TankDestroyer.net

SEEK * STRIKE * DESTROY

631st Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History:  Activated 15 December, 1941, at Camp Blanding, Florida.  Reorganized as a towed battalion in December, 1943.  Arrived at Gourock, Scotland, on 5 August, 1944, and at Utah Beach on 31 August.  Performed rear-area duties in France, Luxembourg, and Germany for the duration of the campaign as part of Third Army. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide.  Used by permission.

Combat Equipment:  1943 – Towed 3″ Gun   1945 – M36

Commanding Officers: Major Harold P. Nathan (Orig. CO); Lt. Col. Louis C. Cadenhead

Code Name/s:  Handbook

Campaign Credits:  Northern France……………Jul. 25, to Sept. 14, 1944

                                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:  Lenggries, Germany

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)  Unit Histories – From the NARA.

          December, 1941 – December, 1943………..5 Pages
       1944……………………………………………….4 Pages
       1945……………………………………………….4 Pages – Includes map showing route
       of unit through France and Germany.

2.)  Various Orders and Attachment Directives – From the Dwight D. Eisenhower
      Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.

        1943 – 1944…………………………………….10 Pages

3.)  Honors celebration pamphlet – 3rd Platoon, Company A.  From the NARA.

4.)  Company A Group Photo – Taken at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in May 1943. Photo
        courtesy of the Keith Lindie Estate.

5.)  Company B Group Photo – Taken at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in May 1943.

6.)  Company C Group Photo – Taken at Camp Shelby, Mississippi in May 1943. Photo
        courtesy of Paul Stevens.

7.)  Thanksgiving Menu & Roster 1943 – Company A, menu and roster from when the unit
        was stationed at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. The booklet also contains a number of
        signatures of the men and their hometowns. The original owner added a few notes
        about some of the men. Provided courtesy of Henry Anderson.

8.)  Photo Gallery

9.)  Tiger Rag Issues – A weekly publication by the enlisted men of the 631st from the after-war period. The first issues identifies that each Company was represented in creation of the publication. Its goal was to provide complete coverage of the major news items, with the aid of pictures, cartoons and humerous features and to give creidt where credit was due for outstanding performances in military, athletics, and recreactions. It was also to stimulate interests the various activities of the unit and provide a useful souvenir. All issues were published while the unit was stationed at Lenggries, Germany. Provide courtesy of Serge Lemaire who received them from Jane Cubides who is the daughter of 1st Lt. Morton Eisen. Morton had served with the 825th TD Bn through the war but transferred to the 631st in August of 1945.

Volume 1, Number 1 – July 21, 1945

Volume 1, Number 2 – July 28, 1945

Volume 1, Number 3 – August 4, 1945

Volume 1, Number 4 – August 11, 1945

Volume 1, Number 5 – August 18, 1945

Volume 1, Number 6 – August 25, 1945

Volume 1, Number 7 – September 1, 1945

Volume 1, Number 8 – September 8, 1945

Volume 1, Number 10 – September 22, 1945