Were heavy tanks worth the cost in WWII?

[Valmy]

The 8th Army did use a lot of M3s after Lend-Lease, if I recall correctly. I seem to recall they also called them the Lee, not Grant.

The Lees and the Grants were different varieties of M3s I believe.  I remember I had different counters for them in ASL

[Norgy]

'Course you did. 

[Admiral Yi]

I believe the Grant had a cast turret and the Lee a welded turret.

Cheap-ass Brits.

[Norgy]

But with mint sauce and spotted dick, most likely.

[PDH]

The Lee was the US version, the Grant was the British.  The turrets were different (British was cast), the Grant also did not have the commanders MG turret.

[Admiral Yi]

 

[Norgy]

The Lee was the US version, the Grant was the British.  The turrets were different (British was cast), the Grant also did not have the commanders MG turret.

OMG BRITISH PC POLICE GONE INSANE 1942STYLE!!!111

[DGuller]

The fact that some Soviet tankers liked it better than the T34 is telling.  Tanks aren't just in combat, they have to get to combat, be reliable, not overly fatigue the crew, etc.

I get the impression that Soviet tankers liked just about any foreign tanks over their own.  May have something to do with the fact that Soviet tank designs almost seem to have been made to make the crew as uncomfortable as possible.

Actually it was the opposite.  They pretty much hated every tank except the Sherman (Lee, Stuarts, and all the British tanks).

[derspiess]

Actually it was the opposite.  They pretty much hated every tank except the Sherman (Lee, Stuarts, and all the British tanks).

I recall them liking one of the Brit tanks, and they absolutely loved just about any captured German tank.

[Ed Anger]

You assholes are going to get me started playing Combat Mission again. I don't need another 3 year addiction. 

I shall taught you unmercifully.

Taught? Jesus Christ.

[Ed Anger]

HEY EVERYBODY! 11Tim is gonna "taught'' me.

[Norgy]

I'm glad we're no longer the geeks we once were.

[Razgovory]

The fact that some Soviet tankers liked it better than the T34 is telling.  Tanks aren't just in combat, they have to get to combat, be reliable, not overly fatigue the crew, etc.

I get the impression that Soviet tankers liked just about any foreign tanks over their own.  May have something to do with the fact that Soviet tank designs almost seem to have been made to make the crew as uncomfortable as possible.

Actually it was the opposite.  They pretty much hated every tank except the Sherman (Lee, Stuarts, and all the British tanks).

I've read this as well, but all things about the Soviet Union must have the caveat that the people couldn't always speak what they believed.  I do remember reading they were unimpressed with the Panthers.

[Valmy]

Actually it was the opposite.  They pretty much hated every tank except the Sherman (Lee, Stuarts, and all the British tanks).

I recall them liking one of the Brit tanks, and they absolutely loved just about any captured German tank.

The Churchill?

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

That's impressive considering that that M3s only served front line duty for a short time.

The M3 was a key component of the British 14th Army's armored units in the CBI theater for virtually the entire war.  It was also used heavily by the Soviets from the start of Lend-Lease through mid-43.