Kareen abduljabbar talks about the book he coauthored, brothers in arms. The 761st tank battalion africanamerican soldiers by kathryn browne pfeifer, for ages 9 to 12, published by twentyfirst century books 1994, discusses the history of the units battle record and individual experiences, and has a chronology of african american service in the u. Oct 08, 2017 this video is an educational informational video about the couragous and fearless 761 tank battalion world war ii black panthers. Ironically, bates was the first member of the 761st to be wounded. The 761st tank battalion was an independent tank battalion of the united states army during 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 761st tank battalion in world war ii by gina m. The speaker is david williams, reflecting on his world war ii experience as a captain with the 761st tank battalion. Their entry into the european theatre was marked by one crucial success after another.
Brothers in arms is the actual, heroic account of the 761st tank battalion, an africanamerican armored unit that fought in world war ii. On the battlefields of world war ii, the men of the africanamerican 761st tank battalion under general patton broke through enemy lines with the same courage with which they broke down the racist limitations set upon them by others proving themselves as tough, reliable, and determined to fight as any tank unit in combat. Abduljabbar first learned of the 761st tank battalion when he attending. 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. May 27, 2004 brothers in arms former nba star kareem abduljabbar tells the story of a littleknown black tank battalion in world war ii. 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. This is a comprehensive record of the 761st tank battalion, the first african american armored unit to enter combat.
Constituted 15 march 1942 in the army of the united states, the battalion was activated 1 april 1942 at camp claiborne, louisiana. It was one of three tank battalions of its kind and one of only a handful of units which allowed black men to serve in an active combat role. The 761st tank battalion trained for over two years at camp claiborne and at camp hood, texas, before it finally received orders for overseas movement on june 9, 1944, only three days after the allies made the dday landings in normandy. 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. I have just modified one external link on 761st tank battalion united states.
Kathryn browne pfeifer explores the black panthers, the first africanamerican tank battalion to see combat in world war ii. Book recalls black world war ii tank battalion the new york. And, by the end of the war, the black panthers had fought their way. 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.
Recounts the glorious exploits of the 761st tank battalion a unit of black soldiers that distinguished itself during world war ii. Led by a small cadre of white and black officers, the men trained to the pinnacle of their craft to fight a common enemy. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes kareem abduljabbar and anthony walton. The only flaw in the book is it does not have any maps. Mar 27, 2018 black panthers of the 761st tank battalion in coburg, germany. 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.
Abduljabbar, who authored the book brothers in arms. I consider the 761st tank battalion to have entered combat with such conspicuous courage and success as to warrant special commendation. By the end of the war in europe, the first africanamerican armoured unit to enter combat had fought through six countries photos. In all, the 761st tank battalion went from vicsurseille, france, to the enns river in steyr, austria, where it linked up with the soviet army. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes, sheds light on. Kareem abduljabbar first learned about the battalion from family friend leonard smitty smith, a veteran of the battalion. A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of flags of our fathers, brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st tank battalion, the first allblack armored unit to see combat in world war ii. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany tells the full and unvarnished history of this important american fighting force. The 761st was made up primarily of africanamerican soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. The following description of the book is from the website of the publisher. Kareem abduljabbars book tells story of wwii black tank unit. Martins press has published awardwinning history books on a range of subjects. Highlighting the trials and tribulations of the 761st tank battalion, which was a unit of colored soldiers never meant to face battle, this book does an excellent job documenting their joys, sorrows and memories.
Feb 14, 2007 the 761sts work with the 26th division in november of 1944 received special commendation from major general paul, in addition to the commendation that went to all units of the 26th division and xii corps. Jun 21, 2017 the 761st tank battalion trained for over two years at camp claiborne and at camp hood, texas, before it finally received orders for overseas movement on june 9, 1944, only three days after the allies made the dday landings in normandy. Whatever happened to the 761st tank battalion 159 16. Brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st black panthers, the first allblack armored unit to see combat in world war ii. Wilson 2006, paperback, alternate at the best online prices at ebay. Download it once and read it on your kindle device, pc, phones or tablets. Profiles the black panthers, the first africanamerican tank battalion to see combat during world war ii. Written by author, researcher and historian gina m. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany is a military masterpiece that chronicles the lives, victories, and in some cases, deaths of crew members of the first african american tank unit to see combat in wwii. An illustrated history of the first african american armored unit to see combat joe wilson jr. Brothers in arms former nba star kareem abduljabbar tells the story of a littleknown black tank battalion in world war ii. It was kind of hard following the route of the 761st as they fought through europe. 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. The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii book.
A detailed and informative history is told in the book entitled the 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii an illustrated history of the first african american armored unit to see combat, by joe wilson, jr. But overall this book is an easy read and easy to understand and a well written account of the 761st tank battalion. Book recalls black world war ii tank battalion the. Sasser is a solid contribution to this growing literature that anyone interested in wwii andor issues of segregationrace relations in the middle of the 20th century should pick up. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes abduljabbar, kareem, walton, anthony on. You have put together an accurate accounting of the achievements of the 761st and it should stand as the definitive history of the unit baron bates son of the late colonel paul l. The story of the armys 761st tank battalion, its men, and their quest to fight for america during world war ii. Some of the towns i have heard of and others i didnt have a clue. Kareem abduljabber has done a fabulous job of documenting the 761st tank battalions service during world war ii. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes kindle edition by abduljabbar, kareem, walton, anthony. 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. Brothers in arms audiobook by kareem abduljabbar, anthony.
An illustrated history of the first african american armored unit. Feb 04, 2020 in october of 1944, the 761st tank battalion became the first african american tank battalion to see combat in world war ii. The original black panthers fought in the 761st tank. The epic story of the 761st tank battalion, wwiis forgotten heroes.
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 unit was made up of african americans soldiers, who by federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii by charles w. Thank you again to publisher bruce franklin, westholme publishing, and his californiabase representatives, a.
It is the best researched and best written book on the battalion. A powerful wartime saga in the bestselling tradition of flags of our fathers, brothers in arms recounts the extraordinary story of the 761st tank battalion, the first. The 761st tank battalion was an american tank battalion, raised during world war ii, which was made up almost exclusively of africanamerican soldiers. 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. According to abduljabbars book, smitty was riding in the first tank to go through the main gate at dachau. Brothers in arms by kareem abduljabbar, anthony walton.
He told the black tankers that they would see combat and started to train them for war. 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 emerged from the adversity of camp claiborne, louisiana. The battalion trained at camp hood, texas, where they were rated superior by second army commander lt. The africanamerican 761st tank battalion in world war ii read an excerpt of this book. An illustrated history of the first african american armored unit to see combat by joe, jr. The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii. The epic tale of the 761st tank battalion, 19421945, was published in 1945. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. The 761st tank battalion and general pattons drive on germany tells the full and unvarnished history of this important. During the first year, no one expected the battalion to see combat, but in may of 1943 major paul bates became commander. In october of 1944, the 761st tank battalion became the first african american tank battalion to see combat in world war ii. The 784th tank battalion in world war ii mcfarland. The 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii before and during mobilization for world war ii, officials in washington, d. Aug 01, 1999 the 761st black panther tank battalion in world war ii book.
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