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Finding out what tank/ tank destroyer my grandpa drove in WW2

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  • Member since
    April 2016
Posted by Donanton on Thursday, June 23, 2016 8:16 AM

-- BlackSheepTwoOneFour

It was in Lavaselle, Belgium, Bestt I can decifer from the history, it was In the last days of december 1944 or first week of january 1945.

 

**Attacked Chenogne and Acul on December 31, 1944.
Attacked Rechrival and captured Senonchamps on January 1-2, 1945.**
These towns surround Lavaselle, Belgium.
 
Yes of course.  Angle, distance, and many other things acn cause a deflection.
  • Member since
    September 2012
Posted by GMorrison on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 12:27 PM

Donanton- there's three real experts.

 Modeling is an excuse to buy books.

 

  • Member since
    December 2002
  • From: Fort Knox
Posted by Rob Gronovius on Wednesday, June 22, 2016 12:19 PM

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  • Member since
    July 2004
  • From: Sonora Desert
Posted by stikpusher on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 1:18 PM

Tank destroyers were usually assigned to TD Battalions, and tanks to Tank Battalions. So in all probability he did drive M4s. Although he may have served in more than one unit, if he was wounded/medevac'd and later returned to duty. 

Here is their battle history in WWII. It says Shermans.

http://www.11tharmoreddivision.com/history/41st_tank_battalion_history.html

and a more detailed history here

http://www.11tharmoreddivision.com/history/41st_Tank_History.html

This well known photo of a M4A3E8 in Germany is from 11th Armored Division, 41st Tank Battalion

 

F is for FIRE, That burns down the whole town!

U is for URANIUM... BOMBS!

N is for NO SURVIVORS...

       - Plankton

LSM

 

  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 1:15 PM

The question remains, is when and where was he pulled from the front when his tank was hit by artillery fire.

  • Member since
    April 2016
Posted by Donanton on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 11:36 AM
I'be been looking for some pictures from ww2 but theyve been "put in a safe place" and aren't readily accessible. There is a website for the 11th armored division, but the only mention of my grandfather is when he was pulled from the front due to concussions after his tank was hit by artillery fire.
  • Member since
    January 2013
Posted by BlackSheepTwoOneFour on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 9:50 AM

Google Company A, 41st Tank Battalion, 11th Armored Division would be a good start. Are there any private photos of your grandfather with the tank he drove in WW2? I know I came across some photos of my uncle with a Sherman during WW2 on my mom's side. Found some from a cousin of hers one day a couple years ago.

It's also possible he may have been assigned to both Shermans and Tank Destroyers during WW2.

  • Member since
    April 2016
Finding out what tank/ tank destroyer my grandpa drove in WW2
Posted by Donanton on Tuesday, June 21, 2016 8:22 AM

My grandfather was a "tank" driver in WW2.  I have "tank" in quotes as I am not entirely sure he drove a tank.  Upon new evidence I hear he drove a tank destroyer.  He arrived in Europe in December 1944, participated in the battle of the bulge, and went on to finish the war in europe.  He drove the company commander's "tank" in Company A, 41st Tank Batallion, 11th Armored division, USA.

(of course this could mean any armored vehicle at this point)

He had told people he drove a sherman, but my aunt told me that acording to someone at one of his unit's reunions that my grandpa actually drove a tank destroyer.

(this brings me down to the m4 sherman, and any of the various tank destroyers based upon it's chasis)

This along with his stories about how "Our shells would just bounce straight up off the enemy tanks without any effect".  (This makes me think panthers as tigers were less prevalent on the western front and as tigers had no sloped armor.)  He said this would often happen until "We got the 90mm gun"

(so now we have a certain tank in mind, the m36, which was a 90mm tank destroyer.  but of course this could be just the use of we as his unit as a whole)

Does anyone know of a way to directly look up what tank someone drove in WW2?

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