Tank Destroyers. National Museum of Military History

Tank destroyers are a uniquely American weapon from the Second World War, like "assault guns" and Jadgpanzers were uniquely German.  They stem from the early war debate in the U.S. Army on whether the best defense against tanks were tanks, or anti tank guns.  Infantrymen tended to feel antitank guns were, which is also the same basic line of thinking that gave rise to German assault guns.  The war would prove this line of thinking incorrect.

The M36 was a large tank destroyer with a really substantial gun.  Like the description below notes, it was open topped, and it was not as heavily armored as a tank, hence its disadvantage.
 

The M18 was the best of the American tank destroyers, even though it was not the most heavily gunned.  It was fast, which gave it an advantage over other tank destroyers.

Last edition:

The M4 Sherman Tank. National Museum of Military Vehicles

Labels: 1940s, 1944, Armor, Korean War, National Museum of Military Vehicles, Tracked vehicles, World War Two, Wyoming (Dubois)