The M4 Sherman at War: The European Theatre 1942-1945 Vol. 1 (Armor at War 7001)

The US Army was a relative latecomer to the tank business in World War 2, The US tank force on the eve of war in Europe in 1939 was that of second-rate power; indeed the US Army had fewer tanks than armies like Italy or Poland. The neglect of the US armored force was caused by a complicated set of conditions including the economic stagnation of the Great Depression, and the tendency towards isolationism in US foreign policy. By 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt had begun to commit the US Army to a major rebuilding due to the perception that the United States would eventually be dragged into war. An important element in this effort was the considerable expansion of the US defense industry, to supply Lend Lease needs as well as the growing US Army. One of a series of books designed to be of interest to the military vehicle, aviation, uniform and equipment modeller and enthusiast. This particular book covers a tank which has the distinction of being the modeller's favourite tank, the T40 Sherman.