The M2 medium tank, officially Medium Tank, M2, was a United States Army medium tank that was first produced in 1939 by the Rock Island Arsenal, just prior to the commencement of the Second World War in Europe. Production was 18 M2 tanks, and 94 slightly improved M2A1 tanks, for a total of 112. Events in Western Europe rapidly demonstrated that the M2 was obsolete, and it was never used overseas in combat; it was, however, used for training purposes throughout the war.
The M2A1 Medium at Aberdeen Proving Ground in 2008
An M2A1 Medium Tank on display at Aberdeen Proving Grounds.
An M3 medium tank, the successor to the M2
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