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OverviewThe 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion was activated on 25 July 1942 at Camp Carson, USA and, like many other tank destroyer battalions, would be sent to Europe. It saw combat in France, where a platoon earned the Distinguished Unit Citation, and later continued to fight gallantly in Germany and Austria until the war was over. However, unlike many other tank destroyer battalions that fought in the Second World War, this unit was crewed only by black soldiers. The men had been subjected to racism from their countrymen during training, although the battalion did eventually win the respect of the white soldiers they fought alongside. When the third platoon deployed their guns on the slopes near Climbach, France, they weren't just fighting against the Germans, but also against any prejudices that their white countrymen might have had. Having earned the respect of the 103d Infantry Division, the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion shared in their triumphs and tragedies. So when the division needed to retreat during a blizzard, or when Task Force Rhine pushed its way across the German plains, or when the division suffered heavy losses at Schillersdorf, the 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion was there with them. Included in this book are lists of medals awarded to the men during the war, as well as a list of casualties and those that served in the unit. AUTHOR: Samuel de Korte is a graduate student of Utrecht University, where he studied an MA in the Cultural History of Modern Europe, and in his spare time enjoys researching or writing articles about popular history. He wrote his Master's thesis about the representation of black Americans during the Second World War in contemporary media, indicating that although they formed a substantial part of the American armed forces, they don't receive an equal share in the representation. His research provided the starting point for this book. 20 b/w illustrations Full Product DetailsAuthor: Samuel de KortePublisher: Pen & Sword Books Ltd Imprint: Pen & Sword Military ISBN: 9781399008686ISBN 10: 1399008684 Pages: 200 Publication Date: 07 March 2022 Audience: General/trade , General Format: Hardback Publisher's Status: Active Availability: In Print This item will be ordered in for you from one of our suppliers. Upon receipt, we will promptly dispatch it out to you. For in store availability, please contact us. Table of ContentsReviewsThe images in The 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion are astounding. Most have never seen the light of day since their initial archival. These never-before published images make this work unique. Rather than being generic, they relate directly to the units and the men being discussed. -- SirReadaLot.org More than just a unit history, this book relates the struggles of its veterans against both racism and the German Army. The authors effectively balance these two sides of the 614th's war, giving the unit's members their just due while presenting them as men performing a duty and serving their country, just as millions of others did. The work is a fitting tribute to a group of soldiers who served their country honorably and well. -- WWII History Magazine ...the role of African-Americans in the front lines of combat is revealed in meticulous detail.-- Midwest Book Review The images in The 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion are astounding. Most have never seen the light of day since their initial archival. These never-before published images make this work unique. Rather than being generic, they relate directly to the units and the men being discussed. -- SirReadaLot.org ...the role of African-Americans in the front lines of combat is revealed in meticulous detail.-- Midwest Book Review The images in The 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion are astounding. Most have never seen the light of day since their initial archival. These never-before published images make this work unique. Rather than being generic, they relate directly to the units and the men being discussed. -- SirReadaLot.org Author InformationSamuel de Korte is a graduate student of Utrecht University, where he studied an MA in the Cultural History of Modern Europe, and in his spare time enjoys researching or writing articles about popular history. He wrote his Master's thesis about the representation of black Americans during the Second World War in contemporary media, indicating that although they formed a substantial part of the American armed forces, they don't receive an equal share in the representation. His research provided the starting point for this book. Tab Content 6Author Website:Countries AvailableAll regions |