By the time World War II erupted, the tank had become the decisive weapon of modern battle. Across Europe and beyond, armored divisions determined the pace of campaigns and the fate of nations. German forces rolled out the Tiger and Panther, heavy machines built for raw firepower, while American factories turned out the Sherman by the tens of thousands.
On paper, the German tanks carried thicker armor and bigger guns, but they were costly, slow to maneuver, and difficult to keep supplied. The Sherman, smaller and less intimidating, earned its reputation through numbers, reliability, and the ability to adapt to every kind of terrain. Together these tanks shaped the strategy of both armies, from the fast-moving offensives of the early war to the grinding battles that followed.
Historian Stephen Ambrose guides us through this clash of steel, explaining how the balance between engineering, production, and tactics decided which side held the advantage.
