This month's book vote sees five Duel (Military) titles battling for your support. Read the full descriptions and have your say by filling out the form below. Plus, check out the results of last month's Fleet vote.
M4A3E8 Medium Tank vs T-34-85: Korea 1950
M42 Duster vs RPG: Vietnam 1966–72
PT-76 vs M72 LAW: Vietnam 1968–69
M24 Chaffee vs PT-76: Indo-Pakistani War 1971
Chieftain vs T-62: Iran–Iraq War 1980–88
M4A3E8 Medium Tank vs T-34-85: Korea 1950
In the aftermath of North Korea’s invasion of the South in June 1950, the US Army’s M4A3E8 medium tanks faced the Korean People’s Army’s T-34-85s, notably during the Battle of the Pusan Perimeter in September 1950. These two World War II veterans were pitched into the seesaw fighting of the Korean War’s mobile phase, shortly before the Incheon landings that transformed the conflict.
M42 Duster vs RPG: Vietnam 1966–72
Originally an antiaircraft weapon, the M42 “Duster” was armed with twin 40mm guns that proved lethally effective during ground operations in Vietnam. Facing US and allied forces equipped with the M42, North Vietnamese troops employed the portable, shoulder-fired B-40 and B-41 in the anti-tank role during counterinsurgency operations and full-scale battles alike.
PT-76 vs M72 LAW: Vietnam 1968–69
North Vietnam’s carefully assembled armour was unleashed during 1968’s Tet Offensive and continued to see action against Free World tanks in 1969, notably at Ben Het in March that year. The shoulder-fired, disposable M72 LAW equipped US soldiers and Marines, providing them with vital anti-tank firepower in the face of North Vietnamese armour and emplacements.
M24 Chaffee vs PT-76: Indo-Pakistani War 1971
The 1971 war between India and Pakistan saw multiple armour variants fielded by both sides, and a number of major armoured clashes. Even before widespread hostilities commenced, India’s PT-76 amphibious tanks fought Pakistan’s M24 Chaffee light tanks at Garibpur in November 1971, in a battle that would shape the course of the impending conflict.
Chieftain vs T-62: Iran–Iraq War 1980–88
In January 1981, Iranian armour attacked Iraqi forces that had invaded south-western Iran, sparking a bloody five-day battle that saw the biggest tank clashes of the conflict. Hull-down Iraqi T-62s mounted a lethally effective defence, while Iran’s Chieftain tanks were hampered by a lack of infantry support and poor reconnaissance.
Last month, we asked what you would like to see published in our Fleet series. Thank you to everyone who voted and provided feedback. Here are the results:
Royal Navy China Station 1902–33: Gunboats on the far side of the world – 26%
Kriegsmarine Task Force Norway 1940: Germany’s biggest amphibious fleet – 20%
Allied Fleet at Gallipoli 1915–16: The battle for the Dardanelles – 25%
NATO Atlantic Command 1980–91: The height of Cold War naval power – 20%
Iwo Jima Invasion Fleet 1945: The US armada in the bloodiest island battle – 9%
Use the form to pick your favourite book.
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