What was the lightest tank in WW2?

M2 light tank
The M2 light tank, officially Light Tank, M2, was an American pre–World War II light tank which saw limited use during World War II. The most common model, the M2A4, was equipped with one 37 mm (1.5 in) M5 gun and five ….M2 light tank.

How much did tanks weigh in WW2?

Medium tanks of 1939 weighed around 20 tonnes (20 long tons). By 1945, typical medium tanks had maximum armor over 60 mm thick, with guns in the 75–85 mm (3.0–3.3-inch) range and weights of 30 to 45 t (30 to 44 long tons).

Who was the first to use tanks in WW2?

Britain had been first to use tanks on a mass scale during the First World War. But by the Second World War, it was German forces that had more fully integrated tanks into their fighting methods. Armoured warfare was to be a vital part of the fighting in the Second World War.

How many tanks did the Soviet Union have in WW2?

The Soviet Union started and ended the war with more tanks than the rest of the world combined (18,000–22,000). At the start of World War II the most common tank in Soviet service was the T-26 (derived from the Vickers 6-ton), lightly armoured and armed with a 45 mm gun capable of penetrating most German tanks at normal combat ranges.

Why did Britain’s tank force perform so poorly in WW2?

There was little money available to equip a mechanised expeditionary force. These factors all had a huge impact on the development of Britain’s tank force and its performance during the Second World War. The British had previously been pioneers in tank warfare.

Why didn’t Japan use armored vehicles in WW2?

Japan’s World War II armored force was never an important component of the Imperial war machine and its performance throughout the war was mediocre at best. But why? Japan was among the first world powers to experiment with armored vehicles. It even put into practice combined-arms warfare years before the Germans did.