By the end of World War Two, the tank was established as one of the most potent battle winners in history. Between 1939 and 1945 over 280,000 tanks of all types had been built by the major combatants - 105,000 by the Soviets alone. The tank had undoubtedly become the main weapon of the land-based army. This book covers in comprehensive detail the development, production and battlefield use by the forces of Great Britain, the Commonwealth, the USA, the Soviet Union, France, Germany, Italy and Japan, as well as the other combatant countries.