The M3 Stuart was an American light tank of World War II. It was supplied to British and other Commonwealth forces under lend-lease prior to the entry of the US into the war and it was used by US and Allied forces until the end of the war. Stuarts were first used in combat in the North African campaign; about 170 were used by the British forces in Operation Crusader. They were the first American-crewed tanks in World War II to engage the enemy in tank versus tank combat when used in the Philippines in December 1941 against the Japanese.