The M3 Stuart/light tank M3, was an American light tank of World War II. An improved version of the tank entered service as the M5 in 1942 to be supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the U.S. into the war. Afterwards, it was used by U.S. and Allied forces until the end of the war.
M3A1 Stuart (T37765) at Tankfest 2023
An M3 going through water obstacle, Ft. Knox, Ky.
M5A1 Crews from Company D, 761st Tank Battalion, stand by awaiting call to clean out scattered German machine gun nests in Coburg, Germany
An M5A1 passing through the wrecked streets of Coutances, Normandy
A light tank is a tank variant initially designed for rapid movements in and out of combat, to outmaneuver heavier tanks. It is smaller in size with thinner armor and a less powerful main gun, tailored for better tactical mobility and ease of transport and logistics. They are primarily employed in the screening, armored reconnaissance, skirmishing, artillery observation, and supplementing landing operations in a fire support role of expeditionary forces where larger, heavier tanks are unavailable or have difficulties operating safely or efficiently.
The M24 Chaffee, an American light tank used during the later part of World War II, and several subsequent conflicts
US Army operating Renault FT tanks
British light tank Mk V
Type 95 Ha-Go tanks in New Britain following the Japanese surrender