629th Tank Destroyer Bn

An image from the NARA.

Caption reads:

“An American tank destroyer of the 629th T.D.
Bn., fires between two houses in Gurzenich,
Germany, to smoke out a German field entrenchment
on the outskirts of the town.”

Date: 14 December 1944

III-SC 197356, Credit NARA.


Dave

 

Nice image but its a Sherman 76mm model.

 

Yes, an M4A3, judging by the rear exhaust louvers, and with the vertical volute spring suspension (VVSS). This would make it an M4A3(76)W.

 

Definitely an M4A3. The US Army standardized on the M4A1 and A3 for US service in Europe. The occasional A2, or A6 slipped in from depots as the British used these but that is very uncommon.

 

Not to forget the original M4, but this had an "upside-down horseshoe" rear plate with "pepperpot" exhausts. This one has the adjustable rear louvres. Cool shot, really. The guy on the turret bustle looks like he's holding on for dear life!!!

 

The tube looks like a 76mm, has the length, proportions but is missing it's muzzle brake. Did some come that way or could it be taken off? Just curious,

GB

 

Early 76mm gun did not have a muzzle break. This could be a M4A3(75) rearmed with the 76.

 

Most early 76mm guns didn't have a muzzle brake installed. You will note however that there is a tread protector on the end of the barrel over the threads for screwing on a muzzle brake.

 

If I remember correctly, the M1 and M1A1 76mm guns had no muzzle brake, while the M1A1C and M1A2 did. Most pictures of the M18 Hellcat, armed with the same weapon, show no muzzle brake. You can usually see the muzzle brake on the late-war M4A3E8, the "Easy Eight", with the HVSS suspension.

 

Thanks guys, learn something new here all the time. Even my dim old eyes can see the protector but did not know what it was.

A slightly off topic question. The current British 120mm is rifled but does not use a brake, are they now out of favor? Nor of course do the 120-1235 smooth bores but I assumed a brake might interfere with the fins.

GB

 

awesome pic

 

I hope I'm not replying in the wrong thread but I was so glad to come across the 629th! My uncle, Sgt. Edward P. Tumas, was killed in action Dec.11, 1944 and was in the 629th Destroyer Battalion. He received the Silver Star for staying in an old building with some of his wounded men after a heavy battle with 3 Tiger tanks the night, he was killed when a mortar shell came through the roof the next morning and struck him. I have his service records in front of me but if anyone can give me more information on where they fought, who these men were, others were killed there too - I'd be so grateful. I'm trying to put together a scrapbook for my 86 year old mother and this was her favorite brother. I am so proud of my uncle and all these men.

 

Tankdestroyer.net has a unit page for the 629th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The After Action Reports from July 1944 to June 1945 are available for download. There are also two photo galleries. I hope this is not too late to help you, Uncle Eddie.