not to mention problems with the air intakes and engine exhaust...early model Panthers would often have engine problems whenever they moved through overgrown areas, the reason, Panther A was built with no screens over the air intake fans, pine needles et al would get sucked into the engine and "tankee no goee", the crews simply welded a bucket upside down over the intakes and then punched a few dozen holes, ad hoc filter, but it worked.
The exhaust was another story, Panther A would often enjoy that "cherry red" look on its pipes, not a godd thing during those night moves...Panther G went with an armored cover and fan to reduce exhaust temps.
Still, teething problems with new equipment!
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The reason that the American Army does so well in wartime, is that war is chaos, and the American Army practices chaos on a daily basis.
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