The 10 Most Significant Tanks of World War II

TheCollector presents a list of the ten most important tanks of World War II, based on their impact on campaigns or influence on tank design, rather than pure fighting ability. The list includes the Panzer IV, Matilda, T-34, M3 Lee/Grant, Churchill, Sherman, Tiger I, Panther, IS-2, and T-34/85. The Panzer IV was the only tank to serve throughout the European war, with about 8,500 produced. The Matilda's heavy armor (78mm) caused a significant delay in the German advance at Arras in 1940. The T-34, with its 76mm gun and sloped armor, shocked the Germans in 1941 and was produced in massive numbers (58,000). The M3 Lee/Grant helped stem the Axis advance at Gazala in 1942. The Churchill served as the basis for specialized 'Funnies' used in the Normandy landings. The Sherman was the mainstay of Western Allied forces, with over 49,000 produced. The Tiger I, though only 1,350 built, had a fearsome reputation and heavy armor and 8.8cm gun. The Panther was the finest individual tank, with excellent frontal protection and a high-velocity 7.5cm gun. The IS-2 was the first tank to match the Tiger and Panther, with a 122mm gun. The T-34/85, an upgrade of the T-34, became the dominant Soviet tank by 1945. The list highlights how mass production and design evolution shaped the outcome of the war.