Could a Stuart........... (2 Viewers)

[maddadicus]

Could a Stuart actually do any damage to most of the frontline German armor out there. I know in the comics, they could ,but do any of you military guys know. Was going to do a small scene ,but did not want to have a Stuart represented by a smoldering pile of ashes.....Michael

 

[Louis Badolato]

From what I read, a Stuart was useful only for scouting purposes, and could not hope to successfully engage a Panzer III, Panzer IV, Panther or Tiger with its puny 35mm main gun. Shermans had enough trouble with these beasts, and a Stuart would be eaten for breakfast. The replacement for the Stuart, the Chaffee light tank, was upgunned to a 75mm and had sloped armor, so might have stood a (small?) chance against a Panzer III or Panzer IV.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

As a Tank Soldier by trade I will echo what has been posted and say the only way a Stuart would be effective against the German Tanks mentioned would be to hit them from the rear or the last 1/4 of the other tanks flank. It could also do some damage to tracks but would be a bad position if caught in the open right in front of the Germans. The British liked them in North Africa but the press was not so favorable in Europe. I will however do some digging in my books and see if I can find an incident of a Stuart successfully taking out any of these other vehicles.

Dave

 

[binder001]

On the good news, I know the answer. On the bad news, I can't find my xerox of the report. In the "Report Of Operations, First United States Army" is an Ordnance report of firing trials conducted near Isigny, France in August of 1944 using various US weapons against captured "Panther" tanks. The basic results were, yes the 37mm could penetrate the Panther from the rear, and at least the lower sides. The part don't have is the ranges, but I think 500yds is the number. I will go back to the local university library and see if they still have the First Army history in their government document holdings.
I will report back when I find the copy of the report.

Gary

 

[boot51]

This is from "German Tanks of World War Two" by George Forty. After Talking about a US Ordnance Section report stating the ineffectiveness of British and American guns on German armor in the Middle East in early 1942 the book goes on to state: "Of course there were exceptions and the Americans must have been very heartened when they first came up against German armor in northern Tunisia in late 1942. Several companies of 1st Armored Division, equipped with M3 Stuarts, ambushed a small force of six PzKpfw IV 'Specials' and three or more PzKpfw IIIs on 26 November 1942. 'Swarming around the German tanks the Stuarts with their 37 mm guns firing on flank and rear at close range, managed to knock out all the PzKpfw IV's and one of the III's. However, as the Ordnance history goes on to explain: ' this was a victory of superior numbers rather than superiority of material'."

Fred

 

[sceic2]

Could a Stuart actually do any damage to most of the frontline German armor out there. I know in the comics, they could ,but do any of you military guys know. Was going to do a small scene ,but did not want to have a Stuart represented by a smoldering pile of ashes.....Michael

Does anyone remember the comic book about the Stuart tank crew? I can not for the life of me remember that name. As I remember it, they were always taking on a tiger or a king and winning by running around it in circles.

 

[Njja]

I will have to go through my old comic collection. I think it was in Our Army

At War and the Ghost of Jeb Stuart haunted the tank, and always warned

them of pending danger......to the best of my recollection.

The best War Comic Stories were by E.C. as in Two Fisted Tales. They are

somewhat undiscovered because they were from the very early 1950's when

the "Baby Boomers" were below comic age. If you ever get a chance to find

the Bound Edition of these by all means grab them.

If anyone is interested I can post a picture of some of these great E.C.

releases.

Njja

 

[maddadicus]

Does anyone remember the comic book about the Stuart tank crew? I can not for the life of me remember that name. As I remember it, they were always taking on a tiger or a king and winning by running around it in circles.

That is what I was referring to. It was G.I.Combat with the " Haunted Tank ". The ghost of Jeb Stuart haunting the tank gave them the edge..Michael

 

[wadepat]

I will have to go through my old comic collection. I think it was in Our Army

At War and the Ghost of Jeb Stuart haunted the tank, and always warned

them of pending danger......to the best of my recollection.

The best War Comic Stories were by E.C. as in Two Fisted Tales. They are

somewhat undiscovered because they were from the very early 1950's when

the "Baby Boomers" were below comic age. If you ever get a chance to find

the Bound Edition of these by all means grab them.

If anyone is interested I can post a picture of some of these great E.C.

releases.

Njja

John,

I would be very interested in seeing a picture of some of the E.C. releases. I grew up during the 1950's and I really do not remember these particular comics. The fact that I do not remember them is mystifying as I read comics by the truckload.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[Njja]

Pat I will be delighted to post several photos of the hard bound 1980'S

releases of these great comics. The originals are far to fragile to actually

read, and are far to valuable. The old comic paper had a lot of acid in it, so

they do not age well. Even when stored properly it is very difficult.

These hard bound volumes were made with high quality paper, and can be

read and enjoyed. They can be found on occasion at comic shops or at

comic conventions perhaps some will be on E-bay. They usually bring between

$100 to $200 per volume and can be read and enjoyed over and over.

You will remember that E.C. began Mad Magazine with the first 24 issues

being 10 cent comics before they went to the magazine format because of

the "adult" nature.

Pictures to follow shortly!

Njja

 

[OzDigger]

This is from "German Tanks of World War Two" by George Forty. After Talking about a US Ordnance Section report stating the ineffectiveness of British and American guns on German armor in the Middle East in early 1942 the book goes on to state: "Of course there were exceptions and the Americans must have been very heartened when they first came up against German armor in northern Tunisia in late 1942. Several companies of 1st Armored Division, equipped with M3 Stuarts, ambushed a small force of six PzKpfw IV 'Specials' and three or more PzKpfw IIIs on 26 November 1942. 'Swarming around the German tanks the Stuarts with their 37 mm guns firing on flank and rear at close range, managed to knock out all the PzKpfw IV's and one of the III's. However, as the Ordnance history goes on to explain: ' this was a victory of superior numbers rather than superiority of material'."

Fred

I'm not sure about the Staurts, but I know the Sherman had a fast turret traverse compared to the German tanks. This higher traverse speed together with a more nimble tank was of some assistance in open areas. However in the confined areas in Europe against a defending German army these advantages were largely negated.

 

[Njja]

John,

I would be very interested in seeing a picture of some of the E.C. releases. I grew up during the 1950's and I really do not remember these particular comics. The fact that I do not remember them is mystifying as I read comics by the truckload.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

Hi Pat here are just a few of the E.C. Classics: First one is Aces High!

 

[Njja]

Here is Frontline Combat

 

[Njja]

Here is Piracy

 

[Njja]

Here is a shot of one of the best Two Fisted Tales.

 

[Njja]

Heres a shot of the insides each hardbound book contains about 10 full

comics. Each of the comics have a full color cover with the contents in black

and white. They are all original with a bit of information pertaining to each

comic.

First we have Aces High

 

[Njja]

Here is Frontline Combat

 

[Njja]

Here is Piracy

 

[Njja]

Last we have Two Fisted Tales. They made quite a few titles, science fiction

which are really cool, Newspaper stories, medical, they covered all kinds of

wacky titles. Its a shame they were just to far ahead of their time.

Njja

 

[wadepat]

Hi Pat here are just a few of the E.C. Classics: First one is Aces High!

Hi John,

Thanks for posting the pictures of the comics. They are great and the books containing them look fabulous. I think I now know why I didn't remember them. If I am correct, these comics became popular in the late 1950's. I had reached my teenage years during the late 50's and I only had time for two things: 1) my musclecar and 2) my girl friend. The comics of the late 50's simply did not create near as much excitement for me as my car and my girl friend.

However, I do remember seeing Aces High and Two Fisted Tales on the newsstand. I simply had other "fish to fry" during that period of my life and I did not read them. That time for me was the typical period of temporary insanity that most of us experienced. Now, fortunately, I have grown up and I have entered the stable period of the insanity of toy soldiering!

Thanks for posting the pictures. I have enjoyed them!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat