Historic Significance

The Stuart Tank is not just a significant part of the History of Berwick; it played a significant role in United States and World History.

• The Stuart Tank was the first US Tank designed to function independently, with a top speed of 35 mph. Previous tanks were designed specifically for infantry support with a top speed of only 10 mph.
• The M2A4 was the first US Military Tank to be built on an assembly line. Previous US-built tanks were individually fabricated at the various US Arsenals, particularly the Rock Island Arsenal.
• The M3 was the first Tank included in the Lend-Lease Program as part of the Arsenal of Democracy.
• The Stuart Tank was utilized by all Allied armies in all War Theatres: North Africa, Europe, Asia, Pacific, including Alaska and Antarctica.
• ACF - Berwick was the largest producer of armor plate at the time, producing at least 10% of all armor plate for the US Military at the time.
• Every armored vehicle produced in the US for World War II utilized at least some Berwick armor plate.
• 1 in every 8 armored vehicles produced in the US for World War II was built at ACF Berwick.
• ACF Berwick was the only manufacturer at the time with its own ballistics testing range. Other manufacturers were required to ship their products to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds in Maryland for testing.
• American Car & Foundry, Berwick, PA was selected by Hitler as one of 19 targets for his “Amerika Bomber” Program.

Prior to Pearl Harbor and the US officially entering WWII, most tanks were supplied to Allied Forces as part of the Lend Lease Program. Eventually 10,000 of the 15,224 tanks produced by ACF Berwick were supplied to Allied Forces, including nearly 1700 to Russia, 1000 to China and over 6000 to British Commonwealth Forces. British Commonwealth Forces included Australia, New Zealand, Canada, India, South Africa and East Africa. Additional tanks were supplied through the British to the Free French, Free Poles, Free Yugoslavs and other displaced forces.