not very successful, especially its underpowered engine. It served as a back-up tank destroyer until replaced in 1963 by the M-60 Patton Tank. Only 200 of these M-103s were produced.

The M-103 was armed with a 120mm main gun plus two .50 cal. machine guns. It weighed 62.5 tons and was powered by the Continental AV 1790-5B gasoline engine used in the M47/M48 series tanks.

T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.

T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit
T43/M-103 at 4th Infantry Division Museum, Ft. Hood, TX, 2 December 2005. Photo: Courtesy of Bob Pettit.