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Home
People
Honorees
Honor A Veteran
Unknowns
TD Association
TD Society
Contributors
Research
Medal Of Honor
Places
Camp Hood, Texas
Elbe Muster
Dachau 1
Gardelegen Massacre**
Dachau 2 **
Various Places 1
Various Places 2
Maps
Things
Axis Armor
Allied TDs
References
Links
Manuals
Videos
Articles
Memorabilia
Militaria
TDs In Action
Classifieds
Units
Brigades
Groups
Battalions 600
Battalions 700
Battalions 800
Training Battalions
Unit Photo Galleries
Research
703rd TD Battalion
The old and new in tank busters....M-10, on left, is equipped with three-inch gun, while the more modern M-36 is armed with a 90MM piece. Both in use with the 703rd TD Bn., 3rd ID in Stolberg, Germany. Oct 24, 1944. Signal Corps photo #195748 from the National Archives.
Shot-up German Panzer V, Panther G, tank showing effects of 90mm shell tests by the 703rd TD Bn, 3rd Armd Div. Two hits in front armor, two in turret. Dec 9, 1944. Signal Corps Photo #197893 from the National Archives.
Andrew Phillips is shown on far left with two unknown soldiers. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
One of two shots of a huge German flag obtained by members of the 703 TD battalion. Andrew Phillips is shown third from right with the sword pointing at the swastika. Andrew related to his family that the men drew straws to see who would get the flag.....he won but later gave it to a crew-mate. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
Second of two shots of a huge German flag obtained by members of the 703 TD battalion. Andrew Phillips is shown second from right with the sword pointing at the swastika. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
Andrew Phillips is shown coming out the driver's hatch. Three other members of his crew are shown too. Notice the thick plates fastened to the angular front surface of the tank destroyer. Both the M10 and M36 came prepared with large bolts and washers on the angled exterior surfaces to accept additional armor plating. The TDs were never provided with the additional Armor but it was not unusual for the men to add sandbags and other materials to provide some additional protection. Andrew was a skilled welder prior to the war and added what looks like 3 inches or steel plates to his TD. He told his family that he added these same type plates to a number of TDs in the unit. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
Another shot of Andrew Phillips with members of his crew. The 703rd had M10 Tank Destroyers but converted over to M36s in October of 1944, only a few months before the Battle of the Bulge. It was the 90mm gun of the M36 that finally gave the U.S. forces a weapon that could penetrate the thick armor of German tanks. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
Andrew Phillips us shown on far right with two unknown soldiers. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
A small German flag also won by Andrew by drawing straws. This one he kept and carried in his jacket pocket throughout the unit's time in Germany. He kept track of the towns they passed through and documented his unit, the 703rd TD Battalion, as well as the 3rd Armored (Spearhead) Division and 1st Army they were attached to. He also noted the death of Major General Maurice Rose on March 30, 1945. It is reported that he was shot by a German Tank Commander while Rose was trying to surrender a few miles south of Paderborn. He was the highest ranking Jewish-American ever killed in action and was buried with his men near Ittenbach, Germany.
Shown is Andrew Phillips on top with two unknown soldiers in an M20 Scout vehicle. Photo courtesy of Scott Phillips.
An M-36 of the 703rd TD Bn, 3rd AD, moves past a disabled German tank to engage the enemy one-half mile ahead, south of Langlir, Belgium. January 13, 1945. Signal Corps Photo #421456 from the National Archives.
An M36 tank destroyer with a 90mm gun is pulled out of the ditch near Manhay, Belgium. The unit is identified as Company B of the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battalion, which was attached to the 3rd Armored Division at that time. A close inspection of the photo by one of our Honoree families may have identified the dark-haired soldier leaning on the TD as Andrew Phillips. He and others from the crew are probably trying to dig down to the unit's tow eye to make a connection. Photo provided courtesy of Charles Corbin and his website dedicated to the 3rd Armored Spearhead Division in which he was a member.
Taken at Camp Polk, Louisiana, in the spring of 1942. Shown left to right is Brousseau, Hall, Clifford O'Conner and Al Morrie. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Taken at Camp Polk, Louisiana, in the spring of 1942. Shown left to right is Clifford O'Conner, Selle, Brousseau, Hall and Cameronand. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Al Morrie poses at Camp Polk, Louisiana in 1942. Al was killed during the Battle of the Bulge, on December 23, 1944. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A posed photo of brothers Lawrence (left) and Al Morrie (right), taken in 1943, prior to the men shipping overseas. Al was a close friend of Clifford O'Connor. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Shown is Anctil on left and Carlson on right. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another shot of the desert and distant mountains, which Clifford O'Connor describes as "just plain rocks burned to a brownish color by the scorching sun." Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Shown is Brousseau on left and Carlson on right. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Al Brousseau sits in his tent, trying to write a letter, on a make-shift desk. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A photo of B Company waiting in the chow line at Camp Rice, which was part of the Desert Training Center. Camp Rice was one of the more primitive camps containing mostly tents with dirt floors. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another photo of Clifford O'Connor (left) and Al Morrie (right) while on leave and visiting family. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor with his "before the war" girlfriend, Dorothy "Dottie" Smith, who was from Hartford Connecticut. The couple became engaged soon after his return from the war. They were married in 1946. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor poses in full Scottish costume, which he and his friend Roland Anctil tried on for St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1944. The unit was stationed in the United Kingdom during this period, just prior to their landing in France. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Roland Anctil poses in full Scottish costume for St. Patrick's Day, March 17, 1944. He and friend Clifford O'Connor posed for these photos prior to their landing in France. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford in front of one of the "huts" the men were housed in while stationed in England. He mentions that Al Morrie is still with him and living in the same hut. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Dated September 6, 1942, while on the Desert Training Center grounds. You can see the unit's vehicles lined up in the background. Clifford O"Connor notes on the back, "Me. What a sun tan, eh?" Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor stands at his tent and comments on how dark his hands had become while stationed in the desert. The Desert Training Center was known to be inhospitable and was thought to be similar to what the units would encounter in North Africa. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor on left, poses with Al Brousseau, while stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another shot of Clifford O'Connor while stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana, in 1942. He identified that the cap and belt were borrowed and because he was standing at attention, he wasn't supposed to be smiling. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Al Morrie is shown on left with Clifford O'Conner on right. The back of the photo says the two were just back from commando training in Texas. It also mentions that he (Clifford) was just out of the hospital, suffering from jaundice. Not only was Clifford affected but much of the unit. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another shot of Clifford O'Connor standing in front of one of the "huts" the men were housed in while stationed in England. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
While on a break from training at Camp Polk, Louisiana, a gun crew poses for a photo. The picture was taken in the spring of 1942, when the men were using the M3, 75mm GMC (Gun Motor Carriage). This was basically a half-track with a 75mm gun mounted on top. Shown in front, L to R is Tom Laughing Indian, Winkler, Mike Selle, Clifford O'Connor and Al Morre. Shown in back L to R is Etman and Jim Allen. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A photo of Clifford O'Connor, taken on May 1943, while on leave. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor poses with a borrowed guitar. The photo is dated on the back, April 15, 1942, and includes a message "I wish I could play one of these things, ha!!" Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Company B barracks at Camp Pickett, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another photo of B Company Street, in Camp Pickett, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
The Company B Kitchen, in August of 1942. The water cans are marked for B Company and at far right, a soldier sits on the edge of the ice-box, which is buried to help insulate it from the heat. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Taken at Camp Rice on September 6, 1942, the image shows men from the unit taking Holy Communion. Both Protestant and Catholic services were provided wherever and whenever possible. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Company B loading the train for shipment to Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Company B preparing to move east from the Desert Training Center to a new assignment in Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
An image of Company B Street of the 703rd Tank Destroyer Battaion, while they were stationed at Camp Polk, Louisiana. The date was February of 1942. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A portrait shot of Eddie Arsenault taken after the war since it looks like he is wearing his Good Conduct ribbon. Eddie was a close friend of Clifford O'Conner. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A shot of Ginger Roger's home in Hollywood, California. The soldiers were on leave and visited a number of celebrity homes as well as some of the more famous sites in the area. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Taken in England, on January 1944, Cliffrord O'Connor stands on far right with Whitey, center and Gore on far left. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A group of men come back to camp carrying shovels. This may have been part of their desert training or possible a disciplinary action. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another kitchen for one of the other TD Companies. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A group from B Company eagerly wait to hear if any mail has their name on it. The photo was taken at Camp Rice, during their desert training. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Soldiers entering the mess hall at Camp Pickett, Virginia. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Shown is the PX or "Post Exchange", which was an important place in the camp that allowed men to purchase some of the things that made the war a little easier to cope with and feel more like civilian life. A newspaper, candy, beer, cigarettes, razor blades, soap were items they may not have had available to them without the PX. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Taken in August 1942, Roland Anctil stands in front of their tent while stationed at the Desert Training Center. Roland was from Waterbury, Connecticut and was a close friend of Clifford O'Conner after the war as well. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A posed photo of Roland Anctil who was a close friend of Clifford O'Connor. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Roland Anctil and Al Brousseau climb into a Hollywood prop for a photo. The men were on a 2-day furlough and traveled to Los Angeles, CA. They took a number of photos at the Hollywood Hotel, Mission Inn and the Chinese Theater as well as a number of celebrity homes, including Claudette Colbert, Dorothy Lamour, Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
An individual shot of Roland Anctil, at the Desert Training Center. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
The 703rd shipped to Europe on the S.S. Shawnee. Like many other vessels used to transport soldiers, this ship was originally a cruise ship that was refitted to accommodate soldiers. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
The scenery around Camp Rice was quite beautiful although it was the California desert, hot and inhospitable to humans. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Taken in May 1943, while the unit was stationed at Fort Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in Pennsylvania. Shown is Koley on left, Scottie, right and Clifford O'Connor center. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Labeled as the "Four Musketeers" relaxing at the Red Cross Club at the Riviera in France. L to R is Johnie, Davy, Olie and Clifford O'Connor. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A slight close-up of three members of the "Musketeers", while on leave at the Riviera. The building to the rear is one of the casinos in Nice, France. Identified L to R as Davy, Olie and Clifford O'Connor. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A shot of the men with one of the local girls they met, while on leave in Southern France. Paul Keller, from Springfiled, MA, is sranding on far left with Clifford O'Connor is on far right. The others are unknown. Photo courtesy of Karne O. Bray.
Identified L to R as Big Soldier, Anctil and Allen at Camp Rice, in August of 1942. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another image from the Riviera in Southern France. Shown is Clifford O'Connor, Johnie and Davy. Date is August 2, 1945. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Here Clifford stands on far left with Davy next to him and Johnie on far right with some of the local French girls. Photo courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Labeled as "Buddies", this photo is of Clifford O'Connor's Tank Destroyer crew, although there would have only been five members in the TD. Shown kneeling L to R is Bud Fyock (Asst. Leader, Gunner Replacement), Cliff O'Connor (TD Commander), and Petrovich (Platoon Sgt.). Standing L to R is Ed Goosherst (Asst. Driver and Radioman), Francis Farney (Driver) and Dick Langerveld (Gunner). The photo was taken just east of Breinig, Germany in October of 1944. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Clifford O'Connor on right with Tony Cimino in front of Cliff's TD. Taken in Germany, October, 1944. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
Another shot of members of Cliff O'Connor's TD Crew. Shown L to right is Ed Goosherst (Asst. Driver and Radioman), Petrovich (Platoon Sgt.), Francis Farney (Driver), Dick Langerveld (Gunner), Cliff O'Connor (TD Commander) and an unknown soldier on far right. I wasn't able to identify the soldier on the gun barrel either. Taken just east of Breinig, Germany in October of 1944. Courtesy of Karen O. Bray.
A photo of the 703rd tank destroyer battalion on maneuvers, possibly taken while the unit was at the Desert Training Center in California. You can see Charles Esposito standing on the far left. Photo courtesy of Ray Esposito.
Shown is the crew of John Czajkowski's TD, including L to R at rear, the Platoon Commander Lt Claude Ball, Johnson, Pfc. William H. French and Bill Croccetirre, who was the TD Commander. In front row is Ace Maciak and John. French was killed on January 15, 1945, by an artillery shell. He is buried in the Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Hombourg, Belgium. Photo courtesy of Charles Czajkowski.
Shown in the back row is Bill Crochetierre and then John Czajkowski standing second and third from left. In front row is Ace Maciak on far right. The others are unknown. Taken after the war was over, in June 1945, and the unit was stationed at Damstadt, Germany. Courtesy of Charles Czajkowski.
A photo of two M10 tank destroyers of Company B of the unit. Courtesy of Scott Corbitt.
On ship crossing the Atlantic. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
On ship crossing the Atlantic. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Overlooking ships in the French harbor. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A troop camp in France, possibly one of the "cigarette" camps used to house soldiers preparing to ship home. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A soldier takes a close look at a tent heater/stove where he is probably making some food. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another shot of the troop camp in France. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan
It's hard to read but the sign over the doors says Camp Philip Morris which was one of the largest "Cigarette" camps located near Gainneville, which is in the Normandy region of France. The camp held up to 58,000 troops at one point. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another view of the camp. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A grouping of the stoves just outside of one of the Quonset hut barracks. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo taken just outside the camp. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray is shown in center with two unknown soldiers. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo from 1942, of Clair E. Murray as he says goodbye to his future wife Glenna. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Two unknown soldiers visit a park, while stationed in England. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of Clair E. Murray with a rifle, somewhere in France. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of three unknown soldiers. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
The men take a break for food and to read the paper. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
An M10 tank destroyer rolls along in a parade of troops and equipment in England. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of the Rock Hill Victory ship. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of what looks like some type of dock area. Note the tracks in the foreground, which would have been used to transport materials from the ships. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another photo of the Rock Hill Victory ship. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of the French coastline. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A convoy of vehicles full of troops. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another view of the troop convoy. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another photo of some men taking a break for food. The gun is an M1 Carbine, which was used by the TD soldiers, because it was shorter than the standard issue rifles and would fit in the close quarters of a TD. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A large group of troops waits for transport, either to the camp or possibly to a ship for the voyage to the U.K. or home. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray poses for a photo in a park, while stationed in England. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
The 703rd continued to train with their M10s no matter where they were stationed. This photo was taken in England and at the time of this photo, the markings indicate that they were assigned to the 1st Army and this was the 24th unit of Company A. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
A photo of two unknown soldiers posing in the same park as the earlier shot of Clair E. Murray. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray stands in about three feet of snow, somewhere in the Belgian countryside. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
The men's M10 is cleverly concealed in the trees. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray sits on the front deck of his M10 Tank Destroyer. There was no shortage of snow in Belgium during the 703rd's time in the country. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray stands with what I believe is an abandoned German gun. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Clair E. Murray and a few other soldiers wait for their food in the chow line. This is believed to be while still stationed in Belgium. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another view of the abandoned German gun with an unknown soldier posing with it. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
In this view, you can barely see the M10 hiding in the trees. Only the unit's left track and barrel can be seen. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
The snow on the M10 provides a bit of camoflauge with all the snow everywhere else. The travel lock for the barrel can be seen to the left of the soldier. Normally the travel lock was mounted at the rear of the unit and the barrel pointed backward during non-combat travel. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
Another view of their M10 hidden in the trees. Photo courtesy of Greg Ragan.
An interesting shot of the motor pool at Camp Picket, Virginia, where the 703rd did a portion of their training. You can see a Ford GPA (Amphibious Vehicle) also known as a "Seep" on the left. Unfortunately these particular units weren't very successful due to weight and relatively slow speed on land while not being very seaworthy in the open seas. Courtesy of Greg Ragan.
