Equipment losses in World War II Equipment losses in World War II Equipment losses in World War II or Matériel losses in World War II refers to military equipment destroyed during World War II, the deadliest and most costly war in the history of the world. On the Western Front in 1944–1945, 4,477 British Commonwealth tanks were destroyed, including 2,712 M4 Sherman tanks, 656 Churchill tanks, 609 Cromwell tanks, 433 M3 Stuart light tanks, 39 Cruiser Mk VIII Challenger tanks, 26 Comet tanks, 2 M24 Chaffee light tanks. From June 6, 1944 through May 15, 1945 for US tank and tank destroyer losses in the European
Main battle tank Development of the universal tank ceased, and Centurion entered service just as World War II finished, becoming a multi-role vehicle forming the main battle tank force of the British army (and other nations through export). The addition of the 20 pounder gun in 1948 gave the tank a significant advantage over other tanks of the era. This paved the way for a new tank classification, the main battle tank, and Centurion is considered by many to be the first MBT as designed. A surplus of effective WWII-era designs in other forces, notably the US and the Soviet Union, led to