Wasn't the Sherman Tank known as the "Ronson" by its crew. The opening scene in "Patton" involves a discussion of diesel powered 88's whipping up on gasoline powered 75's.

Rob - Good telling here. From the first time I saw the movie "Battle Of The Bulge" (too loose and fast with history for my taste) I've been haunted by the "Panzerlied", especially the way it was performed in the film. Many times before a junior high band competition I paced before my young charges muttering "Too many Boys....too many boys" and almost expected them to start singing and stamping their feet in time. ;D

The vunerable Sherman (except the Brit Firefly version with the 17 Pdr) was nicknamed "Ronson", "Grim Flamer", "Tommy Cooker", etc... due to fuel fires as a result of impacts by Panther and Tiger guns which could engage at any range. The Tiger II's Kwk43 L/71 could defeat any tank in the world at up to 2000m+. All Western tanks except the Firefly had to engage at 500m or less up to point blank to score a rear shot, or knock a track off. Latter Soviet tanks were better, able to engage from 1000-1500m. IS-3 never met in combat. The Tigers were awesome but outnumbered by tens of thousands of enemy tanks deluging the Reich. Most were taken out by aircraft with 6" rockets or bombs... or they simply ran out of ammo and/or fuel and were abandoned.

Dammit, OMR now I won't be able to get the lyrics of Panzer Song out of my mind all day -- "Our faces may be choked with dust, but our spirit still is strong yes, still is strong .... It's roaring now, our Panzer ... into the fray again."

Ah, what a web you weave.

Short and mighty...68 ton, eh? heavy subject

Modern MBTs like the M1A2 Abrams, Leo IIA-5 thru A-7 and PSO, and Merkava 4 weigh 62+ tons each loaded and can still "fly" over hills with 1500+ hp powerpacks!!! Germans are prepared for future Leo III since a long time ago with a 140mm main gun, 2000 hp MTU powerpack, EM field-deflective armor, cold-filter exhaust under the tank, anti-top attack systems, electro-optics, Anti-personnel frangible ammo , 30mm top recoilless cannon, and a range of other tech. Russians are stalled on the Black Eagle and are still playing with T-90 upgraded spin-offs.