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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsThe Americans (Tanks) Are Gone
April 10, 2013: For the first time in 69 years, there are no American tanks in Europe. On March 18th the United States shipped home 22 M-1 tanks, bringing to an end seven decades of American armor in Europe.
First appearing in combat during World War I (1914-18), the tank became a decisive weapon during World War II (1939-45) and continued to dominate battlefields to the present. The first American tank to see wide service in Europe was the 29 ton M-4 with its 75mm gun. By the end of World War II the 42 ton M-26 and its 90mm gun showed up. By the 1950s there was the 44 ton M-47, also armed with a 90mm gun. By the end of the 1950s the 46 ton M-60 and its 105mm gun showed up. While the M-60 underwent several upgrades, it was not replaced by the 60 ton M-1 and its 120mm gun until 20 years later. During that 20 years NATO tank strength reached its peak, with about 6,000 in service with the U.S. and other NATO units in Europe. Most of those are now gone, either withdrawn (as with British, Canadian, and American ones) or disposed of (sold or scrapped). Less than 2,000 remain, none of them American.
http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htarm/articles/20130410.aspx
sinkingfeeling
(51,274 posts)Egalitarian Thug
(12,448 posts)depend on getting their welfare checks. Most of these companies couldn't exist if not for their military paymasters.