The Tank, Cruiser, Ram was a cruiser tank designed and built by Canada in the Second World War, based on the U.S. M3 Medium tank chassis. Due to standardization on the American Sherman tank for frontline units, it was used exclusively for training purposes and was never used in combat as a gun tank. The chassis was used for several other combat roles however, such as a flamethrower tank, observation post and armoured personnel carrier.
Early production Ram Mk II at CFB Borden
Ram Mk.II (early production) tanks during the war
Ram Mk.II – late production
A Ram encased in the Dutch IJssel Line, still present in 2007
The M3 Lee, officially Medium Tank, M3, was an American medium tank used during World War II. The turret was produced in two forms, one for US needs and one modified to British requirements to place the radio next to the commander. In British Commonwealth service, the tank was called by two names: tanks employing US-pattern turrets were called "Lee", named after Confederate general Robert E. Lee, while those with British-pattern turrets were known as "Grant", named after Union general Ulysses S. Grant.
Medium Tank, M3, Fort Knox, June 1942
The armor plate on the M3 was too heavy for welding and had to be riveted in position.
Crew exiting a "disabled tank" during maneuvers held at Camp Polk in February 1943
British Grant (left) and Lee (right) at El Alamein (in the Egyptian Western Desert) 1942, showing differences between the British turret and the original design of the M3