80 Abrams clobbered

[bluehand]

the finer details of the article are the more important in my (America Rules) point of view...
"At least five soldiers have been killed inside the tanks when they hit roadside bombs," one marine tank fell off a bridge into the Euphrates in the early days of the war. I believe all members drowned...
"At least 10 more have died while riding partially exposed from open hatches." a dangerous spot any day of the week...
"The casualties are the lowest in any Army vehicles, despite how often the Abrams is targeted "
"about 70% of the more than 1,100 tanks used in Iraq have been struck by enemy fire, mostly with minor damage."
"A favorite tactic: detonating a roadside bomb in hopes of blowing the tread off the tank. The insurgents follow with rocket-propelled grenades, mortars and gunfire aimed at the less-armored areas, especially the vulnerable rear engine compartment." or more often the support teams coming to the rescue...
Overall I would bet it fairs only a little better that a King Tiger... but still given the choice I'd take the King Tiger over any other period tank...
I think of all the modern tanks the M1 is on par with all. Although I have heard good things about the Challenger, as long as it isn't in sand... but its armor is supposed to better. Does anyone know if the Brits deployed them to Iraq? and if so, how have they faired?

Yes, yes I'm gratutiously pro yankee...