tank killers a history of america's world war ii tank destroyer force

Tank destroyers were among the very first units to land in North Africa in 1942. It is a story of American flexibility and pragmatism in military affairs. The Tank Killers follows the men who fought in the TDs from the formation of the force in 1941 through the victory over the Third Reich in 1945. Indeed, American doctrine stipulated that TDs would fight tanks, while American tanks would concentrate on achieving and exploiting breakthroughs of enemy lines. At the same time, the TD would wield the firepower needed to kill any German tank on the battlefield.

The TD was conceived to be light and fast enough to outmanoeuvre panzer forces and go where tanks could not. The tank destroyer (TD) was a bold-if some would say flawed-answer to the challenge posed by the seemingly unstoppable German blitzkrieg. The Tank Killers is the story of the American Tank Destroyer Force in North Africa, Italy, and the European Theatre during World War II. “It involves some tense moments, and these are recorded vividly in this book, including interviews with many TD veterans, plus official reports and documents.”

New England Historic Genealogical Society.

Tank killers a history of america's world war ii tank destroyer force