re: Rommel Vs Patton

quote:

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In Africa, I believe, Rommel's tanks were mostly Mark I's and II's, outdated peashooters.

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Correct.

Germans were still using II's (20mm) and III's (50mm) while the Americans were using Stuarts (37mm but no armor) and Grants which were big high profile and had the side mounted short 75. (see pic below) and where the germans learned to use the 88's on allied armor. 88 cut through most allied armor like butter and at great range, but limited as artillery, was vulnerable once you got close. Not sure any German tank in Africa had the better 75 or lethal 88 that would later show up on Panther's and Tigers.



Probably the best tank in the desert was the British Matilda but it only had a 2 pounder for a gun, When it got boosted to a 6 pounder for a gun it could both kill enemy armor and take enemy hits. Germans used to say the only way to kill a Matilda was creep up behind and hit it point blank in the arse end.

As for the Sherman vs MKIV's, sure it was a better match but Sherman vs Panthers or Tigers and that was a losing bargain. Germans had best armor, just could not make enough of it. Russian T-34's were the best as they were less costly to produce than German armor, but had enough power in the gun to actually kill things. If memory serves they used a 76.2 that already had a solid history as an ATG.