10 July 1944 Tomorrow we head for Normandy. I am filled with excitement about what lies ahead. I know it will be challenging, but I believe myself, my officers and soldiers of A Company 37th Tank battalion are up to the challenges. Honestly, am very eager to get into the fight.
We prepared our equipment for transport. The seventeen tanks, six halftracks, two deuce and a halves and two jeeps are all lashed aboard the transport ship and we are all currently assigned to the ship in Portsmouth, England. The air is electric with anticipation. Every man is thinking about how they will perform under fire. They must wonder, if they will survive this encounter with the enemy. I know I do. I hope I survive as I wish to see my wife and children when this war is over. It will end someday, I am sure of this.
The Colonel hosted a get together for all the officers and senior NCOs in the battalion at the local pub. He rented a room in the back and we drank each other under the table. It was a lot of fun and a good way to vent any excessive anxiety we may have felt. The men were permitted to go into town and do whatever they wanted as well. That usually translates into drinking large volumes of alcohol and making asses out of themselves in front of the local women.
Lieutenant Pemberton from C Company go so drunk he pulled out his pecker and urinated in the corner of the room. Around 2100 hours, a group of six women with loose morals entered the room to entertain us. We were told not to touch them and I was fine with that. I kept thinking about my Jean back home. The whole thing made me somewhat uncomfortable, but I was still curious just the same. There was this red-haired woman with some of the largest breasts I have ever seen in my life. They were nearly the size of basketballs. I am not kidding. They were unbelievable.
It was a very humorous and pleasurable event. I can say with a hundred percent certainty, no one died. I guess this was our last hoorah before the big game. Not sure what tomorrow holds, but we can say we had the time of our lives tonight. I’m beat, time to go to bed.
Jean Tyler 27 Cranberry Dr. Watertown, NY 13601
1LT Arthur Tyler A Co. 37th Tank Battalion APO NY 09012
10 July 1944
My Dearest Jean, I truly miss you, sweetheart. It has been a very long time since last we spoke. I do hope this war ends soon so that we can pick up where we left off. Is Robert walking yet? I would assume so, he is 15 months old now.
They are sending us into France soon. I can’t tell you when, just that we will participate in this business I was hired to perform. I know you are not excited about it. Honestly, I am not either, but I am prepared to do my job. I have an excitement about what is to come I cannot explain. I will do whatever it takes to come home to you, my love.
Jacob broke a wrist the other day. I know you remember Jacob, one of the Lieutenants in the battalion. We graduated from Boston College together. He went on a date with your friend, Martha. He is still coming with the unit over to France. I’m not sure exactly what the doctors have told him he can and cannot do. I intend for him to have light duty until his cast is removed.
Please tell me what is going on back home. How are the kids doing? How are mom and dad? What about the Yankees? Are they having a good year? I don’t get to see all the baseball news here in England. I’ll have to rely on your reports to let me know.
Herman Morrison 4 Yorktown Lane Lancaster, PA 67981
PVT Lewis Morrison A Co. 37th Tank Battalion APO PA 79062
10 July 1944
Dear Father and Mother,
I hope this letter finds you in good health.
We are going to France soon—I cannot say when. Safe to say, my kit is all complete and I have eaten already. Do not worry, I am surrounded by good men and working equipment. I do not expect we will run into anything dangerous just yet.
I know the both of you do not want me here. You want me home, back on the farm, where the only dangerous things are the sharp ends of the hoes in the shed. Papa, I know you do not want me holding a gun. It was because the last time you held a gun, back in 1917, you lost your leg. But I will not lose any of my limbs here, Papa. I will keep my eyes peeled, my noggin sharp, and my fellow soldiers always at my side. Do not worry about me. Wherever I am, and whatever I am doing, I am serving the country.
Mama, do not worry about me. The food is good here. A few hours ago, we ate fried eggs and french fries in the pub with all of the other soldiers. I have already made friends with my assistant mortarman. His name is Andy Holling, and we met during basic training. I think you remember him—in one of my previous letters I mentioned how he could guzzle an entire half chicken in one go in the company mess. Either way, we have promised to stick together, thick or thin.
How is the farm doing? The summer harvest is about to roll in. Is little Benny going to school? For his sake, I hope he does. He loves reading. Maybe I will bring back some books from France. Someday, he is going to go to college and earn thousands in an office job.
How are the Phillies? They will bounce back this year, I know it. How is the old man Baker doing? I can still remember his booming, rumbling laugh as he drives down the dirt lane, peddling candy and ice cream. He will live a long time.
I have nothing but love for all of you. Send Grandpapa my regards.
14 July 1944 We arrived in France two days ago. We were stuck on that bloody ship too long if you ask me. I am so glad I never joined the Navy. I could not stand the constant rocking of the ship in the waves of the English Channel. I must have thrown up a dozen times.
We spent the rest of the day unloading our vehicles from the ship and moving the company to its staging area about five kilometers southwest of Utah Beach. Yes, we disembarked at Utah Beach on the Normandy coastline.
The Battalion S1, Captain Perkins informed the battalion staff and unit leaders last night that Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. died of a heart attack on Wednesday, 12 July. What is truly amazing, is General Roosevelt was the highest ranking American officer to come ashore on D-Day. He survived that harrowing experience on the beaches, just so he could die of a heart attack not 20 kilometers from where we are sitting now. He was only 56 years old. My father and grandfather both had much respect for his father, the 26th President of the United States. I recall reading about his exploits in Cuba during the Spanish-American War. He was an awe inspiring leader. A young officer like myself could learn from him. This was another tragic loss to the nation and to the US Army.
During our S2 Intelligence briefing we were informed of a large concentration of German armor southwest of Caen along the Odon River, north of the Orne River. We were told the I SS Panzer Corps consisting of the 1st SS Panzer Division (Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler), 2nd SS Panzer Division (Das Reich) and the 12th SS Panzer Division (HitlerJugend) and the II SS Panzer Corps consisting of the 9th SS Panzer Division (Hohenstaufen) and the 10th SS Panzer Division (Frundsberg). We are told these are the elite troops of Germany’s vaunted Panzer formations using Panzer Mark IVs, Mark V (Panthers) and Mark VI (Tiger) tanks. All five of these divisions have experience fighting on the Eastern Front against the Russians. Next, it will be our turn.
Early reports tell us the M4 Sherman will light up like a Bronson lighter when struck by an Armor Piercing (AP) round fired from either of these tanks. British armored commanders say that the best way to attack the Panthers and Tigers is from the rear. It is a wasted shot to even try to hit one in the front, they have such thick steel armor. I sure hope the S3 has a plan for how we maneuver our tanks into the enemy’s rear. I am also told that our M18 Hellcats are the fastest tanks in Europe right now. We may need to test their speed against the German Panzers.
We shall be placed in Division Reserve for now, until they have a mission for us. This will give us plenty of time to get acclimated to our surroundings, drill on tank fighting tactics and insure our tanks are maintained properly.
The 4th Infantry Division is slowly being pulled out of the line and our 4th armor division is being put into action in the positions they are vacating.
16 July 1944 The operations order has been issued. The 1st platoon will be leading followed by the 2nd platoon and then the Assault Gun platoon. The armored infantry platoon will follow the 2nd platoon and I will travel with the 1st platoon. Colonel Abrams informed me that he will lead the 1st platoon, the tip of the 4th Armored Division as we roll into combat for our first time tomorrow morning. It will be an early rise and our tanks will be rolling before the sun comes up. I hope to make another entry into this journal tomorrow or soon after our first contact with the enemy.
15th July 1944 Sorry for taking so long to write one simple letter to everyone. You know how it goes. I am busy finishing off the Germans with other important military fellows. Hell, I ended up at a party down at some English pub before we left for France. It was fun to celebrate and hang out with the others before our work began. Anyway, I have safely arrived at France with all of my limbs intact. I felt like writing this letter to tell y'all that I am still alive and well. And I got the letter about Joseph. I can't believe that he is growing up so fast. Felt like ages since I last saw him. I hope that he still remembers Uncle Clifford when I come back home.
Anyway, I am feeling a lot better that I have wrote this short letter. Also, the beaches of Normandy is a sight to see. Amazing to see the place where hundreds of people died during the D-Day invasion. Thankfully, this war might be over in the matter of months and I can finally come home. Good luck and stay safe while working in the factories.
One more thing, I will be sure to take some pictures of villages in France for the couple (I am talking to you Julia and Wyatt).
Your pal, Clifford Cox.
16th July 1944 I am hopeful that today's operations are fruitful and our platoons gets to kill some Germans. I am going with 1st platoon to see the action up close while providing my skills during the fighting. Unrelated to today's operations, I just learned that Theodore Roosevelt Jr. died a few days before we landed. Imagine getting on the beaches of Normandy, ready to fight for your country against the enemy. Then, you died of a heart attack. It's sad when someone as important as Theodore dies before they could even begin their mission. Hell, I would be pissed that I died without doing anything impactful. Thankfully, I am young and healthy.
I will be lasting for a long time. Anyway, I will be writing again whenever we start fighting the enemy forces. I hope that God is with us and protecting us while we fight the enemies of freedom.
St-Mere-Eglise, France 2100 hrs July 16th, 1944 Overcast 66° F
The 37th finally shipped five or so days back. We're in France now, liberating it from the Nazis. When we drove ashore at Utah Beach, I was astonished at the fact that the battle looked like it happened just yesterday, sans any corpses. Shell craters, shattered stakes, torn barbed wire, and dented hedgehogs were the most of what we saw until we rolled inland. We passed a lot of villages and towns, some of them almost completely destroyed. It's unthinkable how much damage those flyboys did. All's fair, I guess.
Every night we made camp, and even while we made the drive to the front, French citizens frequently walked up to thank us or offer cigarettes and alcohol. Some stayed back and just flashed "V"s with their pointer and middle fingers at us while speaking from afar. Sometimes kids walk up and we hand give them our fudge disks, gum, and sometimes some sugar cubes. We never get to know them much aside from that night.
We're in St-Mere-Eglise tonight, just a few miles from the front. We're due to relieve the 4th Infantry Division starting tomorrow, and are apart of some op starting in a week. I think the Lieutenant called it Operation Cobra. Either way, I'll be taking the M2 on our third halftrack and have been instructed to only dismount when the halftrack is damaged. A further sentence is heavily scribbled out by graphite marks.
The Lieutenant just gave us the lights out order, according to the Sergeant. Here's to an early morning and a well-fought victory.
PFC Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div.
NORMANDY BEACHHEAD FRANCE, July 15, 1944 -- The beachhead that is the entrance
to the heart of the Nazi war machine. I can't begin to understand what it must have been like here over a month earlier. The shoreline is pockmarked with the holes of artillery and naval gun fire, giving a surreal almost otherworldly look to the brown sands of Normandy.
Little remains of the massive undertaking that was the battle upon the sands of these fifty odd miles of beach. The Allied engineers gave little thought to the placement of derelict tanks and vehicles of war as the beaches were cleared of all major obstacles following the success of the landings. There were armies of men waiting to come ashore after all. Thousands of tonnes of materials, and so many vehicles stock piled on Britain that the ones that had been simply pushed up against the cliff sides were but a drop in the bucket of what had been and would be committed to the greatest undertaking the free world had ever embarked upon.
The Tankers of 37th Tank Battalion and the men of the 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion made their landing just hours after mine. The massive LSTs opened their mouths and lowered their tongues onto the beach, seeming to spit out the M2 tanks as if they had simply eaten too much for breakfast. The whole operation seemed to move slowly. The act of moving the lumbering machines of war from the vessels, over the beaches and to their staging area farther inland was a feat among itself, but that was coupled with the many LCI's and smaller craft that brought in the two Battalions worth of men, smaller vehicles, weaponry, and supplies. By the end of the day the job was complete and the eager men of the 53rd could be heard as they made their way up the beaches talking about the fight to come and the victories they would surely win.
Their eagerness was all there. Their willingness to rush head long into the jaws of the Nazi menace was the exact reason they were standing on this beach in Normandy. It was the reason that ordinary men like you and I had been able to land here just a month ago and lay down everything, because they knew the men to follow would be just as willing to do the same if it meant the survival of the very liberty and freedom they had come to love.
16 July 1944 Our advance has been delayed another week. Everyone was excited to get into combat, but it appears this is not going to happen anytime soon. We continue to drill and prepare for our day in the sun. What will it be like?
This afternoon, there was a promotion ceremony on the field we have taken over as our parade field. I knew it was coming eventually, I didn’t know today was going to be the day. The Colonel promoted me to Captain today with orders effective 1 July 1944. He also promoted two of the platoon leaders to First Lieutenant. Later, I was able to promote several of the enlisted soldiers. My operations sergeant, Cliff Cox was promoted to Staff Sergeant. He probably secretly wants to return to a platoon and serve as a platoon sergeant. I intend to ask him that later today. But for now, he will continue to serve as the Operations Sergeant. We also promoted two soldiers to Sergeant, three to Corporal, three to Technician 5th Grade and seven soldiers to Private First Class.
A local provided us with seventy bottles of French Wine to celebrate the promotions. I couldn’t help but find some humor in his donation to a worthy cause. We definitely took him up on the offer. I believe all contents of those bottles were emptied before the evening was over. Wine and soldiers go together like children and candy.
17 July 1944 I was wrong! I got the call at 0500 hours to be prepared to move. It was painful. I now regret drinking all that wine yesterday. I called the platoon leaders, the first sergeant and SSG Cox. It was time to roll. I’m sure many of the men were hungover from their evening of debauchery. I guess the joke was on me.
By 0600, our tanks were lined up according to the previous operations order and we began our march forward in a south by southeasterly direction. Colonel Abrams’ tank followed mine in the order of march. He stood as erect as he could in the hatch of his tank. I felt obligated to follow his example. I forced myself to overcome my fear of being shot just to set the example for the rest in the company. How would it look if the Colonel stood erect in his turret while the company commander slouched down to just head level? Fear.
At around 0900 we passed through the 4th Infantry Division positions and were now in Indian country. The lead tank in the column kept its barrel pointed straight ahead at 12 O’clock. The 2nd tank’s barrel was pointed to the right at around 2 O’clock and the third tank’s barrel was pointed to the left at around 10 O’clock. Every tank after that alternated their barrels left and right, not knowing where the Germans would show up.
1000 Hours; first platoon reports contact with two German Self Propelled Vehicles (SP). These should be the Jagdpanzer IV with a 75mm cannon. It is a low silhouette vehicle but very difficult to aim as the gun barrel is fixed forward. The gunner can only traverse a few degrees left or right. The driver and gunner must be synchronized in order to be effective. The battalion Intelligence officer (S2) told us that the experienced crews on these SP guns were very good at what they do. The disadvantage for us is the vehicle is so small, the gunner needs to be deadly accurate. Otherwise the cannons are about the same as our 76mm.
The first platoon leader reported his lead vehicle got off two shots. The SPs fired two shots at them and all rounds missed. We continued to march. I specifically ordered them not to charge after the enemy so quickly as they might just draw us into an ambush. But with the first shots of the war being fired, I’m sure everyone is on edge and alert; looking for the enemy anywhere.
I ordered the vehicles to move at 10-15 MPH. It is better to travel at a slower rate of march so that the second and third platoons as well as the infantry can charge in if needed. So far, we haven’t had to deploy the rest of the company yet. It is slow, but safer this way.
We only made it as far as Cretteville where we bivouacked for the evening, keeping sentries up all night long. The infantry platoon pulled security and conducted dismounted patrols into the countryside to our west and south.
18 July 1955 The Infantry platoon leader reported a German concentration of armor and infantry just north of Saint-Jores. They have identified three Panzer Mark IV tanks, two SPs and three halftracks with roughly 20 infantry. I have reported this to the Battalion Commander. He wants us to handle this location. He is going to deploy B Company to our left and C Company to our right in support. I will put 1st and 2nd Platoon abreast with the Infantry and Assault gun platoon in support. As we make contact, the Assault gun platoon and the infantry platoon will remain together, making an end run to hit the enemy on their flanks while they are engaging the two Sherman platoons in their front.
We moved out at 1400 hours after rest and orders dissemination. I thought we would be able to move faster through the open ground, but there are hedgerows everywhere we go. They slow us down. The first platoon lost a tank trying to push through the thick bushes. The tank threw a track and the crew are trying to repair it. We need a bull dozer to get through these damn hedgerows. We have looked for openings and have been able to take advantage of a few. At the rate we are moving, it will be nightfall before we make it to the enemy position. We will have to bivouac only a thousand yards from their position.
I second guessed myself. I decided to keep pushing, even if it means we are shooting in the dark. I don’t like it. There are too many opportunities for fratricide. But we kept pushing.
By 2000 hours, we reached a hedgerow and started taking fire at only 200 meters. A round ricocheted off my Sherman. The first two platoons along with the BC and myself stuck our barrels through the bushes and began firing in the direction of the enemy. If you think the colonel was being rash sticking himself out of the turret the way he was, I did something stupid. I stepped out of the tank with my binoculars and looked over the top of the hedges to see if I could see the enemy. They were right in front of us; three Mark IVs and two SPs. Their infantry had dismounted and were firing two MG 42s in our direction. That revelation forced me back into my turret. I immediately ordered the assault gun platoon and the infantry to maneuver to the right and hit them on their left.
By 2200 hours, Saint-Jores was clear with two surviving Mark IVs heading south. We knocked out the two SPs and one of the Mark IVs. We also managed to secure eight German prisoners which will be turned over to the S2 shop.
We did lose one tank in the first platoon. The driver, PFC Marin, who I promoted two days ago and the bow machine gunner, Private Tarkenton were both killed in the burning wreck. These were our first brothers killed in action. I’ll have to write letters to their mothers. This is not a pleasant day after all.
19 July 1944 We spent the night on the southwest side of Saint Jores. The Infantry patrols report at least a platoon of Wehrmacht infantry dug in only two kilometers away. It is difficult to see them through the hedgerows. The Infantry plotted their coordinates and we called in 105mm howitzer fire on the position just before we left. This morning, 2nd Platoon is leading and 1st platoon is in reserve. I suspect those Mark IVs are in the area.
1000: We made contact with the enemy. I ordered the infantry to move up on line with the 2nd platoon. Both platoons had a heated engagement with the enemy across a distance of only a hundred yards. The first platoon and the assault gun platoon advanced on the enemy’s left flank and ran into the two Mark IVs. One of the enemy tanks got away and one is now a burning wreck. We lost no tanks on this engagement, but did take three wounded during the firefight at Le Plessis-Lastelle.
I have put in requests for a replacement tank, two armor crewmen and three infantrymen. Two infantry sergeants are being put in for the Bronze Star for their heroics in eliminating the enemy position.
We advanced as far as Le Petit-Saint Germain to establish a bivouac and eat a hot A. We ate mashed potatoes and boiled chicken with corn for dinner. Oh my. That could have been a gourmet meal. I have never tasted anything so delicious. It was much better than the canned C-Rations we have been eating the past two days.
One of the tank crews asked if they could join an infantry squad on a patrol tonight. At first I was reluctant to allow them to do so, but eventually gave in.
20 July 1944 During the night, I heard a loud raucous of gunfire coming from the direction of Saint-Patrice-de-Claids. I could not sleep after that and remained awake. Sergeant Cox apparently couldn’t sleep either. He had a pot of coffee on and I was able to get my canteen cup filled. Thank God for Staff Sergeant Cox. He is a savior.
When the infantry came back into the perimeter around 0430 hours, they were carrying someone in a poncho. It was Corporal Melvin Banks, gunner in the 2nd platoon. He was killed in action in a firefight at 0300 near a church at Saint Patrice. I knew I should not have allowed the tankers to go on dismounted patrols. That will not happen again. I will let the company know I cannot afford to lose another armor crewman in this manner. I need them to operate their tanks not their M3 Grease guns. I was pretty upset about this and let the company know about it after they woke up. Well, the platoon leaders and platoon sergeants felt my wrath. The 1SG and SSG Cox heard it too.
We mounted our vehicles after breakfast or just after day break and advanced only as far as La Regnauderie, just west of Periers. The Colonel wants to send C Company to check out the city tomorrow. We may have to reinforce them or be prepared to continue the march south.
21 July 1944 This day was pretty uneventful. We dug in our infantry and applied camouflage to our tanks. The men took advantage of this respite to cook food over open fires or on the back decks of hteir vehicles. The engines produce sufficient heat for cooking food. The Germans made no attempt to attack our positions. B Company was in position to our right while C Company made a reconnaissance in force toward Periers.
Around 2130 hours, we heard a tremendous firefight going on in the direction of Periers. The Platoon leaders, 1SG, SSG Cox and myself listened to the radio messages between C Company and battalion headquarters. Artillery fired on positions in southern Periers. It was quite a sound lasting for no less than ninety minutes.
22 July 1944 From what I could gather. C Company locked horns with a platoon of Tiger tanks on the outskirts of Periers. They lost five tanks and managed to destroy two Tigers before they disengaged. Two platoons of Wehrmacht infantry engaged a company from the 53rd armored infantry in house to house fighting in the streets of Perier. By 2300 hours, the enemy had withdrawn to the south.
0700: We continued our advance south. 2nd Platoon is leading with 1st platoon trailing and the infantry and assault gun platoon following. We stopped at the outskirts of Saint Sauveur-Lendelin. Again, the colonel wanted to check out the city and this job was going to D Company. C Company was held in reserve and B Company was again on our right.
1000: A new tank arrived with two additional armor crewmen and three infantrymen. Replacements have arrived. This replacement system is pretty quick. They obviously had these soldiers at their replacement detachment somewhere just waiting for people to die or to go to the hospital. What a business this is, dying and sending more young men in to die. It is both horrifying and amazing. I cannot believe I am here doing this. Sometimes I feel like I just want to cry.
Jean Tyler 27 Cranberry Dr. Watertown, NY 13601
CPT Arthur Tyler A Co. 37th Tank Battalion APO NY 09012
21 July 1944
My Dearest Jean, I truly miss you, sweetheart. I wish you would write. Maybe you have and the letters just have not made it to me yet. Maybe there is a backlog in Britain? Maybe there is a ton of mail coming our way and no one was prepared for such an avalanche of mail to be flooding into the United Kingdom.
Anyway, we landed in France last week. It was pretty uneventful, but those were busy days getting the equipment unloaded and moving over the beaches at Normany. I don’t know if you have noticed, but I was promoted on the 16th of July. My orders are effective 1 July 1944. This bring a few more dollars into the household for your and the boys.
Jacob appears to be doing well. I spoke to him a few days ago. He is still working and claims his wrist is not bothering him. That is truly amazing with this work we are doing.
Two days ago the mess section prepared this boiled chicken and mashed potato meal for us. I tell you, it was the most delicious thing I have tasted since I have been in Europe. Well, maybe that is because most of my meals have been coming cold out of a tin can lately. I can’t stop thinking about it. I hear we are going to have another hot meal tonight or tomorrow.
I can’t tell you where I am. I can say that I have seen some Germans up close and they look tired. They have not given up the desire to fight, but most of the ones I have seen look like they really do not want to be here. I saw this 16-year old German kid a few days ago. He was crying his eyes out. Maybe it was because we spanked their butts pretty hard. Maybe he just misses his mom.
I would still like to know what is going on back home. How are the kids doing? How are mom and dad? What about the Yankees? Are they having a good year? I don’t get to see all the baseball news here in France.
Cretteville, France 1900 hrs July 17th, 1944 Partly Cloudy 71° F
Might as well start with the good news. The now-Captain saw it fit to frock me and then eventually get the paperwork to promote me to Technician Grade 5. It's no double stripes, but at least I'm moving up in the world. I sewed on my new chevrons last night after lights out. It's mighty nice to be wearing something other than a single stripe.
Now on to the melancholy news. First contact was today. Early rise at 0500, set out at 0600. I won't lie, a good portion of my buddies, and even the Captain looked hungover as all hell. Must've been from that Chateau 'wine-tasting' party. Everyone from the Sergeant to the Captain got their buzz. I'll admit, I took a few gulps from a bottle, and I was a bit tipsy. But by no means was I hungover in the morning.
Anyways, back to first contact. The 4th Infantry Division withdrew for R&R and we were on the advance by 0600. By 0900 we passed through the withdrawing 4th ID, and kept the roll going. 1000 hours and the Lieutenant reported that first platoon had contact, but we were moving again soon enough.
It's 1900 now and we've made camp at Cretteville. Our pickets and sentries are posted and thank God my name wasn't drawn from that hat. Don't wanna be up much past lights out. The next sentence is jotted down, as is the signature. Speaking of.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div. St-Jores, France 2300 hrs July 18th, 1944 Partly Cloudy 68° F
Today was the real first engagement on the part of the infantry. Our platoon spotted a good concentration of tanks and infantry just north of St-Jores. We held back till 1400 when what seemed like the whole battalion began the assault. The infantry and assault guns were in reserve for a good portion of the engagement.
This was until about 2030 when the infantry and assault guns were ordered to flank right and hit them in their left flank. We ran up on the entire force and caught 'em with their pants down. I must've scored about three Nazis and one of their halftracks before they withdrew.
By 2200 we'd whipped 'em and they were on their way south with their tail between their legs. We made camp at 2230 and of course I was drawn for sentry duty by the Lieutenant. My shift starts at 0200 and goes to 0300 before getting relieved. Better grab some shut-eye before then.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div. Le Petit-Saint Germain, France 1730 hrs July 19th, 1944 Sunny 81° F
Sentry duty was eventful. During my shift a patrol sighted at least a platoon of Wehrmacht and scrambled us picket teams. The squad of lucky sentries assembled and we plotted their courses on one of the Sergeants' maps. Didn't sleep after my shift ended. Heard artillery got called on them. Hope they burned in Hell.
Worse yet, the infantry platoon was sent forward with the 2nd platoon. Didn't seem to cease fire the entire time. Used half of .50 Browning ammo reserve. Two malfunctions sustained during the firefight. Will have to inquire with maintenance if cleaning doesn't fix it.
Just finished some A rations. Chicken and corn. Welcome difference from the C-cans or the overcooked whole chicken the Corporal tried to pass off as edible after getting it from a local and cooking it himself. Too tired to continue for today. Here's to welcome sleep.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div. La Regnauderie, France 1600 hrs July 20th, 1944 Sunny 83° F
Today was pretty uneventful. We continued the advance southwards and encountered little to no resistance in the push. Hopefully they've just given up, cut off their swastika armbands, and gone home. I guess it's just wishful thinking.
Finally got a good bit of sleep last night. Slept a lot better knowing that we sent the krauts running. Scrawling in this book gets me thinking about how long this'll go on for. Seems like every day's a year's length. The Lieutenant said we'd be home by Christmas. Damn do I hope so.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div. La Regnauderie, France 2130 hrs July 21st, 1944 Partly Cloudy 76° F
Yet another day with no Germans. Better yet, we didn't even move. They had us on standby but there was no push. They even had us dig some shell-scrape fighting holes to sit in. Maybe the Germans giving up isn't too high of a hope.
One of the tank commanders had a set of grill bars on his Sherman's engine earlier. Some local'd given him a chicken, some booze, and he'd acquired some seasoning from the battalion mess unit. Now this man was Cajun as Cajuns come. He laid to that bird with beer and seasoning as it cooked. I could've sworn I was back home when I bit into it. His crew and our squad all enjoyed a bit of it and we all joked with the Corporal about his terrible cooking skills compared to the Cajun.
There's a massive amount of fire and artillery coming from the south. From ear it sounds like our guns, but what do I know? I just shoot the Browning.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div. Saint Sauveur-Lendelin, France 2000 hrs July 22nd, 1944 Mostly Sunny 79° F
Third lazy day in a row. Really pulled a lucky hand on this one. We resumed the push, though. Not enough to write about today. Got a few replacements from battalion, apparently. Haven't met 'em. Oop, lights out.
TCH5 Earl F. Ball Co. A, 37th Tank Btn., 4th Armored Div.
1LT Arthur Tyler A Co. 37th Tank Battalion APO NY 09012
Jean Tyler 27 Cranberry Dr. Watertown, NY 13601
8 July 1944
My Dearest Art, Tell me you are still in England. I am in no hurry for you to rush into this disastrous war. I know this Mr. Hitler person is not a nice guy and the war has to be fought, but why does it have to be you? Please promise me, you will come home. I don’t want to hear about any terrible battle you have been in or any risk you may have taken. Just promise me you will come home to your loving family.
Your son Robert took his first steps last week. It was big. I know some people do things in their own time, but you may remember Jonathan started walking at 11 months. Robert appears to be a bit slower at this. He did say, “dada” yesterday. He obviously misses his father and would like to see you. Jonathan asked about you too.
Your mom is hosting a cooking contest in Albany next weekend. They are using the American Legion hall, bringing in tables and stoves and ovens specifically for the contest. She is really excited about this, loving to be right in the thick of it.
I hate to tell you this, honey, but your dad had a stroke this week. He is fine and back on his feet. He just needs to take things slower. But you know your dad. He can’t slow down. He should probably resign as Ward Representative for the Common Council in Albany. I know he has held a political office in the city for the past 16 years, but he is pushing 60 and maybe he should consider retirement?
I know you like to keep up with the New York Yankees. They are not my team. Go Boston! But since I love you, I will tell you the Yankees are currently in third place in the American League. They beat the St. Louis Browns in St. Louis yesterday. I listened to the game on the radio while the boys played. Nick Etten hit a home run and Johnny Lindell drove in three runs with a triple in the ninth inning to win it. The score was 4-3. It was a real nail biter. It seemed fantastic to pull out the win so late in the game.
I hear Robert crying. I must wrap this letter up for now. I hope you stay safe and come home as soon as you can.
I Love You!
Jean
23 July 1944 The morning brought a rude awakening. Elements of the 2nd SS Panzer Division (Das Reich) hit us hard. It was their Tigers C Company bumped into at Perriers. We are no longer facing a Wehrmacht Infantry Division. These are veterans of the Eastern Front. These German SS soldiers facing us today fought against the Russians at Kursk last year. I recall reading an article on that battle. It was the largest armored engagement of the war. The Germans fielded 3,000 tanks while the Russians had over 5,000. Some of the engagements were at closer than point blank range. This is going to be a tough few days. They are supported by the remnants of the German 6th Falschirmjager Regiment who fought against the paratroopers of the 101st Screaming Eagles on the days following the D-Day landings.
24 July 1944 I was not able to write any more in my journal yesterday. Like I predicted, it was a busy day. The 2nd SS Panzer hit us early yesterday morning. I lost three tanks in the first hour. They brought up a mix of Panther and Mark IV tanks as well as a few SPs. Their numbers were close to equaling ours. The Assault gun platoon claims to have taken out three of their tanks. But the end game was such that we were forced to move back to La Plattiere, just over a kilometer north of our earlier gains.
By 1900 hours last night the company was dug in at La Plattiere with seven Shermans, three Hellcats and five halftracks remaining. We lost five Shermans, two Hellcats and one halftrack. Personnel losses in yesterday’s action was 14 tank crewmen dead, and 19 wounded. We lost five infantrymen dead and six wounded. The German Panther was really challenging. I have a lot of letters to write. I do not look forward to that grim task.
I met with the Battalion Commander this morning. He has issued a new operations order starting tomorrow morning, we are making our drive towards Coutances. This is the beginning of Operation Cobra. Naturally, our 4th Armor Division is going to be at the front of the advance. We will be attacking the 2nd SS Panzer in some of the same places they hit us yesterday. The old man says our replacements will be available later today. I view this news as both good and bad. I would lie if I said we didn’t need the people or the vehicles, but on the other hand, these new guys do not know us and we do not know them. We won’t have any time to rehearse anything with them before we attack into one of Germany’s elite Panzer formations. I do not look forward to tomorrow.
The old man was right on. We received reinforcements after dinner. We received five brand new Sherman tanks, two Hellcats and a halftrack. We got in 35 new tank crewmen including two Sergeants and three Corporals. We also received eleven Infantrymen, all of whom are Privates or PFCs fresh from the States.
I submitted an award recommendation for the Silver Star with Valor for Technician 5th Grade Earl Ball, who was promoted just last week. We probably won’t see the approval on this award recommendation for another month or more. There were three other soldiers both Infantry and Armor submitted for the Silver Star and ten more for the Bronze Star. Let’s see if these guys get the awards I know they deserve. I mention Tech5 Bell because he is now mortar squad leader since Sergeant Tommy Baker and Corporal Norman Lee were both Killed in Action during the fight. Sergeant Baker is being submitted for the Silver Star (posthumously) also. Andy Holling was struck by shrapnel to his left thigh and was medically evacuated to the rear. Depending on the damage to his leg, he may lose it. Somehow Tech5 Bell survived the attack; lucky man.
I had to transfer SSG Cox to a Platoon Sergeant Position. He is now tank commander in the second section in his platoon. I didn’t have a choice anymore with all the losses we took yesterday. I know he will do well. He is a solid NCO. I can get by without an Operations Sergeant for a while. I will ask the Battalion Commander if he has anyone at Battalion I could borrow.
25 July 1944 Both the 90th Infantry Division on our right and the 83rd Infantry Division on our left made forays into the 2nd SS Panzer Division to begin Operation Cobra. One hour after these two divisions engaged the enemy, the 37th Tank Battalion, led by B Company punched a hole in the enemy’s defensive positions.
B Company got bogged down momentarily, but by 1300 hours, our A Company passed through the German position fighting with our B Company. I saw two burning Shermans as we bypassed their fight.
We made it as far as Perriers and engaged a platoon of Tigers and roughly a company of German paratroopers. Our Infantry platoon dismounted, while our tanks provided them with supporting fire. A reserve company from the 53rd Armoured Infantry came up to support our platoon's assault.
Fighting around Perriers lasted until 2200 hours with us holding the town and the Germans withdrawing to the south.
The day’s losses included two Shermans, one of which had been in the company’s compliment for less than one day. I never knew the five soldiers who died in that tank. The other tank was led by 1st Lieutenant Roger Campbell. Roger was a graduate of West Point class of 1942. He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant just last week. SSG Cox will replace Lieutenant Campbell as Platoon Leader. I am confident Staff Sergeant Cox can handle the Platoon at least until we get a new Lieutenant in from the Replacement Detachment. The stack of letters I must write is getting larger.
