M-5 Stuart, Satan Flamethrower Tank

The light M5 Stuart remained in use as a main battle tank for much longer in the Pacific than in other theaters. It was better than the Japanese Type 95 Ha-go light tank. The Type 97 Chi-ha medium tank had a more powerful 47mm gun, but much thinner armor (only 25mm at its thickest), so the M5 and M5A1 could fight it on at least equal terms.

Being outfitted with a Ronson flamethrower which replaced the main gun. 20 tanks were converted for US Marine Corps in 1943. They were used to great effect on Japanese strong points and caves that proved a tough nut to crack for the advancing Marines.

In Europe, Allied light tanks had to be given cavalry and infantry fire support roles since their main cannon armament could not compete with heavier enemy armored fighting vehicles.  However, the Stuart was still effective in combat in the Pacific, as Japanese tanks were both relatively rare and were lighter in armor than even Allied light tanks.  Japanese infantrymen were not well equipped with ant-tank weapons, and as such had to use close assault tactics.  In this environment, the Stuart was only moderately more vulnerable than medium tanks.

Crews of ‘flame’ tanks were not necessarily more vulnerable than those crews in the regular, standard version of the tank, but the crews of flamethrowing tanks were often treated differently should they be captured alive by enemy troops.

Due to the perceived inhumanity of the weapon itself, captured crews of such tanks were often treated much less humanely than crews of regular tanks. Instances of ‘flame tankers’ being executed by the opposite troops upon capture were not uncommon.

Flame tanks also suffered from the fact, along with flamethrower-armed troops, that all enemy within range would usually open up on them due to the fear of the weapon. (Wikipedia)

This tank is a super rare recreation of the infamous Satan Tank which now tours the show circuit in America.

 

 

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Military Tank Humor –

 

 

 

 

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Farewell Salutes –

Melton Brockman – Bainbridge Island, WA; USMC, WWII, PTO, 7th Service Regiment, mechanic

Robert Burke – Cincinnati, OH; US Army, WWII, CBI

Cornelius Duffy – Olean, NY; US Merchant Marines, WWII / US Army, 2nd Lt.

Sol Grossman – Boyle Heights, CA; US Navy, WWII

William Harvey – McKees Rock, PA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ/188th/11th Airborne Division

Nathan Keen Jr. – Lake City, FL; USMC, WWII, PTO / US Air Force, CMSgt. (Ret, 25 y.)

Albert Masserini – Trenton, NJ; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, B-7 gunner, Lt. Col. (Ret.)

Dean Smith – Bussey, IA; US Army, WWII, PTO, medic

Therese Thackray (100) – Yorkshire, ENG; Royal Navy WRNS, WWII, Code & Cypher Officer

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