Combat in Germany 1946 (part II)

Germany 1946

The M4 tanks of the 707th Tank Battalion and a few US armored cavalry troops had been hard pressed by superior German forces on the German/Belgian border.When German heavy tanks arrived the American tanks knew their time was up. 

However, fate was to intervene and a platoon of US heavy tanks was ordered up from supporting US infantry in the area to engage their German counterparts, a task they relished!

Four M34 heavy tanks arrived to take on the Tiger II's, three carried the devastating 120mm gun and one the older, yet still potent, 105mm gun.

Four US heavy tanks arrived just as the German heavy tanks were crossing the rail road tracks into the town.

Lt. Fox's M34A1 arrived on the eastern edge of the village with the best field of fire against the Germans.

Sgt. Hitchcock's M34A1 moved forward towards the church where the cavalry troop was holed up.

There first sight of the German King Tigers.

Lt. Houston in his M4A3E8, realized the situation had just changed in his favor.

The 120mm high velocity gun was ready for action.

Hitchcock's tank moved past the destroyed recon jeep.

Sgt. Guzman and his tank take aim at Germans in the center of the village.

Cpt. Walsh's 105mm armed M34A1 moved to the western edge of the village where the jumbo was stuck.

A German Tiger II was crossing the rail line where the T-34 was burning.

The surviving panther took aim at a US tank in the distance.

The crew watched in horror as all shots bounced off or failed to penetrate.

Reports came on the radio of US heavy tanks in the vicinity.

The King Tiger on the eastern edge faced off against the M34's.

The Panzer IV/70 was now on the wrong side of the tracks as it had begun to encircle the US Shermans.

Cpt. Walsh took position to cover the remaining US Sherman's on that side of the village.

A fate would have it a target did present itself.

The 105 spoke and the King Tiger burned.

That was a great relief to the Jumbo crew.

The final panther decided to smoke and get out of the area, after the Tiger to its right went up.

Reversing!

Hitchcock's tank was hit multiple times by the long 88's and the driver was injured.

The tank bailed out at the Church.

The 88's shots were true.

But that M34 was not alone!

Lt. Fox knocked out the Tiger.

Lt. Fox was a veteran tanker with a great crew!

This tank had slugged it out with almost all the German heavies in its time.

The bazooka team from the cavalry troop got in on the action.

The retreating Panzer IV/70 didn't make it over the tracks, as the German forces withdrew.

Lt. Houston's platoon had held the village, with a little help.

After the battle it was time to get everything back in working order.

Sgt. Guzman and the remaining heavy tanks moved to the rail line.

Keeping watch on any other German attacks.

Armored might!

Cpt Walsh watching over the fields to the south of the rail line.

Secured for the time.

Combat in Germany 1946 (part I)

Germany, August 1946

A US cavalry troop had located German panzers preparing to attack elements of the US 30th Infantry Division, which were just moving into their new positions. A platoon of M4 medium tanks from the 707th Tank Battalion was sent to link up with the cavalrymen and delay the German tanks until more US forces could arrive.

Lt. Houston spread his 5 M4 tanks around the local church grounds. 

Sgt. Melton's M4A1 brewed up a panther as it crossed the railroad tracks.

The cavalry troop dismount and hold positions around the church.

A single 57mm AT gun was brought up and deploys in a bombed out house.

Lt. Houston's M4A3E8 tank.

Sgt's Muller and Waskowski positioned their tanks in the village.

Sgt. Gardener's M4A3E8 prepared to fire on an advancing German tank with the AT gun.

The platoons position's on the west side of the village.

German tanks approached, lead by a captured T-34/85.

Sgt. Muller's Jumbo was ready to pounce.

Three different guns took the T-34 under fire.

The German Oberleutnant turning to face the M4A1 in the distance.

It's shot knocked out Lt. Melton's tank as it backed up.

The platoon commanders fire was joined by the third panther in the platoon.

Sgt. Waskowski's tank moved forward to engage the panther in the field.

German Halftracks moved up in support, carrying few Panzergrenadiers.

The panther on the tracks burning.

Sgt. Melton's tank just after firing.

It was hit in the front right as it reversed behind the cabin.

The crew bailed out of the disabled tank.

There was danger on the east side of the village. 

More fire went into the cabin sheltering the M4A1, eventually setting it on fire.

But the German commander noticed the danger in the village too late.

The German T-34 was destroyed by three close-range shots to its side.

The Shermans moved forward. While the AT guns was moved out.

More targets were in the fields.

Sgt. Gardener moved his tank forwards while Sgt. Waskowski moved his tank back after its shells bounced off the front of the panthers armor.

The Oberleutnant  watched the M4A1 burn.

But his tank followed quickly behind.

The 76mm on the Jumbo did its work well.

But Lt. Houston radioed that more German armor was approaching.

A Panzer IV/70 A and several King Tigers arrived in the area.

The tigers went to work immediately.

Sgt. Waskowski's tank was hit as it moved up to fire again.

It's added armor in the front did little to help against the long 88mm.

Muller's jumbo took a few shots at the Tiger II's, with no effect.

His driver reversed too quickly ad became stuck in the ruined house.

One of the Cavalry Troops jeeps was destroyed as it moved out of cover.

The M4A1 was hit multiple times through the building it was hiding behind.

A Tiger II vs a jeep.

A Bergepanther began to recover one of the German tanks.