Question-- M26 Pershing, Cologne Panther killer (1 Viewer)

[dragon53]

This photo is the M26 (T26) Pershing that knocked out a Panther in Cologne. The Pershing was #30119836, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division.
Does anyone know what the three numbers are on the left side of the photo?....the three numbers on the right side of the photo are "836" which are the tank's last three numbers.
Are the three numbers on the left side of the photo "323"? (from 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division).

 

[DMNamiot]

This photo is the M26 (T26) Pershing that knocked out a Panther in Cologne. The Pershing was #30119836, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division.
Does anyone know what the three numbers are on the left side of the photo?....the three numbers on the right side of the photo are "836" which are the tank's last three numbers.
Are the three numbers on the left side of the photo "323"? (from 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division).

Hi There,

I cant read the numbers in the photo and would need to see a better zoom in on the section to be totally sure on them. But the way they should look would be on the left side of the vehicle as you are viewing it: 3 with a triangle symbol and then 32 which is as you stated 3 AD 32nd AR then the other side would be an alpha numeric designation for the tank company and position in a platoon so yours is likely B 36 Hope this makes sense I am looking for a photo of my tank and will scan it for you to see.

Dave

 

[DMNamiot]

Here is my old tank. We used the same sort of marking system in WWII so your tank photo should be similar. My tank has an additional 1 for first battalion which could have been omitted when the M26 was in action because the regiments fought as a whole in some cases and werent broken in to battalions they would have been in combat commands CCA or CCB. In 3rd ADs book Spearhead in the West there is some discussion of this attack and about the Pershing on Panther fight but it didnt list the name of the crew only the names of the two camera men who filmed the fight.

hope this is helpful

 

[dragon53]

DMNAMIOT:

Thanks for the info----the only WW II models I have with rear numbers are:
1. Corgi M4 Sherman commanded by Jimmie Leach, B Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division.
On the left rear of the model is: "4(triangle)37(triangle)" and on the right rear is: "B66".
2. Collectors Showcase M4 Sherman "In the Mood" commanded by Lafayette Pool, Company I, 3rd Tank Battalion, 32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division
On the left rear of the model is: "3(triangle)32(triangle)" and on the right rear is: "I-35". On the rear side of the model is: "USA 30071322".

Also, the Pershing's crew is:
Commander: Sgt Robert Early
Gunner: Clarence Smoyer
Asst. Gunner: John Deriggi
Driver: William McVey
Asst Driver: Homer Davis

 

[DMNamiot]

Well the information you have goes pretty well with what I posted so I would say that the resolution on the photo is too grainy to see the numbers correctly. Your vehicle with SSG Pool's info on it is how the markings on this Pershing would have looked since they were in the same Division. Thanks for posting the names of the crew too.

Dave

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The tank registration number was 30119836 and is located high up on the front plate and the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] sideskirt on both sides of the tank.

The tank was in the 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] Armored Division, 32[SUP]nd[/SUP] Armored Regiment and should have been visible under the bow machine gun as 3^32^. Make sure you use triangles in place of the ^ symbol. The tank was in Company E but the full number was unknown. But from your photo it probably was E36

Terry

 

[dragon53]

Here are other photos:


Based on the top photo, it looks like "300" to me.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

There were only 16 Pershings that saw combat with the 3rd AD and they are listed above. The numbers on the rear of the tank should be 3^32 and E ??. I don't know of any other numbers that would make sense. If the right rear number as in your photo is B 36 it is not the Cologne tank as the only Pershings in Company B were in the 33AR

Terry

Terry

 

[Phantom Warrior]

It's possible that the number on the rear is 32[SUP]nd and E 26

[/SUP]or 33[SUP]rd B 26

Terry
[/SUP]

 

[DMNamiot]

Due to the grainy photo originally posted I guessed that it was a B could easily be an E. so if you have all the bumper numbers then it's what you say. I don't have order of battle info for the 3AD.
Dave

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Due to the grainy photo originally posted I guessed that it was a B could easily be an E. so if you have all the bumper numbers then it's what you say. I don't have order of battle info for the 3AD.
Dave

I doubt the OOB would give that detail. My source of the info was Robert Hunnicutt whose very well researched and detailed books did for American AFVs what Jentz and Doyle Panzer Tracts did for German AFVs. And even Hunnicut did not list the Pershing's names or tank numbers. The only one I know of because I have photos is Fireball of Company F, Tank 25 33rd AR. For the "Cologne Pershing", I know the Registration Number and Company Letter from Hunnicutt and photos but not the name or Tank Number of the "Cologne Pershing"

The first 20 Pershings went to the 1st Army which sent 16 to the 3rd AD and four to the 9th AD. Only these 20 saw combat even though another 290 were sent to Europe before VE Day. I can't for certain identify the tank in the photos from the rear view..

Terry

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Terry,

Hunnicutts books are fantastic resources that I dont currently have in my library mainly due to the cost of the books even the reprints. So its a choice right now of buy a few Vikings from WB or the Hunnicutt books so I am waiting for when I find them at better prices on the 2nd hand market. When I have some spare time I will look at the books I have and see if I can sort anything out. You would think with only 20 of them in Action there would be better information on what all of them did.

Dave