U.S. Army Armor Crewman of WWII:
Captain, 6th Cavalry, ‘Dragoons’:
The US. Cavalry was always used as a quick reaction or assault force, for keeping an eye on the infantry division’s flakes and reconnoitering in the process., sometimes becoming raiders, the early days were no easy life. The Term Cavalry still is in use today, pertaining to the particular mobility of the helicopter it has been applied to the 'Air Assault Teams as well as various Armored Forces (Tank) and Mechanized infantry organizations (Ground Forces), for hit-and-run and pile-on tactics, really for the same reason the horse cavalry carried the name.
Officially documented as the 2nd US Cavalry in August 1861, then in July 1942, it then became the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized), and in 1943; then became 2nd Cavalry Group (Mechanized) in December 1943, till July 1946, I assume this is where this uniform come is...I think.
The regiment had been organized in May of 1861 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The Regiment's designation was soon changed to the 6th U.S. Cavalry in August 1861 because of a reorganization of US Cavalry regiments at that time, a Regiment of Mounted Rifles took on the name of the 3rd Cavalry for the record.
They fought during the Gettysburg Campaign, and then again at the Battle of Fairfield in 1863... then the Battle of Todd's Tavern and a battle of Yellow Tavern where J. E. B. Stuart was killed. There was the Battle of Trevilian Station, the Battle of Berryville, the Battle of Opequon, and the Battle of Cedar Creek too. On 30 March 1865, the next event became known as the Battle of Dinwiddie Court House, 1 April 1865, at the Battle of Five Forks, in pursuit of the fleeing enemy they were involved in the incident at Sailor's Creek.
Ended with the war with the Battle of Appomattox Courthouse on 9 April 1865, where they were met with the white flag of surrender. Following the Civil War, the Indian Wars soon followed, and they would participate there too at such places as the Red River War, the War against the Apache Indian Warriors, Ghost Dance War, Johnson County War, and Spanish- American War, where they fought on foot, leaving their horses behind. They made a presence during the Boxer Rebellion in China and went to help quell the Philippine Insurrection. They went after Poncho Villa in Mexico and would see action in World War I, Then came WWII and they would serve part of the time under George S. Patton Jr.
The 6th Cavalry, as part of George S. Patton's Third Army during World War II, had one of the most outstanding combat records to be recorded during the conflict, at a time when the horse was phased out of the military, the mission of the cavalry had not changed, but their ride had become obsolete-and they became motorized. In October 1943 the group boarded the Ocean Liner Queen Elizabeth and sailed for Northern Ireland. In January 1944, the 6th Cavalry Regiment was disbanded during a reorganization of the Army's Operations. There then became the 6th Cavalry Group and it was assigned to the XV Corps while in the British Isles. This unit spent the early part of 1944 in learning, small unit operations, and special combat training. Then in July of 1944, crossed the English Channel and landed at Utah Beach near Sainte-Mare-Eglise, in France. An early version of the 6th Cavalry Regiment patch (later turned yellow hose with blue backing). It is rare to see brown inlay details like this, possibly theater-made.
Throughout the latter part of World War II, the Sixth was part of most of the major campaigns, some of which included "Task Force Polk," and in the Ardennes, and Hitler debacle called the Battle of the Bulge, the last resort- mission impossible scenario- that was doomed to failure, at the cost of his reserves and many unnecessary losses of life for both sides.
This uniform represents one of the old-school Cavalry Officers, who has moved on to the light reconnaissance vehicle wearily, Clinging to the Cavalry's Historical Operations. Not unlike his commander of the Third Army. They would screen the corps in the Bastogne area, fight at the Our River, and get involved with the breaching of the Siegfried Line, and then the crossing of the Rhine River that was a long time in coming, and then the envelopment of the German Forces, to force an end to hostilities in Europe. It didn't end there, and the Sixth Regiment was charged with theft mopping up enemy forces, in their mass retreat, to its final battle with the capture of Adolf & Markneukirchen.
As "Patton's Household Cavalry", the regiment was tasked with observing the advances of the Third Army's troops, reporting its observations directly back to Third Army headquarters, improving General Patton's situational awareness. Very much like the British GHQ Liaison Regiment did. The US. Armies, Sixth Cavalry Regiment Was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army), for its valor during World War II, and had done everything that had been asked of them. Following the End of the Second World War, on 20 December 1948, the former '6th Cavalry Regiment' was again reorganized, and then redesignated as the '6th Armored Cavalry'.
This is a light, Summer-like uniform, called Khaki, with breeches I do have the riding boost to go with it.
1st Lieutenant, Early Armor Formation, Winter Blouse.
This uniform represents the early period of the Armored-Forces, which had a hard start, like the Air Force of the time, they did not want to change things, spend money, or have to learn new tactics…Infantry and Cavalry had been around a long time, and change wasn’t won’t amongst the higher command, luckily some bit off on the new concept, and began working them into maneuvers and training, and as we know now tech is wonderful, but that said, now a 60 million dollar jet can be taken out with a $200.00 drone.
Even the Tank, may be getting long in the tooth when a handheld rocket fired by an infantryman can take one apart. It’s about training and tactics, and George Patton and some others saw the potential for the tank not just for infantry support, but leading the way as a spearhead vehicle. They did training and studying the potential of such Armored Vehicles, but they didn’t get a lot before the war came once again.
2nd Lieutenant, 759th Armored Battalion, English Made ‘IKE’ Jacket:
This is another interesting piece, as it represents the time when the 759th Armored was stationed in England and before they shipped out to France. An English-made item; we think it has the characteristics of the English battle blouse the 'IKE' jackets were copied from.
A tanker officer, in a field shirt, the uniform’s oddities may have been looked over, again his rank insignia is carried on his cap only. The 759th Tank Battalion (Light) was activated in June 1941 as a light tank battalion, equipped with M-2, combat reconnaissance vehicles, and the M-3 Stuart light tanks, and sent to Iceland as part of the garrison force in mid-1942. After a year it moved to the United Kingdom, in mid-1943, and landed in Normandy on D+10, 16 June 1944.
It was attached to the 2nd Infantry Division doing operations in the St-Lo area. The 2nd Division moved on to Brest at this point the 759th battalion got assigned to the 4th Cavalry Group, with this outfit it would continue to fight till the end of the war. and hostility was over.
Chasing the Germans across France, they crossed the Seine north of Paris in late August, now serving with the VII Corps command, they would cross the Meuse River, and enter Germany on 13 September. Then they got caught up in the Ardennes offensive, the Germans 'Wacht in Rhine' operation to cut across Belgium. The unit was the first to receive the new M-24 Chaffee tank. but the new silhouette and suspension system worried many that they would be mistaken for the enemy and fired on by mistake. They ended up having entrenched positions along the Rhine in March.
They continued through several small towns and villages, fighting contentious small firefights until it got to Aschersleben where the war came to an end. The patch in this case as far I know was a shoulder patch and not regularly used on the jacket’s left breast.
For instance, the Engine was originally an Aircraft radial engine! and thought powerful enough, something less than a perfect solution for a tank, they were passed out and inline-block Chrysler engines were used- and they proved a good match, but other variants had the multibank Ford Engine and Caterpillar proved a variant too... The Germans knocked out many, and these provided a huge inventory of spare parts for the rebuilding and maintenance crews, a messy job often, they did magnificent work with what they had, the tank being built around the car-mentality of mass production they were fairly easy to keep going, and turrets and running gears could be removed and changed out in pretty quick order....does not even compare to the difficulties of the German maintenance folks nightmares.
The uniform was much used in the evenings or whenever not directly working with his vehicle, on and off base, this was the look, with a shirt and tie, and matching trousers. A rougher look than the American-made jackets, we must remember England had been at war for over two years at this point, the standard had dropped a bit, and materials were in high demand.
The Tanks used in the Division also included the 76mm versions of the Sherman in the later stages of the campaign of France and into Germany, along with the 3" M10 Tanks Destroyers, and M-18 I should k, as well as the M24 taking the place of the M3's used with Cavalry regiments, and alongside the M7 Priests of the mobile Artillery units.
As mentioned before, he would have had matching trousers and a khaki shirt with a tie. I think they would have been brown shoes but could have been black-as that may have been what was available. I think the overseas cap here in this case is more cut to English cut than the US. but one used what one could get. And in all, not a bad-looking uniform, just looks like an English Soldier.
1st Armored Corps, 2nd Lieutenant, “Mechanized” Dress Uniform:
This officer wears the famous 'Pinks and Greens' uniform. This officer is from the 1st Armored Division, He is a Second Lieutenant. Obviously, this was his dress uniform and used as so, it could be used as a base or walking-out type uniform, for off-base, or for an event or ceremony, but not seen on the battlefield.
By mid-July 1940 the 1st Armored Division was at Fort Knox, Kentucky Getting developed and involved in Training. They were experimenting with a theory of a self-supporting, self-sustaining force Attack Force made up of people who could make that happen. And they did! With Fire Support from Artillery, and (Anti-Tank Guns) Tank destroyers even infantry!
There was a medical backup, with their own supply and engineer battalions, all working around their tanks, M2 medium tanks all nine of them, Fitted with a 37-millimeter gun in the turret, and a bunch of Machine Guns. up in tell until March of 1941. They had their Mechanics too, and they needed them with the daily maintenance, They had some M2 Scout Cars and Light Experimental tanks, and far behind the Germans in Armor Operations at this point, they had mastered the Blitzkrieg Plan.
Many of the Soldiers attended the Armored Force School at Fort Knox, where they had learned how to use the AT guns, and Half-track Personnel Carried alongside their Tanks in unison in combined arms movement.
Then in September 1941, they would participate in large-scale maneuvers in Louisiana for three months. They then moved to Fort Jackson on 30 October 1941 to participate in the First Army Carolina Maneuvers. The 1st AD returned to Fort Knox on 7 December 1941 And then prepared for deployment overseas. The training ramped up quickly. Soon they reorganized and the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion was attached to the division.
Not a super elaborate ribbon bar, but this was typical, especially back in the day when there weren’t that many medals, and these medals did not get given out in mass, and often it seems that the bars are missing some of the standard ones often given, some did not get them till well after the war, others never received them. Achievement and Good Conduct type medals were not recognized till after the war. The one that matters to him though-is the CIB above them.
The division then deployed to Northern Ireland in May 1942. They continued with their training for months, till there was nothing else they could teach them. They had trained on the moors until they moved on to England on 29 October 1942.
The division was now commanded by Major General Orlando Ward. Combat Command "B", Was put on the ready list, along with about one-half of the division's troops, They knew they were about to be sent somewhere...
Fully alerted to an imminent invasion, The 1st Battalion of the 1st Armored Regiment, and 1st and 2nd Battalions of the 13th Armored Regiment, Most elements of the 6th Armored Infantry Regiment, and the 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion, Companies "B" and "C" of the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion, and part of the Armored Engineer Battalion, the Supply Battalion, the Maintenance Battalion, 47th Armored Medical Battalion, and the 141st Signal Company All were prepared to re-deploy quickly.
The 1st Armored Division moved to Fort Dix on 11 April 1942 and awaited their deployment orders to go overseas. The Division would then travel aboard the RMS Queen Mary from New York, on 11 May 1942.
And then they went to war - in the Allied invasion of Northwest Africa, it was called Operation Torch, and it came on on 8 November 1942. Part of the Division disembarked with the Northern Task Force. Becoming the first American armored division to see combat in World War II. Combat Command B (CCB) landed on either side of Oran, commanded by Brigadier General Lunsford E. Oliver, driving into the city on 10 November 1942.
At the end of November 1942, CCB left Tafraoui, Algeria, and moved to Bedja, Tunisia, then raided the Djedeida airfield the next day, taking the city on 28 November 1942. They would fight on threw Tebourba end of 1942, Fight on to El Guessa Heights, they would move on to fight at Faid Pass, on 30 January 1943, and on to Sidi Bou Zid, where they received heavy losses in February 1943 but fought on to Djebel Lessouda, Djebel Kasaira, and Garet Hadid.
Combat Command C (CCC), formed on 23 January 1943, raided Sened Station, At the end of January, they would fight at Sbeita and again at Sidi Bou Zid, and in February 1943, fight back and forth at Tebessa. On to Maknassy in March 1943, then fought at Djebel Naemia. Next was Gabs from the end of March to 1 April 1943. They followed the withdrawing Germans in early April of 1943 and onto Mateur then Hill 315 and Hill 299 at the beginning of May 1943. The division, now commanded by Major General Ernest N. Harmon, would fight at Djebel Achel in early May 1943, entering Ferry Ville on 7 May 1943. The Germans and Italians surrendered by mid-May 1943. The 1sy Armored Division would reorganize in French Morocco moving into Naples, Italy on 28 October 1943.
With the Sicilian Campaign over, the 1st Armored Division, now part of the Fifth Army, invaded Italy itself. They would fight at the Winter Line, in November 1943, flanking the Enemy at Anzio, went through Rome, and chased the retreating enemy, in mid-July 1944. Then General Harmon was replaced by Major General Vernon Prichard, who commanded the 1st AD through the rest of the war. The division was reorganized right away, learning from the North Africa Campaign.
Eliminating the armored and infantry regiments and making them into three separate tank and infantry battalions they also disbanded the Supply Battalion, cutting their size way down. Then the division went to the Po Valley, fighting until the Surrender on 2 May 1945. In June, the division moved to Germany as part of the occupation forces. The Division had captured some 108,740 prisoners. Its soldiers had 722 Silver Stars and 908 Bronze Stars were awarded. They received 5,478 Purple Hearts. Two were awarded the Medal of Honor.
Sergeant, 2nd Armored Division, “IKE" Jacket”:
The IKE jacket represents a time, now it is coming back-I think kind of silly like, and that they were popular, and maybe if the Army had its shit together, never changed it, it's all about funding I suppose, and honor off WWII vets, to get it back not the real reason...but that is politics, it did represent the US. Army of 1943-45.
Pretty much all Army and some Marines used them in the 'Barracks Dress' role, the Armored units were no exception, and this is a good example of what was worn back in England and worn back to the USA. Getting back to the uniform and its time, most of my uniforms like this in the collection are put together from this period just before the war ended or what they looked like for a few years afterward.
This soldier appears to have been one of the Infantrymen supporting the Armor of the Division, at a time of R and R, Medical leave may be on base for the rebuilding of the Division, or after the war altogether.
Note: It may be that the CIB did not belong on this uniform, as tankers and 'Armor' is not 'infantry' and so they are not eligible for them I don't believe, albeit they do serve alongside them 9 times pot of 10., food for thought, and we could speculate all over, and there may be many reasons to, for so much time in ground combat.
The jacket was worn for a few years, well, even into the Korean War period, though decorated in a Post-War fashion though it is an earlier cut and makes. The Collar DUI, I believe started being seen near the end of WWII and went from there to be moved to the shoulder straps. Sometimes the larger unit DUIs were in one location, and the latter in the other, and may have been seen during the process of adopting the DUIs altogether and figuring out what looked best, I guess.
The Enlisted Brass Discs were unlined with the DUIs, not with the sides. The disc does show 'Armored', not the Halftrack-Mech badge, but there could be different reasons for this, being directly assigned to an Armored Element.
His 'Stripes' are in the light khaki type- that was originally meant for the khaki-summer uniforms, but quite often found their way onto the Olive jackets as well and vice-versa.
Under his Combat Infantryman's Badge, he wears on his ribbon’s bars, a Purple Heart, The American Defense Service Medal, the American Campaign Medal, European-Africa-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and the National Defense Medal, so looks like this may have been while on Occupational Duty.
Note: While his uniform carries the (CIB) his marksmanship badge, shows the .30-caliber machine gun, and Tank Weapons bars on it as well as a rifle. So, he is a full-fledged tanker- and a gunner.
The Forager seen here was assigned to him by Belgium's leaders, and not everyone received them but were common nonetheless, it was unit-by-unit involvement.
The mixture of insignia and distinctive colors of several arms incorporated in the Armored Force symbolize integrity and esprit. It is an interlocked ornament, found in Nordic monuments, composed of three torques: red for Artillery; blue for Infantry; and yellow for Cavalry. The symbols represent the characteristics of Armored Divisions; the tank track, mobility, and armor protection; the cannon, firepower; and the red bolt of lightning, shock action. The lower left cuff has his hash marks on it, showing a year and a half of batting, not necessarily all in the same place, at least 2 Enlistments (approx. 6 years), but very well could be on his third, though 1/2 tours are not used.
Often you see a tab on the bottom and the English Battle Jackets hat it, but to be different early on the extension on the bottom with a snap or button would be seen a lot, later on. Like his lapels, his overseas cap had had the 2nd Armored Division crest (DUI) applied to it, and it too carried the 'Armored' piping on the trim, so, ya, it would appear to me, that he may have started as an Infantrymen and moved over to the Armored Section, It could have happened he requested it? or assigned for some other reason he can shoot well, however, his rank puts him in a command ability as well, and how he likely ended the war.
To try and give you an idea of how many elements there were in the division, at one point or another there was assigned to the 2nd AD. were the Tank Destroyers of the 702d TD Bn and the 702d TD Bn. In 1944, Co A 814th TD Bn., (in 44), then the 702d TD Bn. Sept. into May 1945). For the Actual Armed Units: The was the Armored Sq. B Br 1st Fife & Forfar Yeo (Br 79th Armd. Div.) late in 1944, and the 40th Tk. Bn. (from the 7th Armd Div) 23 Nov 1944 - 24 Nov 1944. also, the Sq. B Br. 1st Fife. & Forfar. Yeo (Br 79th Armd Div) Christmas 1944 - 18 Jan 1945, the
Elm. 738th Tank Bn. (Mine-Exploders) for a week in Jan 1945, and Co. A 739th Tk. Bn. 27 Feb. and Mar. 1945. And there was Cavalry too, the 24th CAV. RCN. Sq. in Jul 1944, the 113th Cav. RCN. SQ.in Aug 1944, with the 1st Platoon 30th Rcn. Tr. (30th Div.) in August 1944, then the 4th Cav. Gp. in December of 1944.
There were also many other elements that had made up the Division, like Engineers of Co. B 327th Engr. C Bn. (102d Div) mid-November, 1944, and Co. B 105th Engr C Bn. (30th Div.) to mid-April of 1945. The was Field Artillery, made up of the 65th Armd. FA Bn. 3 July of 1944, 65th Armd. FA Bn. mid-July 1944 to the end of September 1944. and 62d Armd. FA Bn. end of July to end of September 1944. the 258th FA. Bn. (155 Gun) in August 1944. and 258th FA. Bn. (155 Guns also) in October 1944, there was the 65th Armd. FA. Bn. 5 Oct 1944 - 21 Dec 1944, 62d Armd. FA. Bn. October of 1944, the 70th FA Bn (105 How) October into November 1944, the 557th FA. Bn. (155 Gun) 30 Oct-Nov. 1944, 83d Armd. FA Bn. in Nov 1944
380th FA Bn (102d Div) (105 How) 17 November 1944, 957th FA. Bn. (155 How) December 1944, 87th Armd. FA Bn. 22 Dec. 1944 to Jan. 1945, 65th Armd. FA Bn. 5 Feb and March of 1945, 696th Armd. FA. Bn. 6 Feb and Ma.r 1945, 258th FA. Gp. 26 Feb - Mar. 1945, 696th Armd. FA. Bn. in Mar. - April 1945, 258th FA. Bn. (155 Gun) Mar - April 1945, 65th Armd. FA. Bn. Mar 1945 - 19 Apr 1945 113th FA. Bn. (30th Div.) (155 How) in April 1945 197th FA. Bn. (30th Div.) (105 How.) April 1945, and then of course the Infantry elements! Like the 22d CT. (4th Div.) Jul - Aug 1944
44th FA Bn. (4th Div.) (105 How) Jul - Aug. 1944, 1st Platoon Co. C 4th Engr. C Bn. (4th Div.) Jul- Aug. 1944, 2d Bn. 119th Inf. (30th Div.) in August of 1944,
3d Bn. 119th Inf. (30th Div.) August 1944,3rd Bn. 120th Inf (30th Div) August 1944, 3d Bn. 8th Inf. (4th Div.) August of 1944, the 99th Inf. Bn. (Non-Div) Aug - Sep. 1944, 3d Bn 116th Inf (29th Div) Oct 1944, 2nd Bn. 116th Inf. (29th Div.) Oct .1944, the 405th Inf (102d Div.) Oct - Nov. 1944,1st Bn. 405th Inf. (102d Div.) Nov. 1944, 406th Inf. (-1st Bn.) (102d Div.) 6 Nov. 1944,1st Bn .406th Inf. (102d Div.) in Nov. 1944, 2d Bn. 119th Inf. (30th Div.) Nov 1944, 335th CT. (84th Div.) Nov. 1944, 1st Bn. 119th Inf. (30th Div.) Nov -- Dec. 1944, 60th CT. (9th Div.) Dec. 1944, 2d Bn 291st Inf. (75th Div.) Dec. 1944, 1st 2d & 3d BN’s. 335th Inf. (84th Div) 1 in Jan. 1945. also, the 335th Inf. (84th Div) had joined in through January of 1945, as well as the 1st & 2d BNs. 333d Inf. (84th Div.) in Jan. 1945, 3d Bn. 333d Inf. (84th Div.) Jan. 1945, 331st Inf. (83d Div.) Feb - Mar. 1945, 908th FA Bn. (83d Div.) (105 How) Feb - Mar. 1945, Co. C 308th Engr C Bn. Feb - March of 1945, with 379th Inf. (95th Div.) March 1945,
377th Inf. (95th Div.) 29 March through April 1945, 119th Inf. (30th Div.) during April of 1945.....you get the picture, and I'm not repeating it.
Ordinance-2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Armored Division, Khaki Dress 1940s-50s, Khaki Dress:
This uniform is referred to as the Summer Dress Jacket, it was used in places that were hot often enough, in Tropical and Desert situations.....then just called 'Pinks' officially I think it was recognized as a light khaki, This too would be an officer, and I haven't seen many NCO's or Enlisted with them, I think there was an issue for lower ranks, But you see similar in WWII with the Navy and Marines using them....still rare, I think for special situations.
A 'Summer' or Hot Weather Uniform' and it an interesting piece of this jacket id the green (Leadership) loops on his shoulder-boards, not often used, and may push this uniform into the Post War Occupational Duty and the Cold War.
I’d like to say that the uniform represents the 2nd Armored Division in the North African Campaign when they were part of the 'Western Task Force' of 'Operation Torch', which landed at Casablanca on 8 November 1942., but the jacket would only have been used in a secure place-it is not a battle uniform, so maybe while they were on a garrison in French North Africa where they had continued in their training.
April 1943 Major General Harmon relinquished command of the division to Major General Hugh Joseph Gaffe. Training in amphibious operations began in preparation for an amphibious landing at Sicily. Western Task Force of Operation Husky, the codename for the Allied invasion of Sicily, the division landed on 10 July 1943 in support of the 1st Infantry Division at the Battle of Gela.
Next, they fought in the second landing at Licata, Sicily on 21 July following the 3rd Infantry Division's better-known earlier landing on 10 July.
It would not have been likely seen at the time of the Normandy invasion, though in June, it was not a 'Hot' or Tropical time. Nor was it even likely used through drive-throughs in France, Belgium, or the Siegfried Line. Then crossed the Rhine on 27 March 1945, Ending the War in Germany, After the Fall of Germany they got to drive through Berlin and set up camp, but these were still chilly times- and not a proper setting for this uniform, so hence my thoughts of the Early Post War item, it came as a jacket only.
The only available cap I had, and that fit with this uniform is this khaki overseas cap. and is period correct too.
The 2nd AMD. Div. was not long on occupation duty, and soon they were sent home to Fort Hood, in Texas. Not all the personnel were 'Mechanized Infantrymen', and the support people who kept the Armor moving forward as they were designed to work with each other.
The Reformed and received many fresh replacements there (Where this jacket might fit in on state-side duty). The 2nd Armored Division did return to (then - West Germany) attached to the 7th Army from 1951 to 1957, The logger ‘ed-in at Stuttgart-Vaihingen, uniform possibly made it here, the jackets were seen into the mid-‘50s about when the Division was again brought back home to III Corps, Fort Hood. This uniform is from an officer with the Ordnance Group, as he would have appeared early on while in the Mediterranean, or State Side in the Summer.
On the uniforms’ shoulder straps, are “DUIs” These represent the individual Battalions, or generally Regiment assignment, I have not been able to Identify them though yet, He is an Ordanace Officer, so possibly a specific Ordanace Battalion. More on this another time I guess.
Corporal, 2nd Armored Coveralls (Set #1):
The 2nd Armored was formed at Fort Benning, Georgia on 15 July 1940. It was originally commanded by Major General Charles L. Scott, with Colonel George S. Patton in charge of training. Scott was promoted to command the 1st Army Corps in November of that year, which put George Patton in the position, of now a Brigadier General. The Divisiould serve with the 1st, Seventh, and 9th Armies.
The Second Armored was organized as a ‘Heavy’ Armored Division, having two armored regiments of four medium tanks (M-4 Shermans) and two light tank battalions (M-3 Stuarts) of 3 companies each. Along with the Third Armored Division, it retained its strength throughout the war. the 14 other divisions were designated ‘Light’ Armored divisions having three tank battalions, each consisting of 3 medium tank companies and one light tank company. Both types had an infantry component, of three mechanized battalions, although the heavy division maintained an ‘Armored Infantry Regiment’ organization.
Note: I’ve dropped in with the overalls, and pictures of the ‘Light Tanks’, M3 that morphed into the M5 by the end of the war, they were really too lightly gunned (using a 37mm as the main gun), and the idea going back to WWI for a light mobile vehicle that could support infantry and be used for reconnaissance work as well, a Cavalry Tank if you will, or the origins of what now I assume would be done with Bradly Vehicles, but then some would prefer a dune buggy! The ‘Stuarts’ (M3/M5) were being replaced by the M24, the torsion-bar style suspension tank was smooth, and fast, and they had an early Sherman 75mm, I’m sure they were welcomed. The M24 came on the Battlefield in 1945 but was put on the back burners in the post-war, soon enough pulled from stock storage depots, and used in the Korean Conflict from 1950 to 1953, and then back into storage, some found their way to South America and other places.
Corporal, 2nd Armored Division, Mechanics Coveralls (Set #2):
One of the first divisions into combat took place in North Africa and then supported the 1st Infantry Division in the invasion of Sicily. They were then shipped out, back to England as was the 1st Infantry. Their next objective was Normandy, France landing their D-Day+3 (9th of June), they fought like hell, and by the 18th of September were crossing the border into Germany itself.
Patton was in full command of the 2nd Armored Division before their entry back into the United States before the entrance into WWII. The 2nd Armored Division was stationed at Fort Benning, Georgia until their commander was ordered to the newly built training center in Indio, California by the chief of the armored force Major General Jacob L. Devers.
Then they reversed their course and fought back to Belgium, bringing all to bear on the German’s final operation, and then chasing them back to the border, and crossing it, the first American forces to make it into Berlin in July of 1945, after V-E Day. Patton was then chosen to be the commander of the newly activated 1st Army Corps by Major General Devers. Patton stayed in command until Operation Torch, the invasion of North Africa. Patton believed that the Japanese were going to invade Mexico in a prelude to striking north into California. For three days Patton had his troops on high alert at the tip of the Gulf of California. The Japanese Fleet eventually landed on Kiska Island in the Aleutians, on June 6, 1942, The Americans had known they were on the move, and it surprised them when they assaulted the Alaska Territories, but they had been preparing there too, and after all, was just a faint, to move out attention there.
He could be on any of the various tanks the 2nd used through the war, he has chosen to add the 2nd armor patch to his pocket and stripes to his sleeve. It was a tradition of the 2nd Armored to move the patch to the pocket and it remained so till the 2nd Armored Division stood down in 1990. The standard-issue uniform shirt with tie would have been worn, as a crew helmet or side cap went with it. Sometimes with other gear when it got cold, or less in the Summer. The pictures show one tanked ‘Rain Hood’ to wear over the helmet, it was often worn underneath either the Tankers Crash Helmet or M1 Infantry Helmet. There is one type of Tanker helmet with this uniform.
Master Sergeant, 2nd Armored, Mechanized Infantry Element:
Not wanting to repeat the “Hell on Wheels” Story, the 2nd Armored Division was one of the big players in WWII Europe, Involved in such operations as in North Africa, and Sicily and in the liberation of France, Belgium, and the Netherlands, and the invasion of Germany.
3rd AMD.DIV. Tanker in Tankers jacket.
Technical Sergeant, 3rd Armored Coveralls:
The 3rd Armored Division became the "Spearhead Division", A new concept to the Army of 1941, Spearhead was often referred to as the "Third Herd," the division was first activated in 1941.
The 3rd Armored Division was designated as a "heavy" armored division, meaning there would be more emphasis on the Mechanized portion of the division, Tanks, Halftracks, something like the thought the German Panzer Divisions would be like, the German propaganda was good, and the Americans would try to make their Armored Divisions more effective than the Germans....and they did.
Along with the 2nd Armored Division "Hell on Wheels," they would wreak havoc on the Germans. Sometime later in World War II, higher-numbered U.S. armored divisions were down-sized, using a higher ratio of armored infantry to tanks, the lessons for North Africa had been considered, and alterations were made. That said-any large force using tanks coming against you is decisive.
The 3rd Armored "Heavy Division" was made up of two armored regiments containing a total of four medium tank battalions with two light tank battalions (that's 18 companies), the other Armored Divisions, had three tank battalions with light and medium tanks had 12 companies. basically, 232 medium tanks compared to about 168 in a standard light armored division and about 16,000+ men, compared to 12,000.
The main core elements of the 3rd Armored Division were compiled of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiment, the 32nd Armored Regiment, the 33rd Armor Regiment, the 23rd Armored Engineer Battalion, the 83rd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and the 143rd Armored Signal Company.
They would become 'Combat Commands' A, B, and R would be the (Reserve). But that's not even half of it there were many smaller units that participated with the division and many that had temporary assignments with it.
Show another example of the tankers Hood'. I have 3, and they’re different from each other 1 large, thick, and insulated with wool, another with fur, and one to fit over the helmet-that doesn't fit over and is just really bizarre. These are the first two, I have seen in blue for the Navy for foul winter weather.
Note: Here the air-cooled Continental made, officially the Wright-designed R975 Whirlwind, a 9-cylinder radial engine that ran on gasoline. They found their home as the power plants for the early M4 and M4A1 model vehicles, and they produced some 350 and 400 horsepower (260 or 300 kW) later versions.
Note #2: The M4A2 model received a pair of liquid-cooled GMC 671 '(Jimmy's) two-stroke inline engines. These Engines produced a total of 375 horsepower (280 kW), and Cadillac also produced similar engines, but I believe they made their way into the M5 light tanks.
Note #3: The Marine Corps was given diesel engine-powered M4A2 then the gasoline-powered M4A3 in the Pacific. the mix was not good for supplies- but they went in by different campaigns, and rarely came back. However, the Chief of the Army's Armored Force, Lt. Gen. Jacob L. Devers, ordered that no diesel-engine Sherman be used by the Army outside the Zone of Interior (the continental U.S.). The Army trained with all of them and tested them, but they slated the M4A2s and M4A4 (with the A57 Multibank engine) for the Lend-Lease exports.
Note #4: The M4A3 used the liquid-cooled 450 hp (340 kW) Ford GAA V8 gasoline engine. After the war, people, would take these, and take apart multi-bank engines and use them in their hot rod, tremendous torque, but the tall heavy engines limited it to strait line racing! hence Americans got hooked on drag racing, and Hot Rod, the Sportscar went back to the Europeans, where the idea was to add lightness.
Note #5: The M4A4 used the liquid-cooled 370 horsepower (280 kW) 30-cylinder Chrysler A57 multibank gasoline engine. There were also two diesel engine variants. You can see that the bulk of Sherman's weight was in its powerplant, while by the time they got into the war, the armor was thin, compared to what would have been preferred, there is always a limit, and speed is a bonus.
Note #6: The M4A6 used an RD-1820 (a redesigned Caterpillar D-200A air-cooled radial diesel engine, adapted from Wright Aeronautical's Cyclone 9 nine-cylinder radial aircraft engine. that produced 450 horsepower (340 kW). The M4A6 is identifiable by a bulge in the engine deck behind the turret, not visible here.
Note #7: M4A4 used the liquid-cooled 370 horsepower (280 kW) 30-cylinder Chrysler A57 multibank gasoline engine. There were also two different diesel engine variants. they produced a total of 375 horsepower (280 kW), Now we've talked about the US. use of the tank, but the British and Canadians got theirs too, and modified them to their needs and radios, generally consisting of storage or/and radio box added to the turret bustle, they also used tool boxes added to the back or bow of the tank, but really the same tanks, using the Mark - method of ID'ing them Mk II, III, IV, V and the like, if a 'C' was added it had the 17 pounder gun installed in the tiny turret.
The Medium Tank M4 :
Note: The term "M4" can refer specifically to the initial sub-type with its Continental radial engine, here a Radial engine is quickly removed from an M4 tank out in the field.... the Americans had this down like no other country, it was all designed for simplicity and quick manufacturing. The Russians went to great lengths to make the T34 simple to build with very little in the way of the crew’s comfort-just getting them out there. If you look at the number of T-34 (76) Tanks, it almost seems there are no two alike!
The M4 went through many different changes and was upgraded continuously, they had 9-cylinder aircraft engines on the early tanks, but this did not make the USAAF and Navy very happy, and it was really never the right engine for a tank, the Ford, GM, Caterpillar, and Detroit Diesel, and in V-8, W, and multibank designs. All got into Sherman's as well and were not swappable although some think so, they are actually a bit different in upper and lower hull and transmission housings.
The M4 was not a perfect tank, wasn't meant to be, it was meant to be mass-produced, a fairly decant infantry heavy weapons support vehicle, made to liberty ships were in part made to move vehicles like this in mass, and landing ships to move them onto invasion beaches- it was a part of the big plan, just a part of the bigger plan, like the soldier’s uniforms, web gear, and packs, the country had geared up like never before.
The 3-piece transmission cover, optics, cupola, and front hatches, turret changer, gun stabilization, suspicion parts, wheels, applique armor on the sides and to beef up the right turret cheek-where the stabilizer went. it was constant and often done in the field.
A total of 6748 M4s (from July 1942 to January 1944) were produced, also 1641 of the late variant were equipped with a 105 mm (4.13 in) howitzer for infantry support, the M4 (105). some later models had a mixed cast/rolled hull.
Now the Medium Tank M4 was developed to work in conjunction with the Infantry, and Mechanized Infantry, and together they pretty well, either by themselves, would be far less effective, and they had to support each other, the infantry keeping the enemy's infantry off and away from the tank, and the tank taking out strong points holding up advances, and bunkers, and obviously to address enemy Tank threats as well.
M4s were made at the Pressed Steel Car Company, Baldwin Locomotive Works, American Locomotive Co., Pullman-Standard Car Company, and Detroit Tank Arsenal made 6,748 till 1944, the M4(105) were about 800 made at Detroit Tank Arsenal, the M4(105) HVSS was produced at Detroit Tank Arsenal with 841 made, and the M4A1's were from the Lima Locomotive Works and Pressed Steel Car Company, and the Pacific Car and Foundry Company with about 6,281 made.
As for the “Sherman” itself and what that simply, means, is for WWII alone what was many variants, and by the end of the war, it was a completely different vehicle. Is I understand it, just breaking down to the basic types, there was the M4 designed as (Welded hull, and the single-cast type upper hull and weld and the same welded lower hull) the Cast-hull originally had teeny small crew hatches on the forward end, that when the 76mm gunned turret came out, with large front hatches as well as the 2 hatches on top of the turret, becoming the M4A1, then there was the M4A2’s they where up-armored special lead or “JUMBO” assault tanks, and when they changed the angle on the front hull’s glacis plate making the inside bigger-and providing the front crew hatches as the M4A1. They became the M4A3s, there were some, that were left to the Pacific Theater, or to be used and shipped out lend-lease to England, France, and the Soviet Union, many of these were the shorter-lived ‘Sherman’ variants, and then modified by those who received them, the M4A4’s and (M4 ‘Grizzlies’ built by the Canadain’s). There were 75mm, 76mm, and 105mm weapon versions of most, even the 17 Pounder Gun, for some English rebuilt and modified ‘Fireflys’, and then the suspension system changed from HVSS to the VVSS anyways you get the just of it here there were at least 5 types of tanks we call the '“Sherman”. Then came Korea, and the sell-off of the survivors all over the world.
As well as the US Forces using the Sherman Tank, also the English, Canadians, and French used them with Lend Lease, a give me it no I'll pay ya sometime deal, also in large, was the Russians and Poles, there were some given to the Chinese early on as well. Many Countries acquired them during the Cold War, like South America, Argentina, Japan Israel, and Pakistan. While the rest of the world filled the ranks with the T34s and ‘IS’ Tanks, the Poles got both! They used the Shermans (operating with the British), and those fighting with the Russians, the T-34.
M4 Sherman Production effort was second only to the T34 (76mm) and T34/85 is said to be upwards of 80,000 units...but that is debatable- tons more the German's, combined models. And with the US and Russians, and the English were in the game too, really dwarf's the German capability. While the Russians used unhitching logs on the side-the Americans used them for soft armor, and sandbags, tracks, and sometimes the few Armor upgrade kits' were used, but in essence, just made the tank heavier.
M4A1 Sherman:
The early M4(A1) ‘Cast-Hull’ was just originally one of the builders-way of building the vehicles, using a 1 piece ‘upper-hull’ made from a single casting. They had the early small turrets, with the light mantelets for the 75mm gun. they were much lighter and smaller inside than a basic M4, or M4A3. They had small hatches for the crewmen and shot traps were found, and plates added over them. But at the time they could be shipped anywhere, fit on rail cars, moved about fairly quickly, and quick to produce-and needed asap, and were soon in the field, It was a start and not a bad one, but the German’s via Hitler and their manufacturing, seemed one step ahead, in better vehicles, but really it was all the training, and battle-experience on the Green American troops, we had the manufacturing, and the men and they went to work with light and medium tanks against the enemy, the Japanese were another situation, and their tanks were for the most part very light, or at least lightly armored, and in general, not equal to the US Armor, but, the adapted- and fought the Army and Marines fighting in the Pacific Hell!
The new T-23 turret was introduced, in later M4A1s, and about the same time onto the M4A3 hulls coming out. It carried the 76mm gun, which was not just a millimeter wider, but a longer projectile, with a bit better amour pearling capabilities, largely due to the much larger powder case, it did help and was accepted by the tank-crewmen. But the guy who got the first hit won usually.
The M4A1(76)W HVSS comes from the Pressed Steel Car Company located in the Hegewisch neighborhood on the south side of Chicago, with 3,426 being made in 1944-45. The M4A2 were made at the Fisher Tank Arsenal and the Pullman-Standard Car Company, American Locomotive Co., Baldwin Locomotive Works as well as the Federal Machine and Welder Co. totaling about 8,053. The M4A2(76)W were made at the Fisher Tank Arsenal producing some 1,594. M4A2(76)W HVSS tanks were made at the Fisher Tank Arsenal, Pressed Steel Car Company making a total of 1,321. The Pressed Steel Car Company went out of business in 1956 and US Steel purchased the former tank plant in Hegewisch for use as a steel warehouse.
The M4A3 came from the Ford Motor Company making 1,690 vehicles. more the M4A3(75)W coming from the Fisher Tank Arsenal with 2,420, M4A3(75)W HVSS from the Fisher Tank Arsenal at 651.5. The M4A3E2's coming from Fisher Tank Arsenal, making 254 of them. The M4A3(76) W’s coming from the Fisher Tank Arsenal and Detroit Tank Arsenal finishing up 1,925 of these.
The M4A3(76)W with HVSS suspicion came from Detroit Tank Arsenal, making 2,617. The M4A3(105mm) from Detroit Tank Arsenal, with 500 of these, but there were 2,539 made as M4A3(105) HVSS Detroit Tank Arsenal. Some 7,499 M4A4s were from the Detroit Tank Arsenal, 75-M4A6 were made at Detroit Tank Arsenal, all in all, the total is believed to be 49,234 ‘Sherman’ hulled tanks.
M4A3 VVSS 76mm/W:
The Sherman by the end of WWII had gone through a 'metamorphosis', their armor, suspension, propulsion systems, Main Gun had all gone through upgrades, and the soldier’s training was pretty thorough as it could be, and some of the crewmen had gone through 2, 3, 4 or even up to 7 tanks, so that says something about survivability, but a tank hit by an anti-tank round is not good in any tank-first one to hit the 'Up-Armored' Assault Sherman’s other often won. People like to compare the Sherman with the 76mm gun to a German Tiger II, but it’s like an artillery piece against numbers of light mobile tin cans with pea shooters, not really but often how it’s seen. If you've stood next to a Sherman, you know they’re not little, well except but maybe by today’s standards, ya maybe, but they were to be 20 tons, and ended up near 30, not 60-70, like the M1A1 Tanks and the Tiger II, compared to the Sherman there double the size, yet it had the same motor as the Tiger I and Panther's that were already to lightly built, for the German vehicles, and not enough power for these heavy vehicles, the 76mm M4A3 Sherman a Ford V-8, was light maybe, but dependable as hell, quickly fixed and put back together, and a lot was done with gearing. Their turrets had stabilized guns, for shooting on the move, as opposed to the German tanks stopping to shoot. But the bottom line is the US had the numbers, so much so that Sherman tanks were also o being used at the same time (often for ease of parts, and durability) with England (and all the UK) Russia, China, and India, Canada, etc.
M4A3 76 mm HVSS:
By the time the Army had ended up with the last model, they had been through so many small little detain and actually, large modifications, the first and last Sherman's had gone through a Metamorphosis! it was like an M4 on steroids, and like people who use them, they got un-real huge. I had become a whole other animal-in large much more equal to the German Medium Tanks but in far larger #s. No doubt, if you were a German soldier and this came up against your trench line, it would become the most uncomfortable situation, especially if there was a lot of infantry support, with machine guns, you can imagine getting the order to go shoot at it with your Panzerfaust! You would have to wait to get close!
With the M4A3 HVSS 76mm / Wet. Came to see the final suspicion, they really improved the ride and made the tank wider overall, for better stability-and ground pressure, which equals speed. This vehicle has an extra armored plate, some believed to be led by assault tanks, but may just be they got some plate and had it welded on!
Private, 5th Armored Division, Driver:
Then Turning north, the 5th Division surrounded the Germans still in Normandy by advancing, through Le Male-sur-Sarthe, then liberated on 11 August, then moved to the edge of the city of Argentan on 12 August? 8 days before the Argentine-Falaise Gap was closed, encompassing a huge amount of the German Forces in the area., though a gap was forced open, allowing some to escape.
After turning Argentan over to the 90th Infantry Division, the 5th Armored advanced some 80 miles to capture the Eure River Line at Dreux on 16 August. Bitter heavy fighting was encountered in clearing the Eure-Seine corridor, another trap in France.
The 5th passed through Paris on 30 August to spearhead V Corps drive through the Campaign Forest, and across the Oise, then Aisne, and Somme Rivers, finally reaching the Belgian border, on 2 September. The division then turned east, advancing 100 miles in 8 hours, and crossed the Meuse at Charleville-Mares, on Sept. 4. And then quickly passed Sedan, it liberated Luxembourg City on the 10th then deployed along the German border.
The reconnaissance squadron of the division sent a patrol across the German border on the afternoon of 11 September they were the first of the Allies to cross the Enemy Frontier. The 5th Armored Division followed suit with the 3-sided - 3 color triangle patch adaption of the Armor patch, the 3 colors I assume for 'Armor Operations' Absorbing the branches of Cavalry / Artillery / Infantry organizations to make the Tank Corp work like a spearhead.
On 14 September, the 5th penetrated through the Siegfried Line at Wallendorf, and there they stayed, until the 20th, drawing off the enemy reserves from the Aachen area. In October they held the defensive positions in the Monschau-Hofen area.
Then the Division came to the Hurtgen Forest battle area in late November, and they pushed the enemy back, to the banks of the Roer River, Involved again in very heavy fighting.
There were two different types of this jacket, one with top-loading pockets, and this slit-pocket type.
On 22 December it was withdrawn to Verviers and placed in the 12th Army Group reserve. I think the Khaki and Blue rank insignia was intended for use with the khaki summer/tropical uniforms, or khaki shirt and the olive and blue-on olive uniforms...but doesn't seem to hold up in practice, I've heard it was for Army and Army Air Corps identification-that does not seem true either to me.
With or on its own, this style winter helmet was often seen, as with likely a web belt with canteen and 45 autos on it, on the helmet goggles were often held in place. As can be seen, there is a large flap on the back that kept rain, and grit off your neck when the hatch was open, and a chin strap was on the cap too, for use when not with the helmet over it.
Crossing the Roer on 25 February 1945 the 5th at the forefront, Spearheading the XIII Corps drive to the Rhine, and crossed the Rhine at Wesel, on 30 March. The Division reached the banks of the Elbe River, at Tangermunde, on 12 April, they were now just 45 miles from the Third Reich's Capitol City, Berlin.
And on the 16 April, the 5th moved to Klotze to wipe out the Von Clausewitz Panzer Division, and then again drove to the Elbe, this time in the area of Dannenberg. The division mopped up in the Ninth Army sector until the end of the War, on VE-day. This again is but one of the styles of uniform worn by the American Tanker.
The Steel Pot itself, for years, looked just like this, threw World War Two, into Vietnam. The 5th Armored Division's losses in WWII included 570 killed in action, 2,442 wounded in action, and 140 who died of wounds. The Tank Crew did quite often use the steel helmet, generally without a cloth cover, or netting, but some guys just did not like the Tanker Helmet per se, so with independent headsets worn underneath the helmet, went this wrought.
This hopefully gives you an idea of how these were worn at times. The 5th Armored. The division was inactivated on 11 October 1945, reactivated in 1950, and inactivated for the final time in 1956. Their Tanks, were in fact often rebuilt and re-used against the enemy, as opposed to the Men in them, who paid the price of an industrialized, simple design of their vehicle.... compared to their enemy's Tanks. Volume over quality eventually proved to be a key to winning the war, at the price of a great deal of American Blood.
Most Steel-Pot had liners much like this, and by now have been modified time and again, the helmets being made in various forms too, and can be pointed out by an expert by special seams and folds in the metal, and like seen here their liners, used by other countries-post war, and varying in their use, in the paratroopers, and rangers, infantry, Types of Paint, etc. This was common as well-a winter tanker hood, here with a clear lens on the goggles, I have four of these-all just a bit different, more for use in colder areas. Here is the fur lining of the canvas like cold weather tankers hood.
Tank Platoons:
The 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions were 'Heavy Divisions' and were larger than the other divisions. And they had a lot of Shermans, originally platoons and companies generally had all the same versions of the tanks, but being built, in part or by 11 companies during the war, changes came fast, and things got mixed up fast.
Tech-Segearnt, 7th Amd. Div. Mackinaw Jacket: 7th Amd. Div. Mackinaw Jacket
The overcoat is in the rough, heavy wool often seen during that period. 6 Big buttons adorned the front of this over-coat, the coat was heavily built, in the rough, heavy wool of the time, the theory was that wool helped keep you warm and dry-of course there are far lighter, and warmer material's now, but at the time, this was how it worked.
He is a Technical Sargent with the OD / Blue Rank Patches, but at that time all Unit ID Patches were in color. I'm speculating here, but I see this in use in the winter of 1944, around the Battle of the Bulge Time of the War.
He may be assigned to the Infantry Regiment in Support of the Armored Vehicles, or very could well have been in Sherman or M10 Tanks, many Sherman's still retaining the 75mm main gun, a door knocker to the German equipment. And the early Radial Engines sucked air into the engine compartment from everywhere, until the V-8 In-Line engine came out, and the multi-bank engines.
In February of 1945, they became part of the U.S. First Army's, V Corps. Then the division returned to Germany. Combat Command "R" was attached to the 78th Infantry Division and the attacks on Strauch, Simmerath, Steckenborn, and other towns in the Hurtgen Forest area, this was a particularly brutal battle, as bad as the Battle of the Bulge but did not make the news much at the time, happening just before the Bulgle part of it, and being forgotten by the media pretty quick like.
The unit fought hard with III Corps, at the Ruhr river, the Rhine, and Unkelbach. Still, with III Corps, they took part in an armored offensive at Remagen Bridge and into the Ruhr Pocket with a double envelopment.
The outfit did occupation duty and also resurrected to fight in Korea for the duration of that conflict. Now like the M43 coat, this overcoat could be found over anything the Tanker decided he needed or could use, as long as it was allowed by higher command as needed, like in heavy rains and cold or freezing conditions might be even common. being wool, it got heavy and didn't dry fast, and could shrink, but generally, in battle line conditions, one does what is needed to stay warm and do their job.
The Armored force consisted mostly of the Sherman, however the variations, and 11 different companies making them, so new parts, did not always fit the old tank getting re-built, new parts were more often than not actually a different version from a different maker, many of the parts were interchangeable- it’s true, but stuff like the engines was not.
There were a lot of old knocked-out Sherman's stored in storage Depots and Maintenance Areas, and boneyards (Tank graveyards) across Europe where they would eventfully get parts from keeping many Sherman's getting to be available again. Let alone there were always the new and upgraded tanks leading the way.
In the field away from the boss, he preferred the knit OD cotton 'Jeep Cap'. And as an infantryman, or possibly worked at the Motor Pool Matainace (PLO) as a tech, Communications doesn’t matter he would have been issued an M1 helmet, and the winter/jeep cap could be worn under as well, you had to adjust the webbing in the helmet to do so. The Jacket could be worn by either a Tanker or Infantryman, in the winter of 1944, though, not all the men were afforded these at the beginning of the winter fighting, supplies came slowly of winter gear. He had wool trousers over his OD Long-Johns and Sweater. and boots, his web gear, if worn here, would depend on his appointment at the time, he may have just carried all his stuff in one small pack or musset bag.
First Sergeant, Tank Destroyer - Commander, WWII:
Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army Tank Destroyer, Dress Green 4-pocket jacket:
M10 Tank Destroyer:
Then we had made up for Anti-tank units the M10 tanks, and M36 vehicles in stop-gap measures, there to were on the Sherman chassis, along with the M7 105mm self-propelled gun platforms, and the many variants for the Lend-Lease to the English, Russians, Poles, and Chinese, etc.
This would use available components being used on the Sherman Tank variants, lower hull, changing engines, and upper structure, which is very debatable, the front hatches that only open with the turret turned, or in reverse. And they were often being used right alongside the Shermans, they were lighter armored, with an open roof, but a bigger gun.
Tank Destroyer Crews: Tank Destroyer Crewman we much the same as their Tank Crew counterparts, although, colder, wetter, more exposed, but much the same experience. Their actual assignment and tactics would be different and had a different purpose, were in fact doing the same job as the tanks often. A well-done colored picture, it does not show the filth, grease, powder, and smoke all over the place, hydraulic oil leaks, and the smells, and smell of death that was everywhere.
This new design allowed it to be 10 tons lighter than the M10, which allowed for a remarkable road speed of over 50 mph. Many of the TDs were absorbed into the Armored Divisions and used in various roles other than the TD, like Forward flanking elements, Reconnaissance, and Artillery Support roles. So sometimes you see them with the Armored Divisional patches.
However, no 2 ways about it, the Vehicle was still lightly armored and suffered many of the survivability problems of its predecessors. The M18 began to see service in mid-1944.
The M36 Jackson:
The final tank destroyer to enter service was the M36. This was a development spin on the M10 hull with a new turret mounting a 90 mm high-velocity gun, the most powerful anti-tank weapon which would be carried by American forces in Europe. A prototype was originally constructed in 1942, as an experiment, and the design was standardized in June 1944. In July, the European command requested that all M10 battalions be converted to M36s, and the first vehicles reached the front lines in September. It proved more than capable of countering heavy tanks and its roots in the M10 meant that it possessed greater survivability than the M18. A modification of the M18 up-gunned to 90mm was never approved for series production. Another stop-gap measure, these turrets were also applied to the M4 Sherman Hulls, which were called the M36B1. This version had the same performance as an M10, but carried a 90mm main gun, very much equal to the Tigers weapon.... but in a head-to-head-the Tiger obviously had the armor advantage still.
But the lack of armor, as seen here, and the open roof still caused the crew’s great fear of getting hit by an enemy shell. They used a big radial engine and for the time were very fast, and good for flanking movements and getting behind the enemy forces being attacked.
Tank Destroyer Staff Sgt. Dress Uniform:
This is pretty straightforward, Regulation Army, the somewhat simpler uniform than the dress uniforms that followed, is exactly like the Infantryman and the AAF Airmans. The open-collar jacket had matching wool, trousers, and Overseas Cap. The cap has Tank-Destroyer piping on it and the TD DUI on the front left side. The other identification, clarifying his duty with the Tank Destroyer, rather than Armor in general, is his shoulder patch. A Staff Sergeant, he very well may have been the commander of one of the TD-Platoons vehicles. He’s had 2 prior enlistments and a year overseas of late. On his ribbons bar, he wears the Purple Heart, the American Defence Service Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, and the E-A-ME Campaign Ribbon with 4 Campaign Stars on it. The WWII Victory Medal shows the uniform is in the post-war period. H has the National Defence Service medal too, which may be incorrect and have to fix this as I think it came out in the 1960s. He also carries the CIB (an infantryman badge) an not likely for service in the TDs. Under that, he has his qualification badge with various bars under it. All finished off with brown boots.
The M10 with 3” gun:
Better than the Half-Tracks with Artillery guns fitted in the bed but still lightly armored, for various reasons, speed, weight, etc, the open top all but never had its canvas panel pulled up, the loss of visibility not an option, the gun was effective, and infantrymen and tankers alike liked having them around as well. Based on the early M3 Medium-type chassis, they received more powerful engines, the real drawback is the drivers and radioman hatches could only be opened or closed when the turret was traversed! so if they were down, and you were the only way out was the top of the turret, at least that was a large opening.
The M36 & M36B1:
A spin-oof on the M10 was a 90mm gun variant, and being late in the war, and a rushed-into-service item, many ended up using Sherman Hulls (B1) in theory to deal with the German Heavys they were calling out everywhere. These turned out to often be the Mark Four Panzers, they had a very deadly 75mm rather than the 88’s on Tiger Tanks, but just as deadly. However, the Allied response to them was quick and business-like, making bigger gunned tanks, and dropping a lot more bombs on them. That worked pretty well too. This is one of the expedient examples that started being made of the Tank Destroyers, the British adapted their 17-pounder gun to the Sheman turrets (an unimaginable feat). By then nearly all the plants (11) putting together Sherman tanks, were doing so with the 76mm gun in 1944. And there were a lot of tanks coming out to the point that training was getting shortened and they were going threw a lot by panzerfausts and anti-tank guns at astonishing numbers.
M18 Tank Destroyer:
This is an extreme example of the shoot-and-scoot theory! super light, and very fast, the gun was the Sherman 76mm, they were to have the special “HOT” Ammo, made for maximum penetration, and used in that way were pretty effective, often doing their “own“ scouting because of their speed. However armor was quite light and fought off guard, or with a good shot, they could not withstand a hit from their enemy either. That said, most of the so-called Tank Destroyers were use in Europe, for that matt most Tanks were used in Europe, in the Pacific, they dominated their enemy’s tanks, but it was a matter of getting to them the soft beaches and thick jungles did them few favors, and saltwater raised hell with anything steel, late in the was stainless steel jeeps were being made. And the Japanese made incredible use of bunkers with hidden guns in them, and many taken out with mines, even buried aircraft bombs, and men with pole-charges that would attack the tank in a suicide mission! faster than one could react.
