Unit History: Activated on 10 August, 1942, at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma. Reorganized as a towed battalion in May 1943. Arrived at Marseilles, France, on 29 October, 1944. Deployed near Sarrebourg on 27 November. Fought around Bitche and against Siegfried Line in December. Battled German Nordwind offensive in January 1945. Converted to M18’s in March and crossed the Rhine on the last day of the month. Joined the stiff fight at Heilbronn on 8 April and then advanced to the Austrian border by month’s end. Cleared the Bavarian mountains and took Innsbruck in early May. Attached to: 45th, 100th, 103d Infantry divisions; 106th Cavalry Group. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.
Combat Equipment: 12/44 – Towed 3″ Gun; 3/45 – M18
Commanding Officers: Maj. Clint H. Smith
Code Name/s: Warlike
Campaign Credits: Rhineland……………………Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945
Ardennes-Alsace…………..Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945
Central Europe……………..Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945
Awards: None
Location August 1945: Fort Jackson, SC
Additional Information/Materials:
1.) Panther Soup, book by John Gimlette – Author follows the path of the 824th Tank Destroyer Battalion as guided by archival research on the unit and a veteran of the unit, Putnam Flint. This is not a “history” of the unit but may have some valuable information. The book came out in 2008, so it is still available through most booksellers. The link I have included is for Amazon’s listing. The book is 400 pages and was published by Alfred A. Knopf of New York. I do have a copy of this book and would be willing to look through it closer if you have a particular question about it.
2.) Company B Photo – Taken while the unit was stationed at Camp Hood, TX. The photo was provided courtesy of Mel Lavin who I have identified in the photo with a red arrow. PFC John Borawski has been identified by his son, Michael, as standing in the back row, sixth guy to the left of the company guidon. WARNING – LARGE FILE
3.) Headquarters Co. Group Photo – Taken at the same location as the B Company photo and probably around the same date which I believe to be sometime in early 1944 since the unit shipped out in October 1944. Note that many of the men as shown with the M3 Submachine gun. It is interesting that no Captain seems to be shown in the image. The only person identified is Alfred W. Adams, who is sitting in the first seated row, fourth from the right.
3.) Group Photo on Ship – This is a group from the 824th, probably taken on their trip home from Europe. The only soldier identified is Eli Kazan who is holding the sign, just above the T and A in the word “TANK”. The photo was provided by Lance Mallinson, who is the son of Walter L. Mallinson of C Company.
4.) Officers Group Photo – Taken at an unknown location in October 1943. The only positive identification we have is Captain Edward G. Ditch, who was the battalion physician. He is sitting in the front row, second from the left. Photo courtesy of Robert W. Philbrook who is married to Dr. Ditch’s granddaughter. Also shown in the photo is Lt. Max Heller, who is standing in the back row, second from the right.
5.) Unit Historical Reports – from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
Aug. 10, 1942-Nov. 28, 1944…….8 Pages (Some areas difficult to read)
Mar. 14, 1944………………………..6 Pages (S.O.P. Standard Operation Procedures)
Nov. 28-Dec. 31, 1944…………..10 Pages (Includes casualties)
Jan. 1-31, 1945…………………..11 Pages (Includes awards and casualties)
Feb. 1-28, 1945…………………….7 Pages (Includes casualties)
Mar. 1-31, 1945…………………..10 Pages (Includes casualties)
Apr. 1-30, 1945…………………..16 Pages (Some areas poor, includes casualties)
May 1-10, 1945…………………….6 Pages
May 11-31, 1945…………………..5 Pages (Some areas difficult to read. Includes awards)
Jun. 1-Sep. 11, 1945……………..3 Pages (Includes awards list)
6.) Daily TD Reports – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
April 25-30, 1945………………..10 Pages
May 1-4, 1945……………………..8 Pages
7.) General Orders – Issued by the 103rd Infantry Division for awards to unit members. Courtesy of Tom Hubred.
Part 1……………………………….17 Pages
Part 2……………………………….16 Pages
Part 3……………………………….16 Pages
Part 4……………………………….15 Pages
8.) Miscellaneous Documents – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.
Org. of TD Bn’s in August, 1942, May 5, 1942……………………………..3 Pages
S.O. #181, 899th Personnel transferred to the 824th, July 17, 1942….2 Pages
Organization History, May 11-31, 1945…………………..6 Pages (Includes awards)
Troop Assignment #147, June 12, 1945……………….18 Pages
9.) Photo Gallery