Sherman With Major Role At Bastogne Found

[livvy]

Sherman With Major Role At Bastogne Found

Staff report
Posted : Sunday Dec 28, 2008 11:21:28 EST

Army historians have identified a World War II-era tank on display at Rose Barracks, Vilseck, Germany as being the first tank to enter American lines 64 years ago in relief of besieged 101st Airborne Division soldiers during the Battle of the Bulge.

Called the “Cobra King,” the M4 Sherman tank was used by the 4th Armored Division’s C Company, 37th Tank Battalion to break the German encirclement of U.S. forces at Bastogne, Belgium on Dec. 26, 1944.

Army historians from U.S. Army Europe and the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Ky., used serial numbers and registration numbers to verify the tank’s identity.

The tank was built in mid-1944 at the Detroit Tank Arsenal, and is one of only 254 “Jumbo” models of the M4 to come off the arsenal’s assembly lines.

Because of its historical importance, USAREUR officials expect the tank will be displayed at the National Museum of the Army after construction of that facility is completed at Fort Belvoir, Va.

more...


http://www.armytimes.com/news/2008/12/army_tank_bastogne_122808w/%2e

[Faygo Kid]

1. "The tank was built in mid-1944 at the Detroit Tank Arsenal . . ."

My mother and grandmother were both "Rosie the Riveters" in Detroit during WWII. Don't tell me that the Arsenal of Democracy should now be allowed to wither and die, taking all those jobs with it.

[Captain Hilts]

2. Yeah, what's Detroit done for us????

Helped win THE war!

[Adsos Letter]

3. I spent seven months at Vilseck, and I remember that tank!

I think I even have a picture somewhere...gotta' get out the scrapbooks.

[livvy]

4. Here's a link to pics of the remaining Shermans and their locations.

http://the.shadock.free.fr/Surviving_Rare_Sherman_Variants.pdf

Whenever I hear "Sherman" tanks, it always makes me think of the movie "Kelly's Heroes". Great cast, great lines, and makes me laugh every time.
"Have a little faith, baby. Have a little faith."