761st Tank Battalion - The 1st African American Tankers to see combat (1 Viewer)

[Louis Badolato]

I watched a show on the history channel today about the 761st Tank Battalion, the first African American Tankers to see combat. Like the Tuskeegee Airmen, for me these men are the greatest heroes of WWII, because they fought herocially for a country that treated them as second class citizens.

I would, therefore, respectfully request that K&C produce both Tuskeegee Airmen for the air war series, and 761st Tankers for the Battle of the Bulge series.

 

[jazzeum]

I watched a show on the history channel today

Today? Aren't you supposed to be working or at least getting ready for the big "S"?

 

[Louis Badolato]

I am working . . . but when you work from home you can have the histroy chennel on in the background!

 

[Saber]

That would be a great idea! History channel also ran a show about the Alaska Hwy built by the U.S. Army. Black soldiers played a significant role in that project. Kind of reminded me of the Roman Legions building roads!

 

[Rob]

I am working . . . but when you work from home you can have the histroy chennel on in the background!

Thats my excuse for a lot of things Louis,'Meant to do it darling,but the History channel was on...but it was about Tanks!!'.

Rob

 

[Saber]

There is a great article in this months WWII History mag (April/May) about the 761st Bn.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Thats my excuse for a lot of things Louis,'Meant to do it darling,but the History channel was on...but it was about Tanks!!'.

Rob

No excuses Rob . . . I worked 12 hours yesterday, most with the History Channel on in the backgroud!

 

[Rob]

If your working twelve hours Louis you deserve your favourite channel on in the background.And have a great symposium by the way!

Rob

 

[binder001]

As I have mentioned in earlier posts, the most commonly photographed type of tank with the 761st would bethe M4A3 with 76mm gun. Many of the units that entered Europe in the fall of 1943 drew these tanks and other M4A3 versions as opposed to earlier units coming in with M4 and M4A1 versions primarily (although as losses mounted units grabbed any replacement available). Anyway, this is a type of tank that Andy hasn't done yet - another plus as Andy doesn't seem to like repeating the same vehicle (unless its yet another Tiger!). The 761st also had a company of M5A1 "Stuarts" and some howitzer tanks in the Assault Gun Platoon, so Andy could do several versions of "Black Panthers'" tanks.

Gary

 

[Louis Badolato]

I think that honoring these brave men with a Sherman, a Stuart and one of the assault Stuarts would be fantastic. With Andy indicating that a P51B Mustang is also in his plans, I think that some Tuskeegee Airmen would also be very appropriate. Andy did a Tuskeegee Pilot for Del Prado (I have the figure on display with my K&C P51B Mustang), but I think more of these Heroes would be appropriate.