Infantrymen of the 311th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, along with an M-36 from the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, move up to clear the Germans from a sector near the Roer River.  Jan 30, 1945.  Signal Corps Photo #337933 from the National Archives.

A photo provided by Eric Allegrucci, son of Anthony Allegrucci, who was a member of B Company of the 893rd.  Anthony is not shown in the photo but is believed to be taking the photo. Note that the men had named their M10, "Buckin Bum".  Obviously the name reflected the not-so-smooth ride provided by the TD.  The three men in the photo are not identified.

Here you can see David Golub standing on far right with his arm around Anthony Allegrucci.  Both men have been identified as belonging to B Company of the 893rd.  It's probable that the rest of the men are from B company also.  Photo provided courtesy of Eric Golub.

A camp site, possibly from the early training of the 893rd tank destroyer battalion.  Provided courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A street photo with troops in the distance and transport vehicles. Provided courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A group of soldiers meeting, or playing a game, while on board ship.  Not sure which ocean voyage this may have been for Robert E. Palmer whose daughter, Debbie, provided the photo. During most of the voyage to Europe, troops remained below deck.  The ride home was obviously more relaxed.  When soldiers returned home, many did not return with their combat unit but came back with other units or in small groups.

Robert E. Palmer (left) of the 893rd tank destroyer battalion poses with an unknown soldier.  Photo courtesy Debbie Palmer Reiber. 

Robert E. Palmer stands in front with arm extended.  Behind him stands what were probably other members of his company and or platoon.  The unit utilized M10 Tank Destroyers throughout the war.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

An early photo of Robert E. Palmer while on maneuvers or training somewhere in the U.S.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A few soldiers and some civilians in an unknown location.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

Troops along a roadside, very near a body of water.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A column of M10 TD's of the 893rd tank destroyer battalion.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

Another shot of the tents that the men used during training and while on maneuvers.  Because of the earlier shot, the legs may be those of Robert E. Palmer.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A shot of a soldier, of the 893rd, sitting on the front of his M10 tank destroyer.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

A small ship welcoming home some of the troops.  Probably taken by Robert E. Palmer of the 893rd when he was arriving back in the U.S.  Photo courtesy of Debbie Palmer Reiber.

The deck of the troopship returning to the U.S. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A soldier poses with a downed plane. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Four soldiers pose with their M10 Tank Destroyer. Note that the M10 looks like it has a machine gun at the front and back of the turret. Field modifications were not unusual and were done to better equip the men for the particular threats they encountered. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.  

A view, from above an abandoned German plane, showing the ammunition laying out on top of the wings. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

An abandoned German Tank which looks to be a King Tiger.  They were a formidable foe for the US tank destroyers. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Seven men pose with their M10 tank destroyers. The TD on the right has been modified with some type of rack or cover over the turret. The turrets on all tank destroyers were open and subject to sniper fire and hand grenades. Modifications like a turret cover were tested but did not become part of regular production. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Four soldiers pose along a road that had been cleared of mines, but as the sign identifies, they had only been cleared between the arrows. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A small Belgian flag that was given to the soldiers when their town was liberated. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A soldier in a German helmet and overcoat. The boots and leggings make me think this is probably an American soldier doing his best German impression. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A soldier sits on a horse in front of what may be quarters for US troops. Many larger buildings, such as schools and government facilities, were used as barracks for housing of troops while overseas. Since their helmet insignia cannot be clearly seen, it is difficult to identify if these man are actually part of the 893rd or not. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Men prepare to board a small boat to cross a canal or stream. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Four soldiers inspect a downed German plane. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster

A number of soldiers inspect a German artillery piece and the tracked vehicle used to pull it. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A soldier sits on top of a German King Tiger tank. Its armor was up to 7 inches thick and was diffcult for allied armor piercing (AP) ammunition to penetrate. TD crews had to quickly learn the weakness of these tanks to destroy or disable them. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

After the war had ended and soldiers were on occupational duties there was some time for recreational activiities. Here a soldier displays a fine fish, caught in one of the area rivers. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

The soldiers had to maintain their training and preparedness during the occupation. Here an M10 shoots into some trees, possibly as part of a training exercise. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Three soldiers pose for a photo. Courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Another group of soldiers posing for a photo. Courtesy of Charles Brewster.

The Miss American ferry welcomed home thousands of soldiers as they entered the New York Harbor. Photo couretsy of Charles Brewster.

Here a side view of the Miss America ferry shows the banner welcoming the soldiers and telling them "Well Done" from a grateful nation. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

Two soldiers pose at a jeep. Note the cable cutter mounted to the front of the jeep, installed to protect soldiers from cables that may be strung across roads to hurt them. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A detail of the underside of a German plane wing exposes the place where the wheel and strut would fold into the wing during flight. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A German banner signed by 23 members of A company, on VE Day, May 8, 1945. The names are; Pfc. Daniel P. Bacakos from Nebraska, T/5 Willard G. Cush from North Carolina, T/4 John L. Cornell, Jr. from West Virginia, Pvt. Frank J. Curtis from New Jersey, T/4 Donald H. Davies from Kansas, Cpl. Willard H. Davis from Ohio, Cpl. Robert B. Florer from Kentucky, Pfc. Alfred J. DeCastro from Massachusetts, Cpl. Audray A. Deetz from Kansas, Pfc. Hubert F. Dortland from Kansas, Pvt Peter (Pietro) P. Favata from New York, Emil G. Gelinas from Massachusetts, Sgt. John O. Haas from Ohio, Sgt. Jacob "Jake" C. Huffman from Pennsylvania, Sgt. Homer E. Kelley from Ohio, Pfc. Luther F. Kramer from Michigan, Pfc. Trask R. Lyons from Maine, T/5 William O. Martin from Texas, Pvt. Michael Oliveri from New York, Pvt. Philip G. Ouellette from Maine, Pfc. Charles E. Ritenaur of Pennsylvania, Cpl. Steve L. Rito, Jr. from Ohio and Sgt. William Brewster from West Virginia. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster. 

A watercolor taken from a dead German soldier shows an artillery piece sitting in the midst of a number of small homes. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.

A German 'Panther' Panzer sits abandoned in some brush. Photo courtesy of Charles Brewster.