Combat involving tanks grew increasingly normalized in the scope of modern warfare and much data could be garnered from such actions. In the East, the Empire of Japan was growing in its own power and ambitions, developing a plan to take over the resources-rich territories of Southeast Asia and the Pacific. Adolf Hitler consolidated his power in the 1930s until he controlled Germany both politically and militarily with his eyes geared towards conquest of France, Britain and the Soviet Union. It was not until the evolution of another world war in Europe showcased the growing need to prepare for possible American involvement on the modern battlefield. For the latter, the concept of the battleship was brought to these 'landships' as massive tracked vehicles were afforded a dozen crew and multiple turret emplacements to counter any defense proposed by the enemy.įor the US Army, tank development understandably proceeded at a very slow pace. Tanks were beginning to evolve into distinct Light, Medium and Heavy tank classifications. With that, what developments that did appear were beginning to take all new concepts into all new directions with European powers leading the way. The lozenge-shaped tanks developed by the British had run their course in World War 1 and the turreted tank system introduced by the French through the FT-17 was adopted as the worldwide standard. Tank design and production during the interwar years following World War 1 were extremely limited, leaving only a few select developments to see considerable production and usage.

Military history of us tanks