M5A1 Stuart

Description
American light tank.

History
Manufactured between 1941 and 1944 by the American Car and Foundry and Cadillac's Car Division.

Usage & Tactics
The American M5A1 Stuart is an excellent, well-rounded light tank armed with a 37mm gun and two .30 Cal machine guns. Unlike the vehicles preceding it in the Support Weapons tab, the Stuart has excellent armor, especially for a light tank. The sloped frontal plate makes the armor extremely stubborn even against medium AT guns, and makes the Stuart an excellent counter to any other light tank or armored car (with the arguable exception of the Sd.Kfz. 234 Puma). Its two machine guns make it equally capable of dispatching infantry.

Offensive Tactics
Along with even minor infantry support, the M5A1 makes a superb mainline assault tank. Its armor is more than enough to negate any and all AT-Rifle fire (from the front!) regardless of range, and its armament makes it suitable for combating nearly any vehicle or emplacement early on. Don't be afraid to play aggressive - direct your fire against lines of enemy infantry from close range to dispatch them quickly, clearing the way for your own troops. Against larger enemy vehicles, flanking is king - utilize the Stuart's good mobility to outflank the opponent (after de-tracking it if possible), and load APCR for best results. Even at close range, the rounds from the vehicle's 37mm gun can threaten enemy medium tanks

Defensive Tactics
Beyond early-game, the vehicle's armor becomes quite useless against higher-caliber enemy equipment. Thus, the Stuart is best used in a more reserved role like other light vehicles. Use it to plug gaps in your defensive lines, and keep it out of the direct line of fire until it is immediately needed. Use flanking maneuvers to eliminate enemy tanks, and use the vehicle's excellent machine gun armament to ward off advancing enemy infantry.