Dad served in the 11th Armored Div’s signal company. The Div entered Cherbourg from about 15-21 Dec and moved southwest until alerted for movement in response to the German counteroffensive. It then conducted a forced march thru Paris to Belgium, where it was committed to combat on 30 Dec as JD says. B-7 was hit in its first engagement, with three crewmen being killed, and two getting out and being captured. The vehicle was ID’d as a 10th AD tank for decades until a researcher found a serial number and revealed its true identity. The 11th ended its war in Austria, where elements of its Cav Squadron liberated the Mauthausen death camp. Took Dad back to Europe in ‘07 to retrace the unit’s movements, something we called the ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ for us young ‘uns.
A family friend was in the 11th AD. He was on a 57mm AT gun crew. He told me some about his experience, especially in the Ardennes. Much respect to your Dad.
General Patton unfairly criticised the 11th Armored in the Bastogne fighting saying they were "very green and took unnecessary casualties to no effect".
As a Belgian I've crossed Bastogne many times, especially back in the days when our parents took us to the Ardennes and beyond, coming at it from a yearly hiking vacation spot point of view. How we remembered the tank as a reference to which direction in the broader region we were heading; and how I can remember to this day, the remarkable 'atmosphere' in the town. Yet we never got shared the history and many sticking stories of the area and the Battle of the Bulge in general at that times. Our late father had been long serving the Belgian army himself, post-war ages that is; perhaps he felt he didn't have the right or means to share the countless stories; as at the same time, I remember how almost silently grateful he presented the VHS taped episodes of Band of Brothers many years later. Certainly, a return to the Bastogne region is on the checklist for the next year(s); as I can start thinking of how to guide our own children throught it at the best possible way. Hopefully BoB will still be available to save me later, while our father is watching from above.
SSGT Wallace Alexander was buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA. He was originally buried overseas but was brought home by his family to be buried in the United States. His 4 tank mates survived the war. 10:51
I became acquainted with a Belgian chef in 2008 named Jean-Pierre Marechal who was working for Marriott in Charlotte NC whose family was caught up in the Battle of the Bulge. Their stories as refugees trying to avoid the Germans are harrowing. I always found it interesting that Jean-Pierre pronounced it Bas-Tone-Yah. He took a trip home once and since he knew of my great interest in the battle and the 101st that he brought me a box of brochures and materials from the museums there. I was deeply touched to find included a patch from his grandfather's uniform in WW1!
You should visit Belgium it is a very interesting country and so much to see and learn regarding their WW1/WW2 history. Bastogne is in the wallonia region of Belgium where they speak French rather than Flemish and the pronunciation 'Bas-Tone-Yah' is because the French don't pronounce the 'e' as we do in English. It is mostly pronounced as an 'a' but not always! In this case it is 👍
@stevewild4449 Makes perfect sense to me as JP is quite fluent in French as well as being an amazing Executive Chef! It's tough for us to wrap our head around running and hiding for days and weeks at a time while other family members are thinking we are dead or vice versa...
I was honored to be intimately involved with the planning and logistics of the 60th commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge. I spent 10 days there during the planning, set-up, and actual event. The people of Bastogne were amazing and grateful. American flags hang next to the Belgian flag in their classrooms. I was hugged on the street by strangers just because I was American. I met so many WWII veterans and listened to their stories. I never laughed and cried so much - it was a life-changing experience. God bless them all!
I'm not sure where you're from but I enjoy listening to you speak as you tell the stories of history. Storytelling is an art. My father was one. I could listen to him tell for hours. Thank you for your channel.
When I lived in France many decades ago, I used to hike the countryside and ran across knocked out tanks a couple of times on the sides of roads, found many pillboxes and prepared fighting positions. The leftovers of war.
I was in Bastogne at the end of May this year. I was on my way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. I saw the tank up close. An amazing experience. Thanks to JD for telling the story of this tank.
The last time I saw the Barracuda was in 1967. My dad was stationed at Spangdahlem AFB, and my family visited the Nuts Museum which was near the square.
I have some pictures somewhere that I took around 1993 ish of me standing in front of that tank. Back then as a 19 year old Airman I knew very little about the history. I would love to go back!!!
That is an AMAZING example of the fire power these brave men had to endure while in battle at this time. You have a phenomenal camera that shows in great detail the thickness of the armor this shell had to penetrate and clearly did with ease on both the left flank and rear of the tank. At 5:37 and again at 5:52 showing the rear and flank damage up close is incredible!
I visited that spot in August 1987 while touring Belgium as an 18yo Civil Air Patrol Cadet on an InternationalAir Cadet Exchange program.(IACE). We were guests of the Belgian government, and they took us to many locations over the course of several weeks. Bastogne was my favorite! It layed the foundation for my WWII interest. I can’t wait to go back again someday!
Unrelated to this video, I was thinking about Gettysburg, I have a newspaper printed on wallpaper from the Civil War. My father found it as a kid in an apartment they used to live in, and he always held onto it. Very interesting. And thanks for your videos.
Il say it again you are the best history teacher ever,your vouce makes the story behind the subject so interesting,we learn details not taught and some not written about .Thank you .👍🇺🇸❤️
Great detailed description of the tank’s loss (as usual). Note: Hopefully will get to the Gettysburg museum - I’m only 75 miles away. IMHO You and Eric are the best military UA-camrs. I was in Bastogne in 1970 - unfortunately I was on one of those quick town to town tours.
Another great video. It would be interesting to do a little metal detecting in the area where Barracuda was knocked out to see if the German round that hit the rear and was deflected into the ground could be found.
If you can, measure the diameter of the hole in the side. It looks like an 88mm sized hole, but the size can look larger in the video than it actually is.
Wow I have seen this tank,but did not know its history and looking at its damage it had a story to tell for which you have told I have travelled Europe visiting the fighting for freedom the American, United Kingdom, Canadian, French and other nations had sacrificed ,thank you for your dedication to the memories of such special people
Beautiful country side. Sure it looked quite bleak with the snow and cloud cover. Can’t imagine the thunderous noise inside the tank when that artillery shell struck the tank.
In the book "Band of Brothers" two of the guys make mention of a knocked out Sherman tank that was located in Bastogne during the encirclement. These men note that the tank had been knocked out at some time during the first stages of the encirclement, with the crew abandoning it and leaving it behind. I believe they noted that the tank may have burned at one point, but the husk remained on the street and became something of a landmark for the soldiers from Easy Company. These two soldiers tell a tale of how during one part of the encirclement, they took cover under the tank while a German tank (they aren't clear on what type of German tank it was) fired upon the burned out hulk, putting two rounds into it, before going off further on. This tank being part of a probing attack of some description. The men relate how the tank seemed to 'jump' into the air, and 'rang like a bell from the shots', but they reasoned that what the Germans were doing made sense, as even though the tank was obviously very out of action, there was still a chance men could be hiding inside it and using it as a forward observing position, so putting one or two rounds into it would put an end to that. However in this instance, the two men were hiding under the vehicle, and suffered no damage beyond ringing ears. Looking at the damage on it, and the position it is preserved in makes me wonder, if not suspect that this is the same vehicle which those two soldiers took refuge under. Based on the damage you filmed, this would fit in with what the two soldiers remembered. Specifically the penetrating hit to the engine compartment could have started a fire but allowed them to abandon the vehicle. Note: Sherman tanks didn't 'catastrophically ammo detonate' as much as you see in movies. They may burn, but blowing their turrets was rare. The hit in the side also roughly lines up with what the two men recount, as that would mean that the vehicle was side on to a road, leaving a vulnerable spot open for the enemy. That's not something a tank crew would do willingly. However if the vehicle had already burned in the road, then it could have come to rest perpendicular to the road. Lastly, the two soldiers noted that they remained unseen by the Germans, and it stands to reason that if the vehicle were facing the road and enemy vehicle straight on, then they could be seen under the vehicle. However side on, the running gear and tracks would hide their presence.
Thanks! I have climbed on and into the Barracuda many years ago before it got this new ramp it stands on currently. Still have some pictures of the interior. At the time i didn't know its story. Thanks for filling that gap! 🙏🍀👌🏻
At 4:00 minutes is the penetrating shot to the rear of the tank. When I looked at it, it appears to be a key-hole strike. A key-hole strike indicates the projectile turned sideways. It appears that the right margin indicates where it struck head on. The edges of the hole are clean with edges brittle and fused. Did the shell turn sideways, and tear out the rest? Would this forensic evidence indicate where the tank gun was located? It is hard to tell if there was a curve or turn to the right on the road as it left the town, but I had the "sensation" that a concealed crew served 52MM or 57MM anti-tank gun was further up the hill toward town on the left side of the road. Looking at the tank it just seemed to me the gun was higher up on the right side of the tank when I look at the holes and the direction they came from. Any other ideas? The caliber, type and direction of fire? I don't know anything about Wehrmacht tactics, but the beauty of a crew served weapon is portability, concealment, with the ability of not killing a tank, but disabling it with the crew abandoning it.
I absolutely love your videos, they are so interesting and educational! The way you present the past is very knowledgeable. Keep up the great work you are doing! I look forward to each and every video you make! May God bless you. Thank you.
Nice video JD…really like the maps you’ve incorporated! For anyone visiting, that glass building behind him (next to the tank) is the visitors center and has WiFi for those like me visiting from the US and are too cheap to pay for the international plan and forget to stop and get their T-Mobile or Vodafone SIM card 😂….also there’s a good pizza shop if you need a slice
I went to that spot in 2005. The tank looks a little different. On the Left flank ( where the name Barracuda is located) there used to be a tricolored triangle with the colors of yellow, red and blue. Did the tank receive a paint touch-up in the last couple years?
This tank used to have the markings of the 4th Armored Division and even had a tank destroyer patch painted on its side (because the 704th TD Bn Association sponsored the repainting). It is a good thing they put the correct unit markings on it (although now some believe the 11h Armored Division broke through to Bastogne). I believe the turret is also not the original one (which might have been a 76mm gun turret). It probably got knocked out by a German SPG from the Führer Begleit Brigade (Col. Otto Remer).
I always thought it strange that a TD patch was on the tank. It's nice to see it painted properly. The 75mm turret was used on a lot of late hull M4A3's. They even installed early war turrets on later hulls due to the need for more 75mm gun tanks, mostly for use in the Pacific, but a good number went to Europe. The only way to tell is from the serial number.
I lived in Arlon up near Luxembourg for a couple of years. Like many of the towns in the area they also have a Sherman in the main square. Having lived there it gives you an idea of the size of the battle field. Arlon is about 25 miles away from Bastogne and that is only part of the area that was contested.
You got lucky when you filmed this video. The rainbow in the background as you were explaining where the Barracuda was found in the fields. :) Also, was itching to hear Heart's song as the background music, but I know the licensing rights would've stopped ya.
Great work. In general I would warn not always to trust markings, or take them with a pinch of salt. When after the war a number of tanks or guns were placed as monuments, there was not that detailled historical care & spirit, so they were often painted in somewhat fantasy colors and markings were sometimes just what a local worker found on any foto.
Great comments by everyone.. It's surprising that that particular tank was not recovered/repaired and returned to service. I highly recommend DEATH TRAPS, The Survival of an Armored Division in WWII, by Belton Y. Cooper. It's an excellent read 💯%..
Actually, it's not that loud inside a tank when the maingun fires. The external noise is kinda like a dull base drum. The operating of the breech block, the spent cartridge casing, or aft cap being ejected from the breech is much louder than the maingun firing. Wearing your CVC as a crew member really cuts down on all the noise anyway.
Hey JD, great content coming out. Question though- will you be pivoting away from Europe/Band of Brothers focus & back to doing stateside video visits to museums, Presidential homes, historical sites (non civil war) like videos from your early days? would love to see more of that again as well
My grand father was in the 10th armd and was attached to combat command 'B' I am told. I was told he got a wound to the top of his nose that left a small scar that as a kid I never noticed till he pointed it out when I was in my 20''s! He did not get a purple heart for it because an aid stitched it up in combat and the unit commander was to add the event to the next days report and did not get the chance..."an 88 took his head clean off that day" gramps quote and the report was never made and GP never cared for a medal since he had both hand and feet with limbs and others did not so he did not care. but I was told this by grandma ....his unit was called a "ghost" unit for the most part and never had 10 Armd marking or shoulder patches so the press never wrote of them to keep secrets and the "ghost" part was them filling in with other units to fool the germans and even putting the same serial numbers on their truck/tanks and tracks to mess with the germans! AND this one from a cousin " the 10 the was there press or not saying so because the 101st was LIGHT infantry at best and infantry gets run over by tanks when they don't have their own tanks ESPECIALLY when its that many Nazis and SS" ohh almost forgot Gramps had one of the worst job in an armd unit...mechanic....they were the ones that cleaned out OK-ed tanks of body bits and repaired them. I can not think of the mess he might have saw when he was moved from combat command B to that and back and forth as needed...going from line combat then to clean up and back to combat if the maker of this wants 10th armd pics from the unit of the unit and in action hit me up here?
My father served in the 714th tank battalion 2nd armored division and was in the battle of elsinborn ridge the only American unit who completely stopped the Germans in one of the biggest battles of the bulge
3:04 only the german translation indicates: "... recalls the sacrifice of "all the victims" (Opfer) instead of "all the fighters" as wrotten in Vlammisch, English, French ( Strijders, fighters, combattants).
I am surprised this tank was not repaired and returned to stock. The bulge did make a mess of repair units being overwhelmed. This is minor damage compared to most. One would wonder about the farmer not wanting it messed with. This creek provides water for families and livestock. Oil and gas would have made a mess. He probably heard from others that their water supply got messed up. Thus, no way.
I read somewhere that two of the crew were Jewish, not accorded POW status, and were used as slave laborers. Survived to liberation but were in dire shape.
That's not the 41st company, its the 41st Infantry Regiment. From Wikipedia "The 41st Infantry Regiment constituted the organic infantry of the newly formed 2nd Armored Division. The association between the 41st Infantry and the 2nd Armored Division lasted throughout World War II and continued through Operation Desert Storm."
I was in Bastogne last autumn , paid my respects to our fallen and the boys that held out
Dad served in the 11th Armored Div’s signal company. The Div entered Cherbourg from about 15-21 Dec and moved southwest until alerted for movement in response to the German counteroffensive. It then conducted a forced march thru Paris to Belgium, where it was committed to combat on 30 Dec as JD says. B-7 was hit in its first engagement, with three crewmen being killed, and two getting out and being captured. The vehicle was ID’d as a 10th AD tank for decades until a researcher found a serial number and revealed its true identity. The 11th ended its war in Austria, where elements of its Cav Squadron liberated the Mauthausen death camp. Took Dad back to Europe in ‘07 to retrace the unit’s movements, something we called the ‘Trip of a Lifetime’ for us young ‘uns.
Thank you for posting your comment. How fortunate you were to have traveled with your Dad to this battle site.
A family friend was in the 11th AD. He was on a 57mm AT gun crew. He told me some about his experience, especially in the Ardennes. Much respect to your Dad.
I'm glad you and your dad made the trip back to Bastogne. Thanks for sharing your and his story.
General Patton unfairly criticised the 11th Armored in the Bastogne fighting saying they were "very green and took unnecessary casualties to no effect".
As a Belgian I've crossed Bastogne many times, especially back in the days when our parents took us to the Ardennes and beyond, coming at it from a yearly hiking vacation spot point of view. How we remembered the tank as a reference to which direction in the broader region we were heading; and how I can remember to this day, the remarkable 'atmosphere' in the town. Yet we never got shared the history and many sticking stories of the area and the Battle of the Bulge in general at that times. Our late father had been long serving the Belgian army himself, post-war ages that is; perhaps he felt he didn't have the right or means to share the countless stories; as at the same time, I remember how almost silently grateful he presented the VHS taped episodes of Band of Brothers many years later. Certainly, a return to the Bastogne region is on the checklist for the next year(s); as I can start thinking of how to guide our own children throught it at the best possible way. Hopefully BoB will still be available to save me later, while our father is watching from above.
That has to be every tanker's worst nightmare, knowing you're in somebody's sights and not being able to maneuver to do anything about it.
SSGT Wallace Alexander was buried in the Golden Gate National Cemetery, San Bruno, CA. He was originally buried overseas but was brought home by his family to be buried in the United States.
His 4 tank mates survived the war. 10:51
I became acquainted with a Belgian chef in 2008 named Jean-Pierre Marechal who was working for Marriott in Charlotte NC whose family was caught up in the Battle of the Bulge. Their stories as refugees trying to avoid the Germans are harrowing. I always found it interesting that Jean-Pierre pronounced it Bas-Tone-Yah. He took a trip home once and since he knew of my great interest in the battle and the 101st that he brought me a box of brochures and materials from the museums there. I was deeply touched to find included a patch from his grandfather's uniform in WW1!
You should visit Belgium it is a very interesting country and so much to see and learn regarding their WW1/WW2 history. Bastogne is in the wallonia region of Belgium where they speak French rather than Flemish and the pronunciation 'Bas-Tone-Yah' is because the French don't pronounce the 'e' as we do in English. It is mostly pronounced as an 'a' but not always! In this case it is 👍
@stevewild4449 Makes perfect sense to me as JP is quite fluent in French as well as being an amazing Executive Chef! It's tough for us to wrap our head around running and hiding for days and weeks at a time while other family members are thinking we are dead or vice versa...
I had my photo taken in front of that tank back in 1999 during my first trip to Bastogne...boy I wish I had your videos as a guide back then.
I was honored to be intimately involved with the planning and logistics of the 60th commemoration of the Battle of the Bulge. I spent 10 days there during the planning, set-up, and actual event. The people of Bastogne were amazing and grateful. American flags hang next to the Belgian flag in their classrooms. I was hugged on the street by strangers just because I was American. I met so many WWII veterans and listened to their stories. I never laughed and cried so much - it was a life-changing experience. God bless them all!
I'm not sure where you're from but I enjoy listening to you speak as you tell the stories of history.
Storytelling is an art.
My father was one. I could listen to him tell for hours.
Thank you for your channel.
Thank you!
Well said, I agree
When I lived in France many decades ago, I used to hike the countryside and ran across knocked out tanks a couple of times on the sides of roads, found many pillboxes and prepared fighting positions. The leftovers of war.
The allies lost around 3,000 in just Normandy alone I believe.
I was in Bastogne at the end of May this year. I was on my way to celebrate the 80th anniversary of D-Day in Normandy. I saw the tank up close. An amazing experience. Thanks to JD for telling the story of this tank.
Your presentations are just so respectful and thoughtful of the men that fought these battles. Beautiful farmland I bet it didn’t feel that way then
I love your shows. I have always loved WWII history but have never been able to go to Europe. You help bring these stories to life. Thank you!
The last time I saw the Barracuda was in 1967. My dad was stationed at Spangdahlem AFB, and my family visited the Nuts Museum which was near the square.
The visual with the map location was great. Keep up the great content JD.
Thanks!
The circular building in the background is the Visitor’s Center. I found them to be very helpful on a recent visit.
I have seen this M4 Sherman in 2019, even have pictures standing next to it. Interesting story
Thank you for showing where this happened. A very pretty spot when there is no war or killing.
Go there almost every year and didn't know this story. Didn't know about nuts bar neither. So thanks for the video and comments.
I have some pictures somewhere that I took around 1993 ish of me standing in front of that tank. Back then as a 19 year old Airman I knew very little about the history. I would love to go back!!!
Cool to hear the background, stoped and checked out that tank on a motorcycle trip a few years ago.
Great JD the narrative on this tank that was taken out at Bastogne. Then made a memorial to the battle there. Thank you for sharing!
💯👊👍
That is an AMAZING example of the fire power these brave men had to endure while in battle at this time. You have a phenomenal camera that shows in great detail the thickness of the armor this shell had to penetrate and clearly did with ease on both the left flank and rear of the tank. At 5:37 and again at 5:52 showing the rear and flank damage up close is incredible!
I visited that spot in August 1987 while touring Belgium as an 18yo Civil Air Patrol Cadet on an InternationalAir Cadet Exchange program.(IACE). We were guests of the Belgian government, and they took us to many locations over the course of several weeks. Bastogne was my favorite! It layed the foundation for my WWII interest. I can’t wait to go back again someday!
Le Nuts is also a great place too on the Square. They serve Bastogne Beer in ceramic helmets in honor of Vince Sperranza.
I have one of those helmets along with an empty Airborne Beer bottle. I also had the honor of meeting Mr. Speranza about 3 years ago. R.I.P. Vince.
Its really sad, when people from Europe appreciate what we did in WWII more than our own Country does.
Very interesting JD. I always pictured big scrap yards of military equipment but it sounds like it didn't happen that way? Glad something was saved
Yeah ...the french had it all. They are good at running away and surrender monkeys ..the scrap was taken by the crap
Another great video JD! I just visited Bastogne and the revamped Bastogne War Museum and Bastogne War Rooms are a must see!
Unrelated to this video, I was thinking about Gettysburg, I have a newspaper printed on wallpaper from the Civil War. My father found it as a kid in an apartment they used to live in, and he always held onto it. Very interesting. And thanks for your videos.
Great stories of freedom's heroes are always good to hear. "Tanks" for sharing this one!
Ha ha.......I did Nazi that coming....
Thanks for the video. I sat on that tank in 1976. and could not remember were it was.
Another awesome video. I don’t think any of us fans would expect anything less. Thank you JD!
Il say it again you are the best history teacher ever,your vouce makes the story behind the subject so interesting,we learn details not taught and some not written about .Thank you .👍🇺🇸❤️
very interesting episode in the series "the historical underground" - thank you very much. I'm looking forward to the next episodes.
👊🏻
Ty JD for showing us the story of this one crew among many 10th and 11th Armored who helped stop the Nazis nearly 80 years ago 💜🫡Lest we forget
👍🏻
Great to hear the story of that tank. I've seen in many times but didnt know the story of it.
I respect a lot how you invest in our history. 👍
Doh! Thanks.
Thanks J.D. God bless you!!✌️🇺🇲
Great detailed description of the tank’s loss (as usual). Note: Hopefully will get to the Gettysburg museum - I’m only 75 miles away. IMHO You and Eric are the best military UA-camrs. I was in Bastogne in 1970 - unfortunately I was on one of those quick town to town tours.
Another great video. It would be interesting to do a little metal detecting in the area where Barracuda was knocked out to see if the German round that hit the rear and was deflected into the ground could be found.
Very interesting JD. Thanks again for sharing this info. In a just a few days we will be in Bastogne and now I will know the story.
If you can, measure the diameter of the hole in the side. It looks like an 88mm sized hole, but the size can look larger in the video than it actually is.
Wow I have seen this tank,but did not know its history and looking at its damage it had a story to tell for which you have told I have travelled Europe visiting the fighting for freedom the American, United Kingdom, Canadian, French and other nations had sacrificed ,thank you for your dedication to the memories of such special people
Great video and history lesson JD thank you
My Dad was a member of the 10th AD in the Military Police Platoon and fought in Battle of the Bulge.
Very cool! I love how you got up close to the danger. Let’s us see what you see even though we aren’t there. Very cool!
Beautiful country side. Sure it looked quite bleak with the snow and cloud cover. Can’t imagine the thunderous noise inside the tank when that artillery shell struck the tank.
Thanks for sharing
Thanks! I was always wondering why its a 11th AD tank when the plage said 10 AD.
Exellent JD thank you !!!!
Great story. Thank you for sharing.
Wow
Much respect to all the tankers ❤🇨🇦🇺🇸🇬🇧
That tank has been moved since I was there as the square looks to have been seriously updated. Looks good.
Thank you. I saw Barracuda when I visited Bastogne, but I never knew the history on her.
In the book "Band of Brothers" two of the guys make mention of a knocked out Sherman tank that was located in Bastogne during the encirclement. These men note that the tank had been knocked out at some time during the first stages of the encirclement, with the crew abandoning it and leaving it behind. I believe they noted that the tank may have burned at one point, but the husk remained on the street and became something of a landmark for the soldiers from Easy Company. These two soldiers tell a tale of how during one part of the encirclement, they took cover under the tank while a German tank (they aren't clear on what type of German tank it was) fired upon the burned out hulk, putting two rounds into it, before going off further on. This tank being part of a probing attack of some description. The men relate how the tank seemed to 'jump' into the air, and 'rang like a bell from the shots', but they reasoned that what the Germans were doing made sense, as even though the tank was obviously very out of action, there was still a chance men could be hiding inside it and using it as a forward observing position, so putting one or two rounds into it would put an end to that. However in this instance, the two men were hiding under the vehicle, and suffered no damage beyond ringing ears.
Looking at the damage on it, and the position it is preserved in makes me wonder, if not suspect that this is the same vehicle which those two soldiers took refuge under. Based on the damage you filmed, this would fit in with what the two soldiers remembered. Specifically the penetrating hit to the engine compartment could have started a fire but allowed them to abandon the vehicle. Note: Sherman tanks didn't 'catastrophically ammo detonate' as much as you see in movies. They may burn, but blowing their turrets was rare. The hit in the side also roughly lines up with what the two men recount, as that would mean that the vehicle was side on to a road, leaving a vulnerable spot open for the enemy. That's not something a tank crew would do willingly. However if the vehicle had already burned in the road, then it could have come to rest perpendicular to the road. Lastly, the two soldiers noted that they remained unseen by the Germans, and it stands to reason that if the vehicle were facing the road and enemy vehicle straight on, then they could be seen under the vehicle. However side on, the running gear and tracks would hide their presence.
Thanks! I have climbed on and into the Barracuda many years ago before it got this new ramp it stands on currently. Still have some pictures of the interior. At the time i didn't know its story. Thanks for filling that gap! 🙏🍀👌🏻
Hi mr Van Kessel .is it posible to share the inside pictures ☺️Mvg uit België
Great informational video, thank you!!!
At 4:00 minutes is the penetrating shot to the rear of the tank. When I looked at it, it appears to be a key-hole strike. A key-hole strike indicates the projectile turned sideways. It appears that the right margin indicates where it struck head on. The edges of the hole are clean with edges brittle and fused. Did the shell turn sideways, and tear out the rest? Would this forensic evidence indicate where the tank gun was located? It is hard to tell if there was a curve or turn to the right on the road as it left the town, but I had the "sensation" that a concealed crew served 52MM or 57MM anti-tank gun was further up the hill toward town on the left side of the road. Looking at the tank it just seemed to me the gun was higher up on the right side of the tank when I look at the holes and the direction they came from. Any other ideas? The caliber, type and direction of fire? I don't know anything about Wehrmacht tactics, but the beauty of a crew served weapon is portability, concealment, with the ability of not killing a tank, but disabling it with the crew abandoning it.
Love these stories!! Never Forget!
I absolutely love your videos, they are so interesting and educational! The way you present the past is very knowledgeable. Keep up the great work you are doing! I look forward to each and every video you make! May God bless you. Thank you.
Thank you very much!
You are very welcome? 🤗
What big balls on those tankers! God bless them all!
Nice Tank monument.
Visited Bastogne in 1985 and got a great picture of the Barracuda.
Love your channel, ty so much. Cheers from Squamish BC
Thanks! I appreciate that.
NUTS. McCauliffe. My Dad was there with the 84th Railsplitters.
Respect your dad
My dad was in the war as well
🇨🇦army sapper Northwest Europe
His brother my uncle was also in the artillery in Italy as well
Great video. Very interesting.
Nice video JD…really like the maps you’ve incorporated! For anyone visiting, that glass building behind him (next to the tank) is the visitors center and has WiFi for those like me visiting from the US and are too cheap to pay for the international plan and forget to stop and get their T-Mobile or Vodafone SIM card 😂….also there’s a good pizza shop if you need a slice
😂👍🏻
I went to that spot in 2005. The tank looks a little different. On the Left flank ( where the name Barracuda is located) there used to be a tricolored triangle with the colors of yellow, red and blue. Did the tank receive a paint touch-up in the last couple years?
This tank used to have the markings of the 4th Armored Division and even had a tank destroyer patch painted on its side (because the 704th TD Bn Association sponsored the repainting). It is a good thing they put the correct unit markings on it (although now some believe the 11h Armored Division broke through to Bastogne). I believe the turret is also not the original one (which might have been a 76mm gun turret). It probably got knocked out by a German SPG from the Führer Begleit Brigade (Col. Otto Remer).
I always thought it strange that a TD patch was on the tank. It's nice to see it painted properly. The 75mm turret was used on a lot of late hull M4A3's. They even installed early war turrets on later hulls due to the need for more 75mm gun tanks, mostly for use in the Pacific, but a good number went to Europe. The only way to tell is from the serial number.
great story abou this tank and thanks you for sharing this story
Pretty cool. Thank you.
Glad you liked it!
Always wondered what happend to the crew. Thanks JD! Now we know
I lived in Arlon up near Luxembourg for a couple of years. Like many of the towns in the area they also have a Sherman in the main square. Having lived there it gives you an idea of the size of the battle field. Arlon is about 25 miles away from Bastogne and that is only part of the area that was contested.
Happy birthday to Damien Lewis played in band of brothers real enjoyed the video mate can't wait for the next one
You got lucky when you filmed this video. The rainbow in the background as you were explaining where the Barracuda was found in the fields. :) Also, was itching to hear Heart's song as the background music, but I know the licensing rights would've stopped ya.
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No matter what the number, it was still nice that they honored their liberators.
You are doing a great job
Great work.
In general I would warn not always to trust markings, or take them with a pinch of salt.
When after the war a number of tanks or guns were placed as monuments, there was not that detailled historical care & spirit, so they were often painted in somewhat fantasy colors and markings were sometimes just what a local worker found on any foto.
Lovely town with 3 beautiful ww2 museums. make sure you pay a visit to the battle shop, about 5 mins away from the square.
Very cool video !!
Great little hotel there in McAuliffe square. I think "George" is part of the name.
Great video
Great comments by everyone.. It's surprising that that particular tank was not recovered/repaired and returned to service. I highly recommend DEATH TRAPS, The Survival of an Armored Division in WWII, by Belton Y. Cooper. It's an excellent read 💯%..
I would go crazy in a tank. Not that I'm claustrophobic, but the noise of shells being fired, or worse being hit...
Actually, it's not that loud inside a tank when the maingun fires. The external noise is kinda like a dull base drum. The operating of the breech block, the spent cartridge casing, or aft cap being ejected from the breech is much louder than the maingun firing. Wearing your CVC as a crew member really cuts down on all the noise anyway.
Another great video have you ever thought about doing these tours for groups I would be interested
You may find this interesting: wehappyfew-gettysburgmuseum.tours/
Great content, I have a photograph of me in front of the tank but I didn’t know the backstory
Interesting buddy cheers. U do a good job 👍👍
Hey JD, great content coming out. Question though- will you be pivoting away from Europe/Band of Brothers focus & back to doing stateside video visits to museums, Presidential homes, historical sites (non civil war) like videos from your early days? would love to see more of that again as well
Did you have lunch at Le Nuts? that place is great, the Jack Burger was awesome.
My grand father was in the 10th armd and was attached to combat command 'B' I am told. I was told he got a wound to the top of his nose that left a small scar that as a kid I never noticed till he pointed it out when I was in my 20''s! He did not get a purple heart for it because an aid stitched it up in combat and the unit commander was to add the event to the next days report and did not get the chance..."an 88 took his head clean off that day" gramps quote and the report was never made and GP never cared for a medal since he had both hand and feet with limbs and others did not so he did not care. but I was told this by grandma ....his unit was called a "ghost" unit for the most part and never had 10 Armd marking or shoulder patches so the press never wrote of them to keep secrets and the "ghost" part was them filling in with other units to fool the germans and even putting the same serial numbers on their truck/tanks and tracks to mess with the germans! AND this one from a cousin " the 10 the was there press or not saying so because the 101st was LIGHT infantry at best and infantry gets run over by tanks when they don't have their own tanks ESPECIALLY when its that many Nazis and SS"
ohh almost forgot Gramps had one of the worst job in an armd unit...mechanic....they were the ones that cleaned out OK-ed tanks of body bits and repaired them. I can not think of the mess he might have saw when he was moved from combat command B to that and back and forth as needed...going from line combat then to clean up and back to combat
if the maker of this wants 10th armd pics from the unit of the unit and in action hit me up here?
Nice story
I'm honesty surprised the tank is in one piece. Normally those when up after a hit like that.
My father served in the 714th tank battalion 2nd armored division and was in the battle of elsinborn ridge the only American unit who completely stopped the Germans in one of the biggest battles of the bulge
3:04 only the german translation indicates: "... recalls the sacrifice of "all the victims" (Opfer) instead of "all the fighters" as wrotten in Vlammisch, English, French ( Strijders, fighters, combattants).
Stayed in the hotel Collin back in May 2011.
I am surprised this tank was not repaired and returned to stock. The bulge did make a mess of repair units being overwhelmed. This is minor damage compared to most.
One would wonder about the farmer not wanting it messed with. This creek provides water for families and livestock. Oil and gas would have made a mess. He probably heard from others that their water supply got messed up. Thus, no way.
I read somewhere that two of the crew were Jewish, not accorded POW status, and were used as slave laborers. Survived to liberation but were in dire shape.
Anyone notice the rainbow between the two wind generators at 8:59?
Exellent JD
That's not the 41st company, its the 41st Infantry Regiment. From Wikipedia "The 41st Infantry Regiment constituted the organic infantry of the newly formed 2nd Armored Division. The association between the 41st Infantry and the 2nd Armored Division lasted throughout World War II and continued through Operation Desert Storm."
Did I say 41st company anywhere? I’m pretty sure that I said 41st Tank Battalion.
was lucky enought to have been in marselle a few years back... there is a similar sherman on the spot it got knocked out
Howdy, where do you find all your great music for your episodes?