Introduction
World War Two, the largest armed conflict in human history, was influenced very heavily by armored fighting vehicles. In fact, many historians believe that tanks played a bigger role in WWII than in any war before or since. Being as influential as they were, it’s no surprise that they were produced in massive numbers, but what may come as a shock is the fact that the five most numerous were produced by just five of the wars’ 50+ belligerents.
5 – British Valentine – 8,275
Across 11 variants, the British Valentine tank was the fifth most produced in the whole war. They were used extensively in the North African campaign by the British and New Zealand armies, as well as by the Soviet Union, to which roughly 3,400 were sold over the course of the war. The reason for the tank’s name is not confirmed, but most believe it is called Valentine because the design was presented to the War Office on Valentine’s Day, 1940.
4 – German Panzer IV – 8,553
Despite being known for its mass numbers of fearsome Panzers, the German army produced just over 8,500 Panzer IVs from 1936 to 1945. This is no small number, but it pales in comparison to the other entries in this list. This may make it seem that the Germans didn’t have as many tanks as the rumors may have it, the Nazis funded many different tanks of many different variants throughout the war. This contrasted with the allied approach of tank production, the idea that just a few different models produced in great numbers would get the job done.
3 – American M3 Stuart – 22,744
The American M3 and M5 Stuart light tank is the most produced light tank in history. It saw extensive service in North Africa as well as in the Pacific theater. With its high speed and smooth ride, tank crews were tasked with using it on recon missions and to cut off enemy points of retreat during battle. The British army used it heavily, and they are responsible for giving it its name. Named Stuart after the Confederate general from the American Civil War.
2 – American M4 Sherman – ~50,000
The iconic M4 Sherman is the third most produced tank in history, the second most produced in WW2, and the most produced American tank ever. It went through several improvements throughout its service time, from thicker armor to a stronger gun and a more powerful engine. It was an incredibly effective tank to produce, its only drawback being its tendency to catch fire when struck in the engine compartment, earning it the infamous nickname of ‘Tommy Cooker’
1 – Soviet T-34 – ~84,000
The T-34 was, by far, the most produced tank of the second world war. The only reason that it is not the most produced of all time is because its successor, the T-54/55, holds 1st place at almost 100,000 units. The T-34 played such a significant role in the war that many German weapons, from cannons to tanks themselves, were produced solely to counter this vehicle. Incredibly cheap and immensely effective, there hasn’t been anything else quite like it.
Sources: https://www.hotcars.com/most-produced-tanks-of-ww2-ranked/#british-crusader-tank---5-300
