Article Summary: Throughout history, some tanks have changed the course of warfare, while others were disasters from the start. This list highlights five of the worst tanks ever built, based on poor design, mechanical failures, and terrible combat performance.
-The Soviet T-35 was a massive “land battleship” that was slow and unreliable. The German Maus was so heavy it could barely move. Japan’s Type 95 Ha-Go was obsolete from day one. Meanwhile, the U.S. M3 Lee had an impractical design, and New Zealand’s Bob Semple Tank was more of a joke than a weapon.
-These tanks proved that bigger—or weirder—isn’t always better.
The 5 Worst Tanks in History: Total Failures on the Battlefield
Throughout the history of modern warfare, some tank designs have gone forward to winning wars and altering the course of history.
Others left a relatively small impact on the battlefield but still revolutionized the industry.
Some tank designs, however, were dead on arrival. Today, I would like to list what I think are the top five worst tanks in history.
These entries are based on their poor design, poor mechanical reliability, and overall poor combat performance.
5. M3 Lee/Grant (United States)
I was hesitant to put the M3 on this list as I am personally quite fond of it, but I think it deserves to be here due to its impractical design. The M3 Lee, also known as the Grant in British service, was an American medium tank used during World War II.
Its design featured a high-profile hull with a 75mm gun mounted in a sponson on the right side and a 37mm gun in a turret.
This configuration made the tank difficult to operate and limited its effectiveness in combat. The M3’s high silhouette made it an easy target, and its armor was insufficient against German anti-tank weapons.
A British M3 (Stuart I) knocked out during fighting in North Africa.
While it served as a stopgap measure, the M3 Lee/Grant was quickly replaced by more effective designs like the M4 Sherman.
4. Type 95 Ha-Go (Japan)
The Type 95 Ha-Go was a light tank used by the Japanese during World War II. While it performed adequately in the early stages of the war, it quickly became obsolete.
The tank’s 37mm gun was ineffective against Allied armor, and its thin armor made it vulnerable to even small arms fire.
The Type 95 Ha-Go’s limited speed and poor off-road capabilities further hindered its effectiveness.
Despite these shortcomings, over 2,300 units were produced, leading to significant losses in later battles.
3. Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus (Germany)
The Maus is infamous in WW2 historical circles due to its impressive but woefully impractical design. The Panzerkampfwagen VIII Maus was an experimental super-heavy tank developed by Nazi Germany during World War II.
Weighing nearly 200 tons, the Maus was the heaviest tank ever built. Its massive size and weight made it extremely slow and difficult to maneuver, with a top speed of just 12 mph. The Maus’s thick armor provided excellent protection, but its 128mm main gun was overkill for most battlefield scenarios.
Only two prototypes were built, and the Maus never saw combat. Its impractical design and limited mobility make it one of the worst tanks in history.
2. Bob Semple Tank (New Zealand)
More of a meme than an actual tank, the Bob Semple Tank is often cited as one of the worst tanks ever built. Designed during World War II by New Zealand Minister of Works Bob Semple, this tank was essentially a tractor covered in corrugated iron.
Bob Semple Tractor. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
Bob Semple Tractor Tank. Image Credit: Creative Commons.
It was armed with multiple Bren guns and required a crew of six to eight men. The tank’s armor was inadequate, and its design was highly impractical.
The Bob Semple Tank never saw combat and was widely ridiculed for its poor performance and lack of protection.
1. T-35 (Soviet Union)
The T-35, often referred to as a “land battleship,” was a massive multi-turreted tank introduced in the 1930s. Despite its imposing appearance, the T-35 was plagued by numerous issues. Its size and weight made it slow and difficult to maneuver, with a top speed of just 8.5 mph.
T-95 Tank
T-35 Tank.
T-35. Image: Creative Commons.
T-35A in the Kubinka Museum. Image: Creative Commons.
The tank’s armor was relatively thin, making it vulnerable to enemy fire. Additionally, the T-35’s complex design required a large crew and was prone to mechanical failures.
Most T-35s were lost to mechanical breakdowns rather than enemy action during World War II.
About the Author: Isaac Seitz
Isaac Seitz, a 19FortyFive Defense Columnist, graduated from Patrick Henry College’s Strategic Intelligence and National Security program. He has also studied Russian at Middlebury Language Schools and has worked as an intelligence Analyst in the private sector.
