Tiger Tamers
80 years ago this week. Stavelot, Belgium. 21 December 1944. “Men of the 823rd Tank Destroyer Battalion are responsible for knocking out four attacking King Tiger German tanks.” The image comes as the men are working to reduce “The Bulge” in the Ardennes while attached to the 30th “Hickory” Divison.
Dig the Tanker boots and varied mix of uniforms. U.S. Army Signal Corps Photo SC 334902
Left to right: Pvt. Robert H. Grout, Columbia, South Carolina, Pfc. Raymond Clements, Indiantown, Florida; T/5 Clarence West, Lilly, La.; Cpl. Buel O. Sheridan, Sheridan, Texas; Sgt. Clyde Gentry, Tucson, Arizona; and S/Sgt. Oron Revis, Klamath Falls, Oregon.
The 823rd Tank Destroyer Bn, 30th Infantry Division, with their newly-issued M10 Wolverines. (Photo courtesy of 30th Infantry Division Association)
Via Tank Destroyer.net an abbreviated history of the 823rd:
Activated on 25 July 1942, at Camp Carson, Colorado. Arrived in England in April 1944. Landed at Omaha beach on 24 June with towed 3-inch guns. Supported drive on St. Lô. Fought at Mortain in August. Passed through Belgium and Holland, entered Germany on 17 September. Fought along Siegfried Line in October, including encirclement of Aachen.
Converted to M10’s beginning in November 1944. Shifted to the Ardennes in late December and fought to eliminate the Bulge in January 1945. Crossed Roer River on 24 February and Rhine on 24 March. Raced eastward to Elbe River at Magdeburg in April. Began military occupation duties on 21 April.