Was the Turan II the most effective allied tank produced?
Trying to figure out what is being asked with this question.
Is the question whether the Turan II was the most effective tank made by an Axis country other than Germany? Shall we exclude Japan from consideration, and look only at Germany's European Allies?
When we say "effective", do we mean the specs of the tank, or it's combat record? And "produced" … does this mean produced in volume, or somebody actually made it (not a paper design)?
Depending on what we mean by the question, I would suggest three possible competitors for the title.
First is the Italian P.26/40. From the specs it seems to win hands-down. Better armor, better gun. I have no information on it's reliability or service record. But to my understanding it only saw combat in the hands of the Germans (built by the Italians, but seized by the Germans when Italy changed sides). So I don't know if that counts.
Second in my count would be the Japanese Type-97-Kai Shinhoto Chi-Ha. It was a more successful tank in it's combat record. I don't suggest it is a slam dunk winner in a comparison of specs, but I would make the case for it. But it was not a European tank.
Third, the Hungarian's own Turan III was a more capable tank. As I understand it a few were built (it was not just a paper design), but it never made it to high-volume production and did not see combat.
I would also put both the Hungarian Zryinyi and the Italian Semovente de 75 (various versions) into the mix. These were StuG-style assault guns, but were evidently pretty successful and well regarded.
That's my tank-take.
-Mark
(aka: Mk 1)
makes corrections when some models don't turn out the way he expected!
