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.