Panzerkampfwagen VI Ausf.B Tiger II "11": Abandoned in Châteaudun

     In April 1943, Panzer-Versuchs-Ersatz-Abteilung (Funklenk) 300 (300th. Armored Experimental & Replacement Battalion [Radio Steering]) created 1.schwere Panzer-Kompanie (Funklenk). Units designated as Funklenk, in addition to regular tanks, were equipped with Schwerer Ladungsträger (Heavy Explosive Carrier) Borgward B IV remote-controlled demolition vehicles. In August 1943, the unit would be redesignated as Panzer-Kompanie (Funklenk) 316. By September 1943, the unit was attached to Panzer-Lehr-Regiment 190 for training. On February 19, 1944, the unit was to be equipped with Tiger II tanks. In the meantime, unit crews trained in Tiger I tanks. By April 1944, the unit had five Tiger II tanks and three refurbished Tiger I tanks on strength. Given that the Panzer-Lehr Division elected to not equip one of its Funklenk companies with tanks, it instead equipped it with assault guns and transferred the tanks off their books and onto the books of Panzer-Kompanie (Funklenk) 316. 

     On August 13, 1944, the unit was deployed to Châteaudun, equipped with only the five Tiger II tanks of which Tank “11” was one. The tanks were situated around the city, overlooking strategic points in which it was felt the U.S. 3rd. Armored Division would approach. Tank “11” was positioned along the Place de Mail (now Promenade du Mail), observing north out over the Loire River. On August 15, advance elements of the 3rd. Armored Cavalry Division were engaged by Tank “12” near the junction of Routes N10 and N824. One Jeep and one M8 armored car were destroyed and their crews captured by supporting German infantry. Tank “12” withdrew into the city along Rue de Varize. The following day, U.S. artillery fired on Tank “13” which had been spotted but to no effect. Tank “12” again battled U.S. forces and halted their advance. However, it was clear that the U.S. forces would not be halted for long and so the unit began to withdraw on August 17 under the cover of darkness. Tank “12” and Tank “13” were left behind with Tank “12” being set on fire. Tank “02”, Tank “10”, and Tank “11” moved back to Boulevard Kellerman where Tank “11” broke down and was abandoned. 

     The remaining tanks moved east along Route N155 into Varize when Tank “10” broke down. It was towed for a short distance by Tank “02” before being scuttled by its crew. The last tank made for Janville but mechanical failure caused the tank to veer sharply and run over a tree before stopping. It was abandoned on August 18, 1944 and so ended the brief history of the Tiger II tanks of Panzer-Kompanie (Funklenk) 316.

Char B1 (n° 227) “Bordeaux”: Mine Victim near Mareuil-Caubert

     Char B1 “Bordeaux” (n ° 227), following its construction, was delivered to the 510e RCC (Régiment de Chars de Combat) stationed near Nancy, France in 1938. By September 1939, “Bordeaux” was transferred to the 15e BCC, 1ère Compagnie (Bataillon de Chars de Combat; 1st. Company, Combat Tank Battalion). Once again, this time on May 18, 1940, the tank was with the 348e Compagnie Autonome de Chars de Combat (CACC; Autonomous Company of Combat Tanks) under the command of Second Lieutenant Fournier. His crew consisted of driver Sergeant Chief Rivoal, gunner/assistant driver Corporal Jacquet, and radioman Corporal Marchand. 

     On June 4, 1940, “Bordeaux” was one of many French tanks assembled to push towards Mont de Caubert, a spur of land near Mareuil-Caubert, in the closing actions of the Battle for Abbeville. With almost no intelligence on German forces in the area, French and British forces jumped off at 3am, not wishing to wait for French armor which had not made the assembly area by the time the attack was to commence. In time, French tanks arrived and advanced but ran into a minefield off the Blangy–Abbeville Road. It was also a kill zone for German anti-tank guns and artillery. 

     “Bordeaux” was one of the tanks that had struck a mine, blowing off its left track. Given the circumstances, repair was impossible and Fournier ordered the abandonment of the tank. In all, 30 Char B1 tanks and some 120 other tanks (of various makes) took part in the combat. When it was over, only 6 of the Char B1 survived and some 60 other tanks made it through the battle which was a victory for German forces, the Allies being unable to dislodge the enemy from Mareuil-Caubert and the surrounding area.

The M2A2 Light Tank: 24th. Infantry Division Line-Up

(U.S. Army Signal Corps)

     In 1933, the prototype T2 light tank was built. It utilized a suspension system similar to the British Vickers 6-ton, a tank which was influential in regards to tank development, especially in Russia and Poland. However, it was seen that the weight of the tank was too much for the suspension and so vertical volute suspension was used instead. The redesigned tank became the T2E1 and after a period of evaluation, the tank was standardized as the M2A1 light tank in 1935. Source depending, nine to nineteen M2A1 tanks, to include the initial prototype, were built. The M2A1 had a fixed turret, meaning, it could not rotate, and was armed with one .50cal. and one .30cal. Browning machine-gun. The M2A1 was quickly superseded by the M2A2 and the biggest change was the replacement of the fixed turret with two, rotating turrets. The armament was the same save the .50cal. machine-gun was in the left turret with the .30cal. machine-gun in the right turret. Each turret had an effective traverse of 270 degrees otherwise the guns would foul each other. The M2A2 was in production from 1936 to 1937 when an improved model, the M2A3, appeared in 1938. The improvements consisted of longer stroke springs for the suspension and extending the distance between the two bogies to enhance the ride, increasing armor protection, a slightly longer hull, better engine cooling, and other minor improvements. However, the turrets remained exactly as the earlier M2A2. The majority for the M2A2 and M2A3 tanks were powered by a 250hp Continental W-670 engine which gave the tank a top speed of 30mph on roads and around 18mph cross-country. For armor, the maximum thickness was 16mm with the minimum being 6mm. The .50cal. machine-gun was provided with a little over 2,000 rounds of ammunition while the .30cal. machine-gun was supplied with 7,185 rounds. By 1940, the M2A1, M2A2, and M2A3 light tanks were declared obsolete though they remained in service as training tanks early into World War Two. The twin turreted tanks had the unofficial nickname of “Mae West” which referred to the turrets representing the ample bosom of the actress who, at 4'11, had a 32C bust which, for the day, was a bit above the average.

     The M2A2 tanks in the photograph belong to the 24th. Infantry Division, known as the “Victory Division”, and this is told by the insignia which consisted of a green taro leaf outlined in yellow on a red background surrounded by a black circle. This was an homage to the unit's previous incarnation as the Hawaiian Division. It is likely the tanks belonged to the unit's 24th. Reconnaissance Troop as other photographs show the crossed sabers of the cavalry on the turret sides. Also just visible on the front of the hull was the armored forces insignia which consisted of a World War One tank over a pair of crossed rifles. The division took part in the defense of Oahu, Hawaii on December 7, 1941 and it would remain on the island until May 1943 when it deployed to Australia to train before going into combat during Operation Reckless, the landings on Japanese held Dutch New Guinea which kicked off on April 22, 1944. Later, the division took part in battles on Leyte and Luzon, Philippines and would later occupy Japan following the Japanese surrender.

     The only M2 light tank series to see actual combat were M2A4 models which reverted to a single turret armed with a 37mm gun, the last of the 365 built being completed in March 1941. Some fifty of the tanks were employed in Guadalcanal in 1942 by the 1st. Tank Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps when they landed on the island on August 7, 1942. There are claims that some M2A3E3 (which used a Guiberson diesel engine) tanks saw combat in Burma. The M2A4 led directly to the M3 light tank which saw extensive action in all theaters of the war. 

     As for the 24th. Infantry Division, it was inactivated on August 1, 2006 after seeing combat in the Korean War and the Gulf War. Given the unit's extensive history and battle accolades, it remains second on a list to be reactivated if the U.S. Army requires it.