Let's not... (There's more appropriate threads on 2pdr/HE out there somewhere). I think the only conclusion really is that this 'President' is a misconception, and we'll never be sure what they meant. The Priest I thought a nice suggestion (it even contains the same letters), but I'd guess they would describe it for what it is rather than as a tank. Who knows. The intercepted report is what it is I suppose; an initial reaction to an encounter with new enemy vehicles. And interesting in it's own right for that alone.
I won't, I won't, I just won't... I know, I was speaking in general terms http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/weapons-technology-equipment/15751-tank-ammo.html ... There was an HE round for the 2pdr but it was considered ineffective and seems to have been produced in limited numbers. In short, the 2pdr was a very good AP/AT gun for it's (outclassed/overtaken) calibre, but would have been considerably compromised by concentrating on a weak dual purpose role. And... The lack of a suitable HE round for the 2pdr is the reason for the dedicated Close Support (CS) tank ... So there!
Now you've started it - Phylo had more on the issue of HE I believe, but let's keep it off this thread .
In the report they were referring to the General Sherman Tank, and the President Tank. They were probably referring to the Gen./Pres. Grant, but this being an early report it's somewhat vaporous to draw any conclusions leading to contain Bishops, KVs, whatnot. In fact this is no more than an irrelevant curiosity And yes, Phylo was saying more in that thread, rather interesting I'm bound to say. So let's leave this thread alone
I'm with Smudger Jnr and say 'Grant'. Two term president and great general. "Tough day. Lick em tomorrow" The Determination of Grant at Shiloh - Ulysses S Grant National Historic Site (U.S. National Park Service)