The Medium Tank M3 was an American tank used during World War II. In Britain the tank was called "General Lee", named after General Robert E. Lee, and its modified version built to British specification, with a new turret, was called "General Grant", named after General Ulysses S. Grant. As a rush job intended to be brought from design to production in a short period, the M3 was well-armed and - armored for the period, but due to various shortcomings (high silhouette, archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, below average off-road performance) it was not competitive and was withdrawn from front line duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers