Forces of Valor 80067 1:32 U.S. M26 PERSHING

The Heavy Tank M26 Pershing was an American heavy tank briefly used in World War II. It was named after General John J. Pershing, who led the American Expeditionary Force in Europe in World War I.

Development of the M26 during World War II was prolonged by a number of factors. As a result, only the initial 20 M26 (T26E3) tanks deployed to Europe in January 1945 saw combat in World War II. The heavy U.S. tank losses in the Battle of the Bulge against a concentrated German tank force composed of some 400 Panther tanks, as well as Tiger II tanks and other German amoured fighting vehicles, revealed the deficiencies in the M4 Shermans and tank destroyers on the U.S. side. On 22 December 1944, while the battle still raged, the brand new Pershing tanks were ordered to be deployed to Europe. The unexpected German tank attack had settled the question once and for all as to whether the Pershing was needed. Twenty were sent in the first shipment arriving at the port of Antwerp in January 1945. They were given to the 1st Army, split between the 3rd and 9th Amoured Divisions. A total of 310 Pershing tanks would be sent to Europe before VE Day, but only the first 20 would see any combat action.