A Surprise That Disappointed German Tank Crews: The American Pershing Tank.

Описание: On March 6, 1945, in front of Cologne Cathedral, a moment occurred that shattered the myth of the invincibility of German tanks. For the first time, experienced German crews faced something they had never encountered before: the American M26 Pershing.

For years, tanks like the Panther, Tiger I, and Tiger II (King Tiger) had dominated the battlefield. Their 88mm guns and heavy armor had given German crews the confidence that no Allied tank could directly confront them. Sherman crews often had to rely on numerical superiority, maneuverability, and air support to survive.

But Cologne changed that.

When the Pershing's 90mm gun opened fire, it proved that the United States had finally developed a tank capable of penetrating German heavy armor at combat range. Filmed by US Army cameramen, the famous tank duel near Cologne Cathedral became one of the most documented battles of World War II.

This video includes:

First combat glimpses of the M26 Pershing

A description of the Cologne tank duel

A comparison of the 90 mm M3 gun with the German 88 mm KwK 36 gun

Production figures: US industry and German heavy tank production

The psychological impact on German Panzer crews

Why just ~20 Pershings had such a huge impact in combat

We also examine how American industrial power – from Detroit's tank factories to rapid modernization programs – shifted the balance in the final months of World War II.

Was the Pershing truly superior to the Panther and Tiger tanks?

Or was its greatest weapon the psychological shock it created?

Watch to the end to see how 20 tanks changed the mentality of an entire armored unit. You absolutely must watch this video to see the shock experienced by German prisoners of war upon witnessing American industrial power! :    • German POWs Were Shocked By America's Indu...