The View from the Turret: The 743d Tank Battalion During World War II

The View from the Turret recounts the frontline combat experiences of the 743rd Tank Battalion beginning with the June 6 1944 invasion of Normandy and concluding with the taking of Magdeburg on the Elbe River in 1945. The author has combined numerous personal interviews with original research into a useful and penetrating account detailing one units contribution to World War II battalion-level tank warfare in the European Theater of operations.This is the first time the 743rd Tank Battalion has received full credit for its decisive day-long battle on Omaha Beach where it was the only full-strength tank battalion supporting two infantry divisions. Also this is the first time the 743rd has been recognized for its pivotal role alongside the 30th Infantry Division (Old Hickory) in the Battle of Mortain the Battle of Aachen and the Battle of the Bulge. Throughout this book special attention has been given to understanding how the 743rd used the Sherman M4s design and firepower.