Com-Central.net

This hulk of a 105mm howitzer armed Sherman, which was apparently one of the three such SP arty vehicles attached to Task Force Baum when they unsuccessfully attempted to liberate the POW camp at Hammelburg, Germany, in late March 1945, is now at a museum. This hulk was found on the ranges at Hammelburg training area several years ago and it appeared on the cover of the "After the Battle" magazine about TF Baum (issue 91). After that, it was no longer used as a hard target and was moved to the site of TF Baum's last stand (still within the training area).

In March, the hulk was finally moved to a museum for preservation (they are even talking about eventual restoration). The front cover still retains original stenciling - it's hard to read and I'm not a Sherman researcher, but it says something about closing the drain plugs. (Does anyone have a reference to what these stencils would have said?)

This tank was commanded by T/Sgt. Charles Graham of the 10th Armored Infantry (acting platoon leader). It was apparently knocked out by a Hetzer tank destroyer when TF Baum was surrounded and overrun.

The tank is now located at the Deutsch-Amerikanisches Nachkriegsmuseum in Rütschenhausen, near Schweinfurt.
www.nachkriegsmuseum.d...tseite.php

The circled hole is thought to be the penetration from the Hetzer hit.

The museum also has a tankers helmet that was found in the area of TF Baum's last stand on the Hammelburg training area. It still has a 37th Armored insignia that can be barely made out.

Geoff, That is awesome to hear. I've long been interested in TF Baum. I have to get back over there some day!

Mike Haines

Hi Mike,

I was in your old stomping grounds on Thursday when I took these photos. I stopped off at that flak battery site south of Euerbach, then I went to Hammelburg to give a TF Baum staff ride to some of the remaining officers still stationed in Schweinfurt (closing next year). We talked about this tank, and I told them it was still out in the training area. Big surprise to me, to see it at this little museum that I stopped at on the way back home.

Geoff,

That is excellent news!

Here's hoping they preserve rather than restore this Sherman; in the former case it would be a fitting memento for TF Baum, in the latter case it would be "just another Sherman".

Regards,
Hanno

Hanno,

I think I have to agree with you!

Mike Haines

I agree as well. I think the major parts should be put back together (as well as they may) and the hulk placed inside, and that's it. I don't really know why they want to "restore" this tank, other than the feeling that they just like to restore "junk" at that museum (they have done a good job with an M48A2 that they received in very poor condition). The museum personnel told me that as of now, the government has not given them permission to do any restoration work, and maybe it will stay that way.

Interesting find! Always neat to hear about a tank that can be traced to an actual event.

Interesting also, is that is is an M4A3 (10%) HVSS and that it was from the 10th Armored Infantry Battalion. I know the AIB's were authorized to get 105mm M4 types in place of the previous M8 75mm HMCs but it is hard to track down which units got that upgrade before VE day as it appears that many units did not get changed over until after the end of hostilities.

Another interesting detail is the large tactical number on the hull side. I haven't seen tac numbers on 4th Armored Division vehicles (at least that I can remember). One usually associates the large hull-side tac numbers with the 6th Arm's Div.

- binder001

Another interesting detail is the large tactical number on the hull side. I haven't seen tac numbers on 4th Armored Division vehicles (at least that I can remember). One usually associates the large hull-side tac numbers with the 6th Arm's Div.

They look more like the target numbers from the range.

- Smashy

They look more like the target numbers from the range.

Thanks, I hadn't thunk 'o that!

Yes, those big yellow 25s are Hammelburg range markings ... this tank is generally referred to as "Target 25" around there.

I may be visiting this tank again next week. Can someone tell me where to look on the hull and turret, for serial number(s) or any other number that might ID it?

Hi Geoff:

On the turret top should be raised markings with the foundry, turret serial, and part number, similar to this:
lh3.googleusercontent....ttings.JPG

On the hull, the place to look is the rear tow lugs, here the.shadock.free.fr/sh...05mm14.jpg and in detail the.shadock.free.fr/sh...05mm15.jpg

Next, look for stampings on the edge of the glacis plate: the.shadock.free.fr/sh...05mm17.jpg and the.shadock.free.fr/sh...05mm16.jpg

On the top of the hull, get the markings on the driver's roof plate: lh4.googleusercontent....-h187-p-no

On the differential housing, look underneath: the.shadock.free.fr/Ta...20mark.JPG

Finally, check out this guide: the.shadock.free.fr/sh...ations.pdf

Thanks!
KL

Great news. I vote for preservation and keep it indoors.