US Works Tirelessly to Create the TD
Reading a list of dates can be very boring but in this case I think it is the best way to point out how quickly the US military identified, outlined, planned and implemented the creation of an entirely new concept in warfare. The Tank Destroyer arm of the military. The tank destroyers were an independent arm of the army. They had both offensive and defensive troops. This is what made TDs such a terror to the Germans in the ETO. This list of dates covers the basic plan the military followed to get the TDs out there to win the war. The information in the timeline was taken from "Tank Destroyer History" 1946.
- Prior to April 1941
All antitank efforts were restricted to antitank companies of infantry regiments who were allotted the meager weaponry of the time. - 12 April 1941
Gen Lesley, J. McNair wrote:
"It is beyond belief that so little could be done on the question in view of all that has happened and is happening abroad. I for one have missed no opportunity to hammer for something real in the way of antitank defense, but so far have gotten nowhere. I have no reason now to feel encouraged, but can only hope this apathy will not continue indefinitely." The poor efforts of European armies already fighting Nazi Germany were a prime model to the ineffectiveness of antitank companies as part of other arms. - 15 April 1941
A series of antitank conferences begins. Present at this first meeting were: G-3 War Dept., Chief of Infantry, Chief of Field Artillery, Armored Force, Chief of Calvary, Chief of Coast Artillery, General Headquarters and the War Plans Division, War department General Staff.
This conference resulted in approval by all for offensive antitank tactics but was marked by disagreement over the organization and command of antitank units.
Chief of armored Force recommended the creation of a provisional antitank arm which was viewed favorable by General Headquarters.
Disagreement continued on how antitank units would be created, who would supply and command them and how many there would be. - 14 May 1941
The subject of branch responsibility remains a big problem at the second conference. Gen George C. Marshall, Chief of Staff, directed the Asst Chief of Staff G-3 to take immediate action on antitank measures to include an offensive weapon and organization to combat armored forces. In this directive, Gen Marshall indicated that defense against armored forces was a problem beyond the capabilities of any one arm and probably required the organization and use of a special force of combined arms, capable of rapid movement, interception and active rather than passive defense tactics. - 26 May 1941
It was decided to leave antitank companies with the infantry regiments. Each divisional and higher headquarters was to appoint an antitank office and new provisional antitank battalions were to be organized at once with weapons taken from the artillery. The most outstanding decision was to establish before the end of 1941 a "large antitank unit." - 24 June 1941
Provisional antitank battalions were activated by War Department letter and antitank officers were appointed in divisions and higher units. - 14 to 17 July 1941
An historic antitank conference called by the Asst Chief of Staff G-3, War Department, to inform antitank officers of the antitank problems, The proposed test in maneuvers, the latest mechanized antitank doctrine and such.
The genesis of the original Tank Destroyer was born out of this conference. -- A 75mm gun mounted on a half-track. - December 1941
"A War Department order of December further reduced the connections still existing between the antitank battalions and the several arms. "Antitank" battalions were designated "tank destroyer" battalions, the old term savoring too much of passive defensive tactics. All tank destroyer battalions, it was repeated, were allotted to General Headquarters. Antitank units in cavalry divisions and field artillery battalions and regiments in continental United States were to be inactivated. Infantry antitank battalions were to loose the name "infantry", be renumbered, and designated as "Tank Destroyer" battalions." - 30 January 1942
The first new homogenous tank destroyer force, composed of battalions, only nominally connected with the older arms and complete with full reconnaissance and other supporting elements, came into existence under Lt Colonel Richard G. Tindall.
Next - The First Tank Destroyers
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