“Cheap, light, fast and highly maneuverable, tank destroyers packed powerful, high-velocity guns designed to knock out enemy tanks.”

ALTHOUGH the tank was nearly 25-years old by the time of the Second World War, it wasn’t until 1939 or 1940 that the concept of armoured warfare truly came of age. Indeed, tanks played a key role in Germany’s Blitzkrieg strategy, where they were massed to overwhelm defences, exploit weak points, and drive deep into enemy territory. The Allies were largely ill-prepared for the onslaught, underestimating the speed and firepower of Germany’s panzer formations, particularly in France and Poland.

Yet as the war continued, a whole new class of armoured fighting vehicle emerged to challenge the seeming primacy of the tank. It was dubbed the tank destroyer.

Cheap, light, fast and highly maneuverable, tank destroyers packed powerful, high-velocity guns designed to knock out enemy tanks. Allied strategists organized their tank destroyers into mobile forces that could swiftly respond to tank threats relying on speed, maneuverability, and ambush tactics.

American tank destroyers were integral to the Allied victory in Europe. While they were often outclassed in armour and protection compared to their German counterparts, American tank destroyers levelled the playing field.

M10 Wolverine: The Workhorse Tank Destroyer

Development: The M10 Wolverine, America’s first true tank destroyer, was born out of a need for a mobile, affordable, and effective anti-tank vehicle. Developed on the reliable chassis of the M4 Sherman, the M10 Wolverine entered service in 1942. With its sloped armour and open-topped turret, the M10 was distinct from other armored vehicles in the American arsenal, embodying the tank destroyer doctrine of speed over protection.

Weaponry: The Wolverine was armed with a 3-inch (76.2 mm) M7 gun, which offered substantial firepower against German tanks at the time. Although it initially struggled against the thick armor of heavy tanks like the Tiger I, the 3-inch gun proved effective against the medium tanks the Allies encountered more frequently. The open turret allowed the crew to operate with better visibility but at the cost of protection, leaving them vulnerable to small arms and artillery fire.

Performance and Combat Record: The M10 performed admirably on the European front, notably during the Normandy campaign and the Battle of the Bulge, where it helped hold back German armor. Its limitations, however, became more evident as German tank designs advanced. Although it could no longer match German heavy tanks one-on-one, the M10’s reliability and ease of production ensured that it remained in service throughout the war, often used in combination with infantry and artillery for effective ambush tactics.

M18 Hellcat: The Fastest Armoured Vehicle of the War

Development: Introduced in 1944, the M18 Hellcat represented a significant shift in tank destroyer design, prioritizing speed above all else. This was a response to the evolving battlefield, where speed was essential for countering German tank thrusts. Built on a specially designed chassis, the M18 featured a lightweight frame with a 76mm gun, making it the fastest tracked vehicle in the U.S. Army’s arsenal, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour (88.5 km/h).

Weaponry: Armed with a 76mm M1 gun, the M18 had improved penetration capabilities over its predecessor, the M10, and could effectively take on the Panther and other medium German tanks. The M18’s open-topped turret, like that of the M10, sacrificed crew protection but allowed for a faster, more responsive firing capability.

Performance and Combat Record: The Hellcat’s speed allowed it to employ hit-and-run tactics with devastating effect, especially during the Battle of the Bulge, where its mobility enabled it to outmaneuver German armour. The Hellcat’s lightweight design, however, meant it was thin skinned, making direct engagements against heavier tanks risky. Despite these limitations, the M18 Hellcat is credited with one of the highest kill-to-loss ratios of any American fighting vehicle of the war, exemplifying the hit-and-run strategy envisioned by U.S. planners.

M36 Jackson: America’s Heavy Hitter

Development: By 1944, it was clear that a more powerful tank destroyer was necessary to handle increasingly formidable German tanks like the Panther and the Tiger. The M36 Jackson was developed as a response, using the M10’s chassis but mounting a 90mm gun capable of penetrating even the heaviest German armour at range.

Weaponry: The M36’s 90mm M3 gun was a game-changer on the battlefield, giving American forces the firepower necessary to engage German heavy tanks head-on. With high-velocity shells and an open-topped turret that provided ample visibility, the M36 had greater range and power than both the M10 and M18, allowing it to take on any tank in the German arsenal.

Performance and Combat Record: The M36 Jackson arrived on the battlefield relatively late in the war but made an immediate impact. During the Battle of the Bulge, it was one of the few vehicles capable of effectively combating German heavy armour in direct confrontations. The M36’s success lay in its ability to combine the mobility of the earlier M10 with the increased firepower of the 90mm gun. As German armoured forces dwindled toward the war’s end, the M36 became a decisive asset in the Allies’ push into Germany, providing essential firepower during the final battles of the European Theatre.

Tank Destroyer Doctrine in Retrospect

Although the tank destroyer concept faded after the war as the distinction between tanks and anti-tank roles blurred, the legacy of these vehicles endures as a testament to the innovation and adaptability of wartime engineering.

For more resources on World War II tank destroyers, military historians recommend checking the U.S. Army’s History of Tank Destroyers, as well as Armor and Anti-Armor Tactics in World War II.

Each tank destroyer profiled here demonstrates unique characteristics that fulfilled specific roles on the battlefield. Whether through the versatility of the M10 Wolverine, the unmatched speed of the M18 Hellcat, or the sheer power of the M36 Jackson, these tank destroyers left an indelible mark on armoured warfare.