John Kettler Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 If you want to understand tank warfare at the battalion level, this is a must read. Even better because it details the green perdition called the bocage, the get well plans, breakout and more. This is war at the most intimate level. Tanker names and all. This attack goes in, this company loses eight tanks. Here's who died, who was wounded, who survived. GI view of life on the sharp end of the spear, with one harrowing account after another. Great and disturbing material, to include a near instant psych casualty. This material is about as CMBN topical as it gets. http://www.pitnet.net/heathde/749/ Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArgusEye Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Very nice find. Much appreciated. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pak40 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 3 July: Beauvis. "A" Co 5 tanks attacked toward Angeville. 3 tanks out of action from rocket or rifle grenades. One tank in marsh. 5 EM KIA S/Sgt O'Bryant, Sgt Bradfield, Cpl Weakley, Cpl Gammons, Pvt Bryan. 2 EM LIA T/5 Lane and Pvt Decker. Tank comdrs reported ... Inf did not follow up the tanks in the attack. Five miniature tanks (Doodlebugs) were found in 106 sector (106th Cavalry Group). I wonder what a Doodlebug is? Maybe a Goliath? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackcat Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 A fascinating read. Thanks for sharing your find, Mr. K. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YankeeDog Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I wonder what a Doodlebug is? Maybe a Goliath? Yep. I'm pretty sure I recall seeing "doodlebug" as slang for Goliaths elsewhere. Oddly, my Grandfather (a WWII vet) used to call my mother "Doodlebug". Not sure what to make of that. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seedorf81 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 I wonder what a Doodlebug is? Maybe a Goliath? Strange, the British called the V-1's (Flying bomb) Doodlebugs, but that can't be it. Maybe they're referring to early war German (Pzkw I/II) or German-used French tanks (Hotchkiss h35/Renault R35)? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pak40 Posted May 23, 2013 Share Posted May 23, 2013 Maybe they're referring to early war German (Pzkw I/II) or German-used French tanks (Hotchkiss h35/Renault R35)? Yea, possibly those Renaults. They were in the area at the time and they do kind of resemble doodlebugs. Oddly, my Grandfather (a WWII vet) used to call my mother "Doodlebug". Not sure what to make of that. At least he didn't call her Goliath 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Kettler Posted May 24, 2013 Author Share Posted May 24, 2013 You're all welcome! The Doodlebug is indeed the Goliath, as seen here in the Wiki in progress. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goliath_tracked_mine U.S. intel? clip on Goliath. It explicitly states the GI's call it the Doodlebug. This is how it's supposed to work, as seen in a wartime newsreel of a German combat engineer exercise. http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=ee4_1286659015 Armor was 6mm on first version and 10mm on second, but only on the front for both. The link details the problems with this unfortunate design decision. Briefly, pretty much everything could get into its vitals from the flank and rear. http://www.militaryfactory.com/armor/detail.asp?armor_id=476 Finally, the Doodlebug is what we called a pill bug, because it could roll up into a ball, something we found remarkable as small kids. Kids love them, so calling someone Doodlebug is a term of endearment. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Armadillidiidae Regards, John Kettler 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
altipueri Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Interesting. Much about tank commanders getting shot. Lots of indirect fire. Lots of shambolic goings on - much like when I play CM. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flanker15 Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 "New weapon believed used today. Flat trajectory gun shooting a projectile with greater concussion.... results in a cloud of black smoke ... fumes similar to kerosene." What's this you think? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dieseltaylor Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 No idea. I am not even clear who has the new weapon! Interesting to see they capture a female sniper. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaeger Jonzo Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 Enjoyed reading that, thanks for sharing the links. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pak40 Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 "New weapon believed used today. Flat trajectory gun shooting a projectile with greater concussion.... results in a cloud of black smoke ... fumes similar to kerosene." What's this you think? My first thought was one of those 50mm AT guns with a panzerfaust warhead. I can't remember the name of it but there was a brief glimpse of one in Band of Brothers in the episode where they attacked Carentan. Edit: also possibly a puppchen or recoiless rifle. 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sublime Posted May 24, 2013 Share Posted May 24, 2013 My first thought was one of those 50mm AT guns with a panzerfaust warhead. I can't remember the name of it but there was a brief glimpse of one in Band of Brothers in the episode where they attacked Carentan. Edit: also possibly a puppchen or recoiless rifle. You mean the 150mm HEAT attachment on the 50mm? 0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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