Pictorial History of the 63rd
Infantry Division in Combat-Page 62
Infantry Division in Combat-Page 62
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| The following photographs are from the collection of the French Minister of Defense's Establishment of Communication and Broadcasting Institution at internet address: http://www.ecpad.fr |
| Jeep passes German anti-tank gun in the streets of Jebsheim, France- January 1945 |
| Allied troops examine German Jagdpanther heavy tank destroyer in Jebsheim, France January 1945 |
| German prisoners from the 2d Gebirgsjager Division walk through the streets of Jebsheim, France January 1945 |
| View of the destruction in the village of Jebsheim, France- January 1945 |
| Soldiers from the Anti-Tank Company of the 254th Infantry Regiment fire their gun in Jebsheim, France January 1945 |
| A Jeep moves through the streets of Jebsheim, France 1945 |
| American half-track vehicle destroyed during the battle for Jebsheim, France January 1945 |
| End of photos from French Ministry of Defense |
| Unknown soldier from the 63rd Infantry Division in Germany 1945 |
| 63d Infantry Division soldiers interrogate German POW-1945 |
| Pfc Robert D. Cohlmeyer, C Company 363d Medical Battalion in Germany 1945 |
| As American forces (254th Infantry and 10th Armored Division elements) began to enter Schwetzingen, Germany, three(3) Jagdtiger very heavy tank destroyers of the German 653d Heavy Jagdpanzer regiment began to maneuver to meet the oncoming American troops. One Jagdtiger tank destroyer (#115) got stuck on Grenzhoferstrasse when it slipped off the road and because of its weight (72 tons) it could not get out of the ditch back on the road. This tank was destroyed by its crew. Another Jagdtiger tank destroyer (#115) began to move down Dreikonigstrasse towards the intersection with Mannheimerstrasse, the street being used by the American forces to enter the town. This tank was spotted by an Artillery observer flying overhead who then notified the forces on the ground of the movement. Elements of the 10th Armored Division position their Sherman tanks on Mannheimerstrasse and when the Jagdtiger tank destroyer (#115) reach the intersection they engage the German tank at 200 yards and hit it in the side disabling the tank and crew. The German tank destroyer continued to roll forward and entered a building on the corner of the intersection. The results of this engagement can be seen below in the three photos. The third Jagdtiger Tank destroyer escaped damaged during this engagement but was destroyed by its crew on the road from Eppelheim towards Pfaffengrund. (Note: The photos and account of the action were furnished by a German Historian, Herr Karl. H. Kleine of Walldorf, Germany.) |
| Three views of the German Jagdtiger very heavy tank destroyer (#115) after being destroyed by elements of the 10th Armored Division in Schwetzingen, Germany. This tank weighed 72 tons, had 25mm to 250 mm of armor, had a crew of six, a speed of 38 KM per hour and a cruising range of 170 KM. |
| This is believed to be the third Jagdtoger tank destroyer that was destroyed by its crew after escaping from Schwetzingen, Germany. Photo furnished by T/4 William Beckett, Hq 254th Inf Regt |