784th Tank Battalion (United States)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The 784th Tank Battalion, was a United States Army segregated combat tank battalion during World War II.

Originally attached to the U.S. 5th Tank Group that was based in Camp Claiborne, Louisiana during World War II. The 5th Tank Group also included the 758th Tank Battalion that saw some action in Italy under the 92nd Division, and the most famous, the 761st Tank Battalion which saw action in Northern Europe and saw extensive action during the Battle of the Bulge.

These three units were composed of African American personnel with white senior officers and African American junior officers. The 784th went into action late December 1944.

Landing in France Christmas Day 1944, the battlion consisted of six companies. A(Able), B(Baker), C(Charlie), D(Dog), Headquarters and Service. A and B and C Companies had the medium M-4 and M-4A3 Sherman Tanks while D company had the M-3 Stuart Light Tanks.Headquarters Company had a 105 mm assault platoon, a reconnaissance platoon and 81 mm mortar platoon.

On December 31 1944 the 784th began official combat operations with the 104th Infantry Division. They participated in actions between the towns of Durden and Murken Germany along the Roer River. On February 3, 1945 the 784th was released from duty with the 104th Division to the 35th Infantry Division. February 8, 1945 the 784th joined the 35th Division in a major offensive. February 26 1945, Able Company of the 784th assisted elements of the 134th Infantry Regiment (35th Div) in capturing the town of Hilfarth across the Roer River. The next day they captured the town of Wassenburg. Baker Company along with the 137th Regiment(35th Div) took Goldrath.