Tanks for the Memories

756th Tank Battalion Tank passing French Staff Car

Colorized version by Chas Holman

Colorized version by Chas Holman

“I’d rather dig. A movin’ foxhole attracks th’ eye.” © Bill Mauldin 1945

Infantry sleds pulled by Sherman Tank. This was one of Gen. “Iron Mike” O’ Daniel’s ideas to get his soldiers over mine fields. The tanks had whirling cables to detonate the mines before they hurt the soldiers. Unfortunately, they usually fouled the tracks  on the tanks when they turned, disabling the tank.

These sleds were not popular with the GI’s who had to ride in them. They were sitting ducks for snipers, as well as having the comfort level of a little red wagon, with one wheel missing.

M8 howitzer motor carriage (HMC)

entering Rome June 5, 1944 for the glory of General Mark Clark. While the rest of the world anxiously awaited the Allies crossing the English Channel at Normandy on June 6th, the 3rd Infantry Division entered Rome to a happy citizenry.

Priest Gun Carrier crossing Vulturno River-Italy 1943

A new M36 Tank Destroyer, designed for assaulting German Tiger and Panther tanks, along with hundreds of replacements joined the battered American Third Division at Pont a Mousson, France between the division’s heroic sacrifices in the Colmar Pocket and its crossing into Germany. In its 188 days of battle in France, the Third Division suffered 4,500 casualties.

American soldiers inspect a captured German Sonderkraftfahrzeuge (special vehicle) half-track in Strasbourg. As Christmas 1944 approached, The Third Division was ordered to leave Strasbourg to move south along the eastern edge of the Vosges Mountains towards Colmar.

Kilroy