TankDestroyer.net

SEEK * STRIKE * DESTROY

820th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History:  Activated on 25 June, 1942, at Camp Swift, Texas.  Arrived Liverpool, England, on 15 October, 1944 and at Omaha Beach with towed guns two days later. Moved to the Ardennes sector in early December, where the battalion was deployed with the 106th Infantry Division in the path of the German offensive.  Converted to M18’s in early 1945.  Supported operations in the Ruhr Pocket in April 1945.  Crossed Germany to Mesto Touskov area in Czechoslovakia by early May.  Attached to: 13th Armored Division; 97th, 106th Infantry Divisions.  History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide.  Used by permission.

Combat Equipment: 12/44 – Towed 3″ Gun; 4/45 – M18

Commanding Officers:  Lt. Col. Raymond T. Tompkins;  Lt. Col. John F. deV Patrick

Code Name/s:  Clambake

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:  Camp Swift, TX

Additional Information/Materials:

The following materials have been provided courtesy of John Hooks and were gathered while doing research on his grandfather, Corporal G.P. Lane, who was a member of the unit’s Reconnaissance Company.  For many years, these materials were posted on a website, which John had created, dedicated to the 820th.  We want to thank him for his continued efforts to preserve the history of his grandfather’s service and the 820th.

1.)  A, B & C Company Roster – While the unit was stationed at Camp Breckinridge,
      Kentucky, September 21, 1944. On the Company C roster is a listing for
      Hollmans,_____, Pfc. The entry should be Hollemans, Donald L., T/5.

2.)  Unit Journal – Headquarters Company, April 10 – 16, 1945………..12 Pages

      Unit Journal – Headquarters Company, April 16 – 22, 1945………..12 Pages

3.)  Changes in Organization

4.)  Enemy Loss Summary – April 19 – 30, 1945

5.)  Historical Text, Co. B – text copied from a previous website, authored by Joe Castelli
                                       and posted at seniorvoice.org.

6.)  After Action Reports – from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, except as noted.

         Dec. 1-31, 1944…………8 Pages (A RE-TYPED VERSION courtesy of John Hooks)

         Dec. 1-31, 1944…………3 Pages (1st Platoon, Recon Co.)

         Dec. 1-31, 1944…………3 Pages (2nd Platoon. Recon Co. Some areas difficult to read)

         Dec. 1-31, 1944…………3 Pages (Co. A,) (A RE-TYPED VERSION courtesy of John Hooks)

         Dec. 1-31, 1944…………3 Pages (HQ Company) Courtesy of John Hooks.

         Dec. 11-31, 1944……….4 Pages (Company B)

         Dec. 11-25, 1944……….2 Pages (Company C)

         Apr. 4-18, 1945………..14 Pages (A RE-TYPED VERSION courtesy of John Hooks)

         Apr. 19-30, 1945………..6 Pages (A RE-TYPED VERSION courtesy of John Hooks)

         May 1-8, 1945……………5 Pages (A RE-TYPED VERSION courtesy of John Hooks)

7.)  Company B History – A 28 page document, done in January of 1946, and edited by 1st Lt. Frank A. Pietranton.  Provided courtesy of Ron Wille. (Warning Large File)

8.)  Historical Narratives – From the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.

         Dec. 1-22, 1944………….1 Page

         April 1-30, 1945………….5 Pages

         May 1-31, 1945…………..1 Page

9.) 1942 Christmas Menu – Menu from the unit’s December 25, 1942 Christmas celebration.  In addition to the list of food, the pamphlet includes a listing of the unit’s Officers and Enlisted men totalling about 341.  Interestingly the 9 men of the unit’s medical detachment are included.  Here is a typed version of the roster. Provided courtesy of W. Russell Artley.

10.)  Photo Gallery