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1. The army with the backdrop 1940 accepted only 97 tanks (from 117 made).I dont understand why the T-34 is not included in this list. Designed in 1939, entered service in 1940. First Operational units were the 4th Mech Corps, and 10th Tank Divisions. the 10th was shipped to the Far East, where it is highly likely that it fought in a number of minor clashes with the Japanese. According to one of my sources, the Japanese prepred a report, and passed it on to the Germans, forcefully describing the potency of this new weapon. It was ignored, of course.
"Panzer III Its Variants" by Walter J. SpielbergerProduction of the "ZF" vehicles with the 50mm KwK began with 10 vehicles in June 1940.
It depends on your criteria for "best"? Which theater? Offensive or defensive?
If your tank's main purpose is to battle other tanks, the Matilda might come out best, as it's gun could easily penetrate 30mm armout, while the German 37mm tanks antitank guns had great difficulty vs. Matilda's armour (as was found in France)
Difficult question, partly because at that time the philosophy behind tanks design was not such much generic as build for purpose.
So for an infantry support tank the PzKv IV woudl be my choice of the best, the lack of an HE round makes the Matilda of limited use in that role.
In a pure anti-armour role it is more difficult call. The single man turret of the S35 lets down an otherwise excellent design for the times. But one man can not command load aim and fire the main gun.
For this one I think the Cruiser tanks A9/A10 would be the best, a good turn of speed, adequate gun and armour for the times.
The Matilda is simply to slow, at 15 mph it moves at the 1/2 to 3/4's the speed of any of it's opponents
The 38t is also a contender but I was never a fan of riveted armour, otherwise a good well thought out design.
too me have no info on tank action on "china"/soviet border after Khalin Gol.
for true the panzer III with 50 is not on list but if you've references on it use in battle please show us
Difficult question, partly because at that time the philosophy behind tanks design was not such much generic as build for purpose.
So for an infantry support tank the PzKv IV woudl be my choice of the best, the lack of an HE round makes the Matilda of limited use in that role.
In a pure anti-armour role it is more difficult call. The single man turret of the S35 lets down an otherwise excellent design for the times. But one man can not command load aim and fire the main gun.
For this one I think the Cruiser tanks A9/A10 would be the best, a good turn of speed, adequate gun and armour for the times.
The Matilda is simply too slow, at 15 mph it moves at the 1/2 to 3/4's the speed of any of it's opponents
The 38t is also a contender but I was never a fan of riveted armour, otherwise a good well thought out design.
armour comparation
Pz IV D Hull 20/30 mm Turret 20/35 mm
Pz III F Hull 21/30 mm Turret 30 mm
S 35 Hull 25/36 mm Turret 56 mm
Cruiser mk IV Hull 14/30 mm Turret 14/30 mm
Infantry mk II Hull 47/78 mm Turret 75 mm
M13/40 Hull 8/30 mm Turret 25/42 mm
armour penetration 30° at 500 meters
~ 30 mm: 37 mm german
~ 35 mm: 47 mm french and austrian, 45 mm soviet, 75 mm french
~ 40 mm: 75 mm german
~ 45 mm: 2 pdr. british, 75 mm german (with heat)
~ 50 mm: 76 mm soviet
Hmmm....
Well I guess I look as the Matilda as being able to be bypassed by faster armour leaving it for something else to deal with. But if we assume that the idea is to have a tank that kills other tanks, then I would have to agree that the Matilda is the best tank vs tank.
Just so I am clear this is based on the objective of tank vs tank combat to end up controlling the tactical battlefield at the end of the day. In this case speed is less of an issue than armour and gun. And we are all in agreement that the Matilda had very good armour and as good an anti-armour gun as any other tank. With a multi-crew turret and reasonable communications for the time it would be the clear winner in tank vs tank.