Brothers in arms is the actual, heroic account of the 761st tank battalion, an africanamerican armored unit that fought in world war ii. Dinicolo, this novel brims over with exquisite detail that leaves readers feeling. It is important to put in what a senior leader of his stature had to say about colored men. In a letter to his wife, he wrote, a colored soldier cannot think fast enough to fight in armor. The 761st tank battalion was formed in the spring of 1942 and according to army historical records, had 30 black officers, six white officers, and 676 enlisted men.
My journey through the harlem renaissance, cowritten with raymond obstfeld, and brothers in arms. Captain williams and first sergeant sam turley were both kicked out of the 758th and reassigned to the 761st. Charles w sasser this is the true story of the black panthers, who proudly lived up to their motto come out fighting and paved the way for africanamericans in the u. The 761st battalion also known as the black panther tank battalion was an allblack louisianabased military unit. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes. Beginning in november 1944, they engaged the enemy for 183 straight.
But after sixty straight days on the front lines, cool stud, like more than half the tanks of charlie company, one of the five companies of the 761st tank battalion of george pattons third. The 761st was always attacking, and general patton said the negro tank battalion attached to my command fought bravely in the critical battle of bastogne. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, world war iis forgotten heroes, cowritten with anthony walton, which is a history of an allblack armored unit. Last shots for patton s third army download ebook pdf, epub. The 761st was made up primarily of africanamerican soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. S army military history institute, the patton museum of. This book was about the hardships and mistreatments of the outstanding 761st african american tank battalion, the only black us tank battalion, in world war ii. Thank you again to publisher bruce franklin, westholme publishing, and his californiabase representatives, a. The 761st tank battalion was deployed as a public relations effort to. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii kindle edition by. Constituted 15 march 1942 in the army of the united states, the battalion was activated 1 april 1942 at camp claiborne, louisiana.
Though not the first study of the 761st, this highly readable book is one of the. A tank from company a, 761st tank battalion, crosses the seille river in france on november 9, 1944, the units second of 183 days in combat. On the battlefields of world war ii, the men of the africanamerican 761st tank battalion under general patton broke through enemy lines with the same. Photo credit army photo army leaders hadnt chosen just any tank battalion when they assigned the 761st tank battalion to lead task force rhine with elements of the 103rd infantry division. Their entry into the european theatre was marked by one crucial success after another. The epic story of the 761 st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes, sheds light on the history, personal stories and accomplishments of the unit. See more ideas about wwii, american soldiers and world war ii. General william miley, commander of the 17th armored division said, during the ardennes operation, we had very little armored unit support, but of what we had, the 761st was by far the. Anthony walton a powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of flags of our fathers, brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st black panthers, the first allblack armored unit to see. A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of flags of our fathers, brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st black panthers, the first allblack armored unit to see combat in world war ii. Tank commander harvey woodard of the 761st tank battalion assesses terrain near nancy, france, in november 1944.
The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes kindle edition by abduljabbar, kareem, walton, anthony. Pattons panthers the africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii book. Jun 21, 2017 the real patton presented that speech on october 28, 1944, in france to the soldiers of the 761st tank battalion, the first negro armored unit in the history of the u. He is author, coauthor or contributing author of more than 30 books and novels, including one shotone kill and. The 761st tank battalion the famed black panthers was the first african american armored unit to enter combat, and in world war ii they fought in four major allied campaigns and inflicted,000 casualties on the german army. This book was about the hardships and mistreatments of the outstanding 761st african american tank battalion, the only black us tank battalion. Kareem abduljabbars book tells story of wwii black tank unit. The real patton presented that speech on october 28, 1944, in france to the soldiers of the 761st tank battalion, the first negro armored unit in the history of the u. On the battlefields of world war ii, the men of the africanamerican 761st tank battalion under general patton broke through enemy lines with the same courage with which they broke down the racist limitations set upon them by others proving themselves as tough, reliable, and determined. Ruben rivers and the negroes of the 761 st tank battalion, the first to go to war in armor, were to change those assumptions as they engaged the enemy for 183 straight days in six european nations. The epic tale of the 761st tank battalion, 19421945, was published in 1945. Thank you to sheila carter, a dedicated listener of the tom joyner morning show for this topic.
They were known as the black panthers after their unit s distinctive insignia. This thesis will answer why the 761st tank battalion was not affected by the. The book chronicles the lives of young black men from all over the united states who registered for the draft or volunteered in the united states army in 1942. The book that i decided to do a critique on was the book pattons panthers by charles w sasser. He is author, coauthor or contributing author of more than 30 books and novels, including one shotone kill and hill 488, both available from pocket books. Dinicolos does proper justice to their amazing heroics in her gripping and unvarnished history, the black panther s at war. George patton was desperate for more tankers and the unit was pressed into battle. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany, tells the full and unvarnished history of this important american fighting force. Pattons panthers broke new ground during wwii united. The following description of the book is from the website of the publisher. Its a compelling and comprehensive account of the unit known as the first africanamerican tank unit to see combat in world war ii. Actually, the reason why i read about the 761st was i was researching aars of tank destroyer units. Sasser is a solid contribution to this growing literature that anyone interested in wwii andor issues of segregationrace relations in the middle of the 20th century should pick up.
Men, youre the first negro tankers to ever fight in the american army. Oct 14, 2016 the 761st tank battalion, a black unit, fought with distinction and earned the praise of the flamboyant commander of third army. Freeman will tell this story in a medium that appeals to generations of moviegoers. George patton in october of 1944 to an allblack tank battalion helped spur them toward their role in the defeat of nazi germany in the second world war. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii ebook written by charles w. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read pattons panthers.
Retired nba halloffamer kareem abduljabbar, coauthor of brothers in arms. This video is an educational informational video about the couragous and fearless 761 tank battalion world war ii black panthers. The book s title is an homage to jazz great john coltrane, referring to his album giant steps. In a segregated military, the african american armored unit that helped patton check the german advance, close the rhine ring, and spea. Certainly, they were general pattons most effective unit, he said. The 761st tank battalion was one of the most effective tank units to participate in hostilities during wwii, said author and. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii. The explosion was massive, far larger than the men of the 761st tank battalion were expecting when they responded to a german attack in the rhineland town of silz, germany. And the fighting was intense only one out of every two black panthers made it home alive. Last shots for patton s third army download ebook pdf. The 761st tank battalion was one of the most effective tank units to. Beginning in november 1944, they engaged the enemy for 183.
Oct 08, 2017 this video is an educational informational video about the couragous and fearless 761 tank battalion world war ii black panthers. A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of flags of our fathers, brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st tank battalion, the first allblack armored unit to see combat in world war ii. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany tells the full and unvarnished history of this important american fighting force. Apr 26, 2017 in the end, the men of the 761st tank battalion were awarded a medal of honor, 11 silver stars, and about 300 purple hearts despite facing racism as the first black armored unit in combat and the second in u. Nov 03, 2015 a tank from company a, 761st tank battalion, crosses the seille river in france on november 9, 1944, the units second of 183 days in combat. On april fools day 1942, the allnegro 761st tank battalion was activated at camp claiborne, louisiana. Please practice handwashing and social distancing, and check out our resources for adapting to these times. Though not the first study of the 761st, this highly readable book is one of the best. In the end, the men of the 761st tank battalion were awarded a medal of honor, 11 silver stars, and about 300 purple hearts despite facing racism as the first black armored unit in combat and the second in u. The 761st tank battalion and pattons drive on germnay by gina diniicolo 2016, paperback at the best online prices at ebay. Kareem abduljabbar first learned about the battalion from family friend leonard smitty smith, a veteran of the battalion. Book critique pattons panthers the book that i decided to do a critique on was the book pattons panthers by charles w sasser. Ruben rivers and the negroes of the 761 st tank battalion, the first to go to war in armor, were to change those assumptions as they engaged the enemy for 183.
Book brothers in arms by kareem skyhook abduljabbar is all about this unit. This black tank battalion earned 11 silver stars and the. As the 761st was about to enter combat, general george s. Were getting a new negra tank battalion, the 761st, he said. But the allies were so desperate for trained tank personnel in the summer of 1944, following heavy casualties in the fields of france, that the battalion was called up.
Feb 14, 2007 abduljabbar, who authored the book brothers in arms. Abduljabbar, who authored the book brothers in arms. Former nba star kareem abduljabbar tells the story of a littleknown black tank battalion in world war ii. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii by charles w.
On the battlefields of world war ii, the men of the africanamerican 761st tank battalion under general patton broke through enemy lines with the same courage with which they broke down the racist limitations set upon them by others proving themselves as tough, reliable, and determined to fight as any tank unit in combat. The group was activated in 1942 and trained at camp hood, texas. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany. Read unlimited books and audiobooks on the web, ipad, iphone and android. Known as the first african american armored unit to see combat in world war ii and as future baseball star jackie robinsons onetime outfit, the 761st tank battalion.
The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwii s forgotten heroes. Known as the first african american tank unit to see combat in world war ii as well as future baseball great jackie robinsons onetime outfit, the 761st tank battalion emerged from adversity for a chance at their. The 761 st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany tells the full and unvarnished history of this important american fighting force. A detailed and informative history is told in the book entitled the 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii an illustrated history of the first african american armored unit to see combat, by joe wilson, jr. The 761st were known as the black panthers after their units distinctive insignia. Pattons panthers the africanamerican 761st tank battalion. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii sasser, charles w. Feb 04, 2020 the 761st tank battalion was formed in the spring of 1942 and according to army historical records, had 30 black officers, six white officers, and 676 enlisted men. The 761st tank battalion was an independent tank battalion of the united states army during world war ii.
The 761st had paused after a breathless dash most of the way across france for final checkups and repairs prior to battle when pattons entourage. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes by anthony walton and kareem abduljabbar 2004, hardcover at the best online prices at ebay. On april fools day 1942, the allnegro 761st tank battalion was activated at. The book followed many different individual experiences from the tank battalions soldiers during their time in the war. George patton in october of 1944 to an allblack tank battalion helped spur them. May 01, 2015 the 761st tank battalion members pattons speech to the men of the 761st prior to deployment. The 761st tank battalion members pattons speech to the men of the 761st prior to deployment.
While most combat troops fought on the front for a week or two before being rotated back, the men of the 761st served for more than six months, fighting heroically under patton. He was inspired to write a book after learning a family friend had been a member of the unit. Most of the veterans of the 761st that abduljabbar. The original black panthers fought in the 761st tank. On april fool s day 1942, the allnegro 761st tank battalion was activated at camp claiborne, louisiana. The 761st tank battalion in world war ii by gina m. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany is a military masterpiece that chronicles the lives, victories, and in some cases, deaths of crew members of the first african american tank unit to see combat in wwii.
A story of race, war, and couragethe 761st tank battalion in world war ii gina m. Written by author, researcher and historian gina m. The 761st tank battalion was an independent tank battalion of the united states army during. The 761st tank battalion and patton s drive on germnay by gina diniicolo 2016, paperback at the best online prices at ebay.
1626 64 102 256 208 1121 579 1634 856 356 1384 242 120 1269 698 1452 583 190 1465 1066 903 1008 898 730 723 230 236 44 342 1421 382 1177 885 763 425 28 1266 49 1319 1063 1481 808 751 861 1469 1068 1327