WW2 and US Tank Destroyer Force

In 1939 the US Army developed a new doctrine to combat the success of German Panzer forces. The goal was to develop anti -tank units that were independent and mobile. These units could be called upon to quickly counter panzer blitzkrieg tactics. The Tank Destroyers would be held “behind the lines” and response to panzer breakthroughs with trained battalions specifically designed to destroy enemy tanks.

The battalions were either towed cannons with anti-armored shells or mobile units that were light weight and fast. These mobile units sacrificed protective metal thickness and used an open turret design to allow for greater visibility and rapid fire of armor piecing shells.

M10 Tank Destroyer (TD)

Many US tank destroyer battalions were assigned the M10 Vehicle that used a Sherman tank chassis with an open gun turret mounted with a 3-inch cannon. The M10 TD vehicle required a 5-man crew, Commander, Driver, Co-Driver, Gunner, and Loader. The 634th TD battalion consisted of 3 TD companies each with three platoons manning 4 M10 vehicles each. The battalion also had a Reconnaissance company and a Headquarter company. The total battalion force was around 650 men with 36 M10s, 48 small trucks, 21 large trucks, Six M8 Armored Cars, and 60 “M9” Bazooka

The best resource in understanding the Army Tank Destroyer units and history is the official TD website.

tankdestroyer – The largest single resource of U.S. Tank Destroyer information in the world

Overview of the 634th Tank Destroyer Battalion.

634th Tank Destroyer Battalion – tankdestroyer

Unit History: Activated at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, on 16 December 1941. Arrived in England on 10 January 1944. Landed at Utah Beach on 30 June equipped with M10’s. Committed to battle on 10 July near Carentan. Participated in Cobra breakout in late July; widely separated elements helped capture Mayenne and defeat Mortain counteroffensive in early August. Raced east to Mons, Belgium. Supported operations against Siegfried Line and capture of Aachen, Germany, in October. Fought in Hurtgen Forest in November. Moved to Belgium in December, only to race south to the Ardennes in late December. Crossed the Roer River on 25 February 1945. Pushed to Rhine River at Bonn by 9 March. Crossed river at Remagen on 15 March and supported envelopment of the Ruhr Pocket. Drove east to Harz Mountains in early April. Drove 200 miles to Czechoslovak border by 28 April.

Army M10 Tank Destroyer

M10 carried 70 rounds of ammunition. M10 would immediately fire 3-4 rounds against German tanks. The 1st round hit was critical, did not want to engage in shootout. Mobility, visibility, ambush rapid fire were the keys to success.

The median range of battle was 500 yards. The average was 700 yards.

The use of TDs were instrumental in the battle of Mortain.