761st "Black Panther" Tank Battalion. (1 Viewer)

[steel wheels]

I just purchased a fantastic book The 761st "Black Panther", Tank Battalion in WW-ll, by Joe Wilson, Jr. His dad served in the battalion, and has written a fabulous book that is wonderfully illustrated. What really caught my eye was a photo depicting a column of M5 stuart tanks that were armed with a 75mm short barrel howitzer. This is the first time that I have seen a photo of this variation of the stuart tank. I'm thinking this is a rare tank that would make a nice Figarti or K&C model.

 

[agmtanks]

I just bought a magazine tonight for $5 World War II History at my Supermarket with a story on this Tank Battalion on the Cover. When Honour Bound has their new Sherman ready , I am going to have one made for me from the magazine pictures and the book you mentioned. The Stuart variation sounds very interesting also.

 

[binder001]

The 761st was the first "colored" (1940's verbage) tank battalion in Europe. Companies A, B, & C used mostly M4A3 type tanks, mostly with 76mm guns, D company used M5A1 light tanks, although they got some M24s late in the war.

There were two other "colored" tank battalions, the 784th reached Europe in 1945 and saw action in the drive into Germany. The 758th was a light tanks battalion, all M5A1s with M8 assault guns. The 758th fought in Italy, usually supporting the 92nd Infantry Division (cld).

Gary

 

[steel wheels]

I actually am in the process of making a small diorama, with the Figarti African American soldiers, and a FOV Stuart tank that I am doing some detailing on. It will be my tribute to the 761st tank battalion. It would be pretty cool to have HB make a "Cool Studs" Sherman Tank.