Destroyed German Armor, Bastogne

Wow! was my reaction when I found this Signal Corps photograph
at the NARA yesterday, 19 June.

The caption reads:

"This German tank was knocked out near Bastogne, Belgium."

Date: 3 January 1945

Photographer: Sullivan

III-SC 198609, Credit NARA.

If anyone would like a high-resolution version of this photo, just
let me know.


Dave

 

Looks like a bomb has done the job.

Regards

Ulrich

 

Jeez! What do you think blew those poor guys up?

 

I suppose that he had an hit by a bomb or an heavy artillery shell and his own amo gave him the rest. It seems that he was hit on the left and the explosion has also blown out his right side as you can see on its pieces. Poor boys!

Regards

Ulrich

 

JaegerBomber!

Jabo.

 

the pic has been in so many magazines and books in the past

thanks Dave for showing the original intent. Back in the 1960's we discussed whether this Pz IV was one of many out of fuel and blown to bits by it's crew

 

Gents, don't forget that every German tank was equipped with a scuttling charge. Prior to abandonment, the last crew member was supposed to ignite this and get as far away as possible before it went off. Not to mention, we blew up alot of their stuff to keep it from being used if the Germans re-took the area.

 

I agree, it was standard practice with tanks that could not be recovered from the battlefield. For the Germans, if they were forced to withdraw they would go back and completely destroy tanks that were otherwise worth recovering but in a position where they simply couldn't get to them before leaving (ala Kursk).

 

Catastrophic explosions...the Panzer IV of the OP looks like it was a jabo's work....

 

I don't see any signs around the vehicle to suggest bombs or rockets hit the area, it looks more like an internal explosion blew it apart. The Tiger turned upside down is a likely candidate for being knocked out by large a large aerial bomb, but the other look more like the result of internal explosions (penetration or destroyed by crew).

 

You know a tank didnt do that.

 

Unless it was a Firefly Sherman modification. That 17 pounder could be pretty effective.

 

The first 2 (and the original PzIV) look like demolition by Allied troops. The charges carried in German tanks were quite small and usualy just enough to destroy the gun breech and the engine. Not large enough to blow the vehicle apart.
The two Tigers are heavy bomber victims.

 

A 17pdr would've worked well, and would be even better had it set off the ammo cache. Once that goes up (depending on how many rounds Jerry has in the tank), it is history. Most panzers had (I think) around 40 rounds inside when full, so you and your tank probably aren't going to survive that.

Here's a photo of Wittmann's tiger for reference, which was destroyed by a Firefly conversion:

Quite a bit of damage to it, including having the turret blown off.

 

I have a book I read some time ago, which I believe claimed it was destroyed by a "lucky" bazooka hit which set off the main ammo supply. I am trying to find the book now to verify this, but I am relatively sure that's what it said.

EDIT: I found the book - Donald Burgett's "Seven Roads to Hell". Here is what he states below a cropped version of this photo:

"Schuyler "Sky" Jackson knocked out this MKIV German tank Christmas morning on a narrow road at Rolle, Belgium, with a bazooka and guts as it approached the 502 [Parachute infantry regiment] C.P. The turret blew off when it exploded and sits up on edge on its own chassis. Jackson received the Silver Star for his actions."

There is a short story on Jackson near the top of this page: http://www.101airborneww2.com/personalities2.html

 

Tanks that suffered catastrophic ammunition fires / explosions often have their turret blown off. This is the tank equivalent of some battleship having its magazine explode (eg., Arizona or Hood). The Pz IV comes apart like a cheap suit as the upper hull is just bolted by 16 bolts to the lower hull of the vehicle. That is why you see it askew like the turret in these catastrophic explosions.
There are photos of a number of Pz IV that look like the above after an ammo explosion. Even Jadgtiger look much like this when the ammo detonates.

 

Yea it would but even better a 90mm!
But I don't think alot saw anti tank action besides the Pershing.

 

Look up the "M36 Jackson". This first saw action in Sept 1944, and along with the Firefly and Pershing was the only tank that could take on the heavy panzers.

The Pershing was only introduced in early 1945, seeing very limited combat. I think the only time it took on a heavy tank was a panther in Cologne.

 

M36 Jackson were quite widespread and the Germans learned to fear them, especially during the battle of the Bulge since the US troops were the main ones being involved.
A comment about the Firefly don't forget the Achilles (M10 tank destroyer with a 17 pounders).
The Pershing saw some action, taking out Panthers, pz IV, tigers and so on, even some 88mm antitank guns.
Don't have all the books here but there were at least a few pershings seeing quite a lot of fighting.

 

I did some follow up research, and tried to find the exact combat records:

1 Panther (Cologne) - there is a Signal Corps video of this engagement somewhere on youtube
2 Tiger Is (1 each at Elsdorf and Cologne)
3 Pz IVs (2 at Elsdorf, 1 at Mannheim)

One "Super Pershing" (upgunned M26 with a L73 cannon) claimed 1 "unknown tank", and one "Tiger".

3 Pershings were knocked out - one by a Tiger I in Elmsdorf, one by an 88 in Nielh and one at the Roer River by an field gun.

Only 20 of these tanks were sent to the front, and it it doubtful that all of them saw tank-on-tank action. I think the average armour strength for a German division at this time was something like 15 tanks? The M26 was first put on the line near the end of February.