Tanks changed the face of warfare when they were first introduced during World War I, and their role only became more critical in the years that followed. As World War II began, the U.S. recognized the need for more robust, heavily armored vehicles, which led to the development of the T28 Super Heavy Tank.
While the design showed potential, the project was abruptly canceled before mass production could take place. Only two prototypes were ever constructed. One was damaged during testing and was rendered unusable. The other disappeared for decades, sparking numerous rumors and questions about its fate.
The United States wanted to match the German Army’s powerful tanks
After winning World War II, the United States and its Allies reflected on key lessons about modern warfare and how to stay ahead in future conflicts. One of the biggest challenges during the war was dealing with Germany’s advanced tank tactics, especially along the heavily fortified Siegfried Line, which proved difficult to breach.
To overcome this, the U.S. military started work in 1943 on a new kind of tank—the T28 Super Heavy Tank. It was built to be extremely tough, capable of pushing through enemy defenses while keeping the crew safe inside its heavily armored structure.
The United States begins work on developing prototypes
In March 1944, work began on building five T28 Super Heavy Tanks. Each was armed with a powerful 105mm T5E1 anti-tank gun as its main weapon and a .50-cal Browning heavy machine gun for additional defense. The tank featured exceptionally thick armor, with some sections up to 12 inches thick, making it highly resistant to enemy anti-tank weapons.
However, production faced significant challenges. The T28 was extremely heavy, weighing 95 short tons, which limited its top speed to just 8 miles per hour. Its massive weight also made it difficult to maneuver across different types of terrain.
The T28 Super Heavy Tank wasn’t really needed at all
The T28 Super Heavy Tanks were originally designed to combat the Siegfried Line, as noted earlier. However, by mid-1944, the Allies had launched a significant offensive against the line, successfully breaking through by early 1945.
Plans later shifted to use the T28s in operations on the Japanese mainland, but Japan’s surrender following the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki meant the tanks were never used. Consequently, the US government halted further development. Only two prototypes were ever completed; one sustained extensive damage during testing at Yuma Proving Ground and was eventually sold for scrap.
The remaining T28 Super Heavy Tank was lost for decades
As World War II came to an end and military tactics evolved, the T28 Super Heavy Tank quickly became obsolete. Testing highlighted several problems that would have made it difficult to deploy effectively in combat. As a result, the U.S. military shifted its focus to tanks that were lighter, faster, and more versatile across different terrains.
The T28’s absence on the battlefield during the Korean and Vietnam Wars was noticeable. Its bulky, World War II-era design no longer aligned with the military’s changing requirements and was eventually phased out as strategy and technology advanced.
The T28 Super Heavy Tank was eventually found in the weeds
The military’s concentration on developing new tanks led to the misplacement of the remaining T28 Super Heavy Tank prototype. Remarkably, it wasn’t until 1974, a staggering 27 years after its disappearance, that it was stumbled upon in a field at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Neglected and exposed to the elements for decades, weeds had begun to encroach upon its structure.
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Following its rediscovery, the prototype received significantly better care and reverence. It was relocated to the General George Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Kentucky, where it resided for several years before finding a permanent home at Patton Park in Fort Moore (formerly Fort Benning), Georgia.