TD's actions in Italy

[JaegerMeister]

Heres a link to an interesting article i stumbled across regarding M10 tank destroyers.

Enjoy!

http://www.lonesentry.com/brassingoff/

[kingofthehill]

Also the rest of the url, is very interesting.

Good!

KotH

[Hans]

An interesting quote from the article on the M10s

This TD battalion -- like others in Italy -- thinks that it should tie right in as a battalion to the divisional artillery when acting in its secondary role as artillery. Its officers are mainly artillerymen, and after spending entire months on the main front in a secondary artillery role the rest of the officers became fully qualified. Tank Destroyer battalions in this theater like to run their own show, and feel that they do better work when they do their own forward observation, fire direction, and position area survey. The tie-in with the division artillery provides for long-range harassing missions beyond the capabilities of the 105-mm howitzer M2, and makes available TD observers, particularly in the reconnaissance company, capable of adjusting the divisional artillery.

Particularly in the final phases of an enemy infantry attack, the ability of the TDs to adjust artillery fire has proved extremely valuable. When one or two members of every TD crew are qualified observers, as is the case in this battalion, every TD becomes an artillery OP. Each destroyer has its own radio and is in touch with any division artillery unit through the TD battalion's FDC.

Veerrry interesting!

[zukkov]

indeed an interesting article. i had no idea tds were tied in with the artillery!

[CombinedArms]

The home website is amazingly good as well--lots of illustrated WWII publications on US infantry and tank tactics, plus many unit histories. Wow!