Rumble in the Jungle: American Tanks in Vietnam

[Cedric]

Three of the five vehicles you mention are wheeled (and two of them essentially the same vehicle with different armament). Considerable effort was given to a conversion from wheels to tracks in the post-WWII environment due to mobility issues cross-country. Everything pretty much went to tracks and wheeled combat vehicles lost advocacy until the late '60's-early '70's with the introduction of several "scout" vehicles that were wheeled. XM800(W), XM808 Twister, XR311, V100 variants (Cadillac Gage) etc. Lockheed, in particular, pushed wheels. At the same time there were some publications comparing wheels vs. tracks with newer technology. Only the Stryker has found any real "traction".

Forgot half tracks in the squadron also. When you got up to Mechanized Cav groups such as the 2d there were 2=3 recon squadrons and a tank battalion. My point was whether wheeled or tracked or ideally a combination of both, we had the focus on recon with complimentary capabilities in WWII. I understand the movement to tracks because outside of Germany with its logging trails and manicured terrain, tracks would be necessary instead of wheels. However, putting all of our eggs in spinning off a CFV from an IFV as our singular solution was nuts.