Assigned at various times to the third, seventh and ninth armies, the black panthers fought major engagements in six european countries and participated in four major allied campaigns, inflicting,000 casualties on the german army and capturing or destroying thousands of. Assigned at various times to the third, seventh and ninth armies, the black panthers fought major engagements in six european countries and participated in four major allied campaigns, inflicting heavy casualties on the german army and capturing or destroying thousands of. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes. 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 battalion trained at camp hood, texas, where they were rated superior. This video is an educational informational video about the couragous and fearless 761 tank battalion world war ii black panthers.
The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii book. Kareem abduljabber has done a fabulous job of documenting the 761st tank battalions service during world war ii. Its greatest strength, however, lies in the attention given to the individuals who served in the 761st tank battalion. The 761st tank battalion was formed in the spring of 1942 and was the first african american tank battalion to see combat in the second world war. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany, tells the full and unvarnished history of this important american fighting force. It chronicles the organization, training, and combat operations of a separate tank battalion in world war ii, shedding light on a lesser known aspect of americas armored experience. The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii. The strength of the 761st tank battalion was proven during 183 days of continual fighting including action in the battle of the bulge after. 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. Kathryn browne pfeifer explores the black panthers, the first africanamerican tank battalion to see combat in world war ii. The only flaw in the book is it does not have any maps.
Brothers in arms is the actual, heroic account of the 761st tank battalion, an africanamerican armored unit that fought in world war ii. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes abduljabbar, kareem, walton, anthony on. Ironically, bates was the first member of the 761st to be wounded. Brothers in arms by kareem abduljabbar, anthony walton. The story of the armys 761st tank battalion, its men, and their quest to fight for america during world war ii. During the first year, no one expected the battalion to see combat, but in may of 1943 major paul bates became commander. The original black panthers fought in the 761st tank. Recounts the glorious exploits of the 761st tank battalion a unit of black soldiers that distinguished itself during world war ii. It was kind of hard following the route of the 761st as they fought through europe. Most men who served were in segregated combat groups. Book recalls black world war ii tank battalion the. Kareem abduljabbar first learned about the battalion from family friend leonard smitty smith, a veteran of the battalion. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading brothers in arms.
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 story of the 761st black panther tank battalion, the decorated all africanamerican unit who served with valor during world war ii. I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to learn about the hardships endured by those men who had to endure the double problems of discrimination by their countrymen and the fighting of a determined enemy. The novel is about a white boy named gabriel who befriends a black man named meriwether who was a member of the 761st tank battalion. In the academy awardwinning film patton, the setting was all wrong when actor george c. But overall this book is an easy read and easy to understand and a well written account of the 761st tank battalion. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 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. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes ebook written by kareem abduljabbar, anthony walton. Download for offline reading, highlight, bookmark or take notes while you read brothers in arms. The 761st a 2002 documentary directed by award winning filmmaker fern levitt. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii by charles w. Williamss book tells the story of the 761st the battalion that wore the black panther patch from its formation and training in deep south army camps through battles fought across europe.
The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii before and during mobilization for world war ii, officials in washington, d. Martins press has published awardwinning history books on a range of subjects. Led by a small cadre of white and black officers, the men trained to the pinnacle of their craft to fight a common enemy. An illustrated history of the first african american armored unit to see combat joe wilson jr. Book critique pattons panthers the book that i decided to do a critique on was the book pattons panthers by charles w sasser.
This story of the 761st tank battalion in world war ii recalls the segregation of u. He told the black tankers that they would see combat and started to train them for war. Drawing on this impressive stable of experts from ancient, medieval, modern, contemporary, and military history, the history reader offers articles, interviews, insights, and further reading for history buffs and book lovers everywhere. According to abduljabbars book, smitty was riding in the first tank to go through the main gate at dachau. 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. If you would like to contribute additional names or information, or provide corrections, please click roster contact left menu and use the contact form to send a message to roster manager joe wilson, jr. The speaker is david williams, reflecting on his world war ii experience as a captain with the 761st tank battalion. The character of ronsel jackson in the 2017 film mudbound is a veteran of the 761st tank battalion. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany tells the full and unvarnished history of this important. 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.
Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. The epic tale of the 761st tank battalion, 19421945, was published in 1945. They proved their battle prowess on the parched texas training fields against tank destroyer units bound for combat. Kareem abduljabber has done a fabulous job of documenting the 761st tank battalion s service during world war ii.
This book was written by the white officer commanding one of the armor companies in the 76st tank battalion, an allblack separate tank battalion in europe in wwii. An illustrated history of the first african american armored unit. Pfeifer discusses not only the history of the units battle record, marginalized by racism, but also the experiences of individual men who suffered many injustices. Profiles the black panthers, the first africanamerican tank battalion to see combat during world war ii. Every man had to learn to operate every gun and every vehicle. Some of the towns i have heard of and others i didnt have a clue. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes, sheds light on. The 741st tank battalion was an independent tank battalion that participated in the european.
Author brenda woods will release a novel in 2019 called the unsung hero of birdsong, usa. Army activated the 758th tank battalion, the first allblack armored unit. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes kindle edition by abduljabbar, kareem, walton, anthony. This list is a workinprogress collecting names of 761st tank battalion veterans showing their 1945 rank from various reliable sources. Discover delightful childrens books with prime book box, a subscription that delivers new books every 1, 2, or 3 months new customers receive 15% off your. Williams is extraordinarily honest about his frustrations at being assigned to this unit, and his eventual pride and respect for his soldiers. The 761st tank battalion was activated on april 1, 1942, at camp claiborne, louisiana, and deployed to europe, landing at omaha beach in france on october 10, 1944. The history of the 761st tank battalion has been told a number of times, including books, starting with one titled come out fighting that was written and selfpublished by the units enlisted members immediately after the end of world war ii in europe.