This M3 Lee Grant is located in the room called "Les Alliés Seconde Guerre mondiale" (The Allies during the Second World War) in the back of the museum.  Combat Vehicle The M3 Lee Grant, or Medium Tank M3, first entered service, like many other U.S. designed vehicles, under the British Army in North Africa where it allowed the Allies to resist German tanks, much to the surprise of Gen. Rommel. As a predecessor to the much more widely used M4 Sherman, the M3's creation was driven by the sheer need of a tank that could begin to stand up to German armored technology. In fact, as soon as the M4 was introduced, the British Army sent all remaining M3's to the Burma and India Theater. Production of the M3 Lee Grant was divided between three American companies; the British model was called the "Grant" while the American model was named "Lee." By early 1944, however, the U.S. decided that the M3 was obsolete and used them for other purpose or simply scrapped them for parts. 

"The M3 series symbolized the rejuvenation of American tank research and development. The fact that the 75 mm M2 (later M3) gun was built into a limited traverse mount in the right sponsoon clearly was influenced by the pre-war design of the French Renault B. From 1942 the M3 were engaged by the British Army in Cyrenaica and Libya and later by the U.S. forces after their landing in North Africa. The 'G.I.' designated the M3 as the 'Lee' and the 'Tommie' as the 'Grant' (with a modified turret). The M3 rugged design and excellent mobility were counterbalanced by a high profile with almost vertical side armour, which presented an inviting target by the opposing Pz.Kpfw. III and IV. The M4 would be designed from the chassis of the M3."