Good reason for strict purchase limits

[Weasel]

There were a total of 432 panthers in Normandy and yes mostly against the UK/Cdn armies with a total production of Panthers around 5000 (not 1000 like I said before). With that said, I read several documents which stated that about half of all tanks encountered were Panthers, so even that means a 50/50 split when buying. BTW - here is an interesting quote on panthers and the bocage:

The commander of the Panzer Lehr Division, Gen. Fritz Bayerlein, reported the weaknesses of the Panther tank in the fighting in Normandy:

While the PzKpfw IV could still be used to advantage, the PzKpfw V [Panther] proved ill adapted to the terrain. The Sherman because of its maneuverability and height was good ... [the Panther was] poorly suited for hedgerow terrain because of its width. Long gun barrel and width of tank reduce maneuverability in village and forest fighting. It is very front-heavy and therefore quickly wears out the front final drives, made of low-grade steel. High silhouette. Very sensitive power-train requiring well-trained drivers. Weak side armor; tank top vulnerable to fighter-bombers. Fuel lines of porous material that allow gasoline fumes to escape into the tank interior causing a grave fire hazard. Absence of vision slits makes defense against close attack impossible

Here is a list of the standard types of tanks found from 1943 (42 for Tiger) onwards with their total build number. Of the 5000 Panthers built, only 432 went to Normandy, a ratio of 8%. Of all Sherman tanks built only 32% were 76mm and of all tanks and TD, only 21% mounted the 76mm or higher.

The one thing to remember is the vast majority of Sherman tanks of all builds went to the Western front, whereas the German tanks were divided among three fronts.