French 2nd Armored Division

Remember last Summer I was on a trip in Alsace Lorraine and too ka bunch of pictures of the 1944-1945 batlefields that took place there. While in Phalsbourg,near the former Saverne gap, I spooted a damaged tank from the French 2ND Armored Division that got destroyed there and was turned into a monument after the war. I got a few pictures of this particular tank which was destroyed by a direct hit that went in the turret and got out on the other side leaving two huge holes. Well just have a look at this December 23rd 1944 Amercian picture I recently added to my personnal collection, it's the same tank, the picture is just taken the other way. You can even read the name! Enjoy this now and then!

 

Looks like it took two hits. One in the turret which went through and one went into the left side hull but did not come out. That is an amazing find. The exact same tank.

 

Looks like it went through the turret on one side and out the ammunition hatch on the other.

 

I was amazed when I saw the picture for the first time. Two hits you say? The crew didn't make it . There is a memorial plque next to it. I don't remember seeing the pile box in 2007, but is was quite hilly, so I figure it was buried or destroyed.

 

Well I can see 3 hits on the left hand side of the turret alone, then a fourth hit in the hull.
one below the 4 of 46
one upper right of the 6
one on the side hatch

EDIT This pdf says it took 4 hits to left side too.
http://www.armourarchive.co.uk/ptif_upd.pdf

other photos then & now here.
Phalsbourg

 

Five hits! Poor tank the battle must have been hell. I will try to find out the story. My gues is is that it got a first blow in the turret, then it was immobilized and then another hit in the turret. Considering the hits it got, the restoration work has been really well done. Some parts have been removed at the rear and on top of the turret, probably taken away by souvenir hunters in 1945 or removed to avoid people climbing on it from being hurt.

 

I just saw your thumbnail Wessex. Amazing now ad thens! It says it was knocked out on Nov 25th 1944

 

More great pics of this tank here:

Petit Patrimoine : Le char "Bourg la Reine" à Phalsbourg, patrimoine rural, chasses aux trésors, enigmes,

 

Thanks for that last link skipper, Von Poop & I were having a 'discussion' about it last night.
Wish we could have found those photos then.

 

The Battle of Phalsbourg took place on November 22nd, this was the day this tank was knocked out. The picture was taken three days after the battle. I have the original censorships cancelation behind it and it is dated Nov 25th. I have resized it ,but on the edge on the right side you can see part of a G.I. reporter. I believe this picture is part of 17 collection. One is posted on the link you provided (same angle, same date) and you can guess the shadow of the man who took it .