Operation Overlord was the codename for the Allied amphibious invasion of Normandy in France, which began on June 6, 1944 – a date that is remembered as D-Day – and ended on August 25 of that year, when Paris was liberated. Sometimes know as the Battle of Normandy, Operation Overlord was the largest amphibious invasion …
Author Archives: M Malory
T-70 Light Tank
The T-70 light tank played an important role during World War II because it was cheap and easy to mass produce. In the 1930s, the Soviet Union purchased some British Carden-Loyd Light Amphibious Tanks from Vickers-Armstrong. These were used as a model for a Soviet light amphibious tank that became known as the T-37. This …
World War II – Battle of Kursk
The Battle of Kursk was Germany’s last attempt to launch an offensive attack in Russia during World War II. Although the number of tanks that were used in the battle has been disputed, it is generally believed that more tanks were used during the Battle of Kursk than in any other battle in history. By …
World War II – Capture of Tunisia
A series of World War II battles that took place in Tunisia in the first half of 1943 resulted in Axis forces being ejected from all of North Africa. After the Second Battle of El Alamein, Rommel withdrew to the Mareth Line, in southeastern Tunisia. The Mareth Line was a line of fortifications that had …
World War II – Second Battle of El Alamein
The Second Battle of El Alamein is considered a turning point in World War II. After the Battle of Alam el Halfa, the British were left in an advantageous position. Axis forces were low on armored reserves and low on fuel. Supply lines were very long, and armored units had to be broken up so …
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World War II – Battle of Alam el Halfa
During the Battle of Alam el Halfa, which took place in North Africa during World War II, Rommel attempted to regain El Alamein in Egypt; eventually, however, he was forced to retreat. The Battle of Alam el Halfa (sometimes known as the Battle of Alam Halfa) lasted from August 30 to September 5, 1941. After …
Tanks in Afghanistan
In the more than 30 years in which armed conflict has taken place in Afghanistan, tanks have not played a very strong role. The rocky, mountainous terrain that covers the Afghan countryside is not well suited for tank warfare. However, the decades of conflict in Afghanistan have provided valuable lessons on the appropriate use of …
Tanks During the Second Gulf War
At the end of the First Gulf War, in February 1991, Kuwait was liberated. However, Saddam Hussein remained in power in Iraq. In the spring of 2003, a coalition, led by the United State, invaded Iraq. Its stated aims were to remove Saddam Hussein from power and to remove the threat of weapons of mass …
World War II – First Battle of El Alamein
A British attempt to prevent Axis forces in North Africa from advancing to Alexandria, Egypt led to the First Battle of El Alamein during World War II. During the First Battle of El Alamein, the British tank force clearly had a numerical advantage over German armored forces. However, the British were hampered by poor strategy …
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Tanks During the First Chechen War
During the First Chechen War, which lasted from December 1994 to August 1996, the Russian Federation attempted to prevent the Republic of Chechnya from gaining independence. Despite having superior military technology, the Russians were incapable of defeating the Chechens, who relied largely on guerrilla fighting tactics. The First Chechen War demonstrated the need for tanks …
Pz 68 Main Battle Tank
The Pz 68 main battle tank is an indigenous Swiss main battle tank. It is no longer in service. In the early 1950s, Switzerland began to work on developing its own main battle tank. A prototype of a new tank was built in 1958, and another was built in 1959. Between 1960 and 1961, 10 …
OF-40 Main Battle Tank
Design of the Italian OF-40 main battle tank began in 1977, as a joint venture between Oto Melara (now Otobreda) and Fiat. The powerpack was designed by Fiat, while the tank’s overall design was Oto Melara’s responsibility. Oto Melara was also responsible for production. The OF-40 main battle tank was designed specifically for export. It …