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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
801st TD Battalion
Four soldiers of the 801st pose for a photo. In the distance, a small farm where some the men may have been staying during occupational duties. The only identified man is William C. Brown, who is standing on far right. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Four M18s of the 801st are lined up in a field. At the far end, an M20 finishes the line-up. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
After the war, when the men weren't on duty, the had time for recreation. Along with baseball, volleyball was a regular pasttime for the men. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A group of six men, including Carl DeBrecht (kneeling in front row on left), pose for a photo near their barracks. This may have been during their time at Camp Hood, Texas.Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A group of 13 men from the 801st take time for a photo. A small boy can be seen on the far right. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
The Camp Hood sign located at the main entrance to the base near Killeen, Texas. The base was later renamed Fort Hood and renovations begun in 1950, with the start of the Korean War. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Two soldiers stand atop a captured Messerschmitt Bf 110 C. Many German planes and other equipment was abandoned as Allied troops moved closer to central Germany and German troops retreated. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo of Carl J. Debrecht, at the same fence where a group photo had been taken. A few chidren look on as Carl poses. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht on right with another soldier. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht stands center rear with the other members of his M20 crew. The M20 was used by each of the TD companies for personnel transport, as a command car, reconnaissance and many other missions. It was equipped with a 50 cal. machine gun with a top speed of about 56 mph. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Another shot of Carl J. DeBrecht, on far right, with other members of his M20 crew. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht stands on far right with some other members of the unit. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo of Carl J. DeBrecht and his wife Victoria during his training in the U.S. The couple had only been married a few years when he entered the Army. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht stands at the end of one of the many barracks used by the men during their training. The 801st spent some time at Camp Hood, Texas, Fort Benning, Georgia and Camp Sutton, North Carolina before shipping out to England. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht stands at a small trailer, which may have been used for married personnel or their wives. It looks like they have tomato plants growing. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht stands in the center with two unknown soldiers of the 801st. Just behind them is a sign designating the area for the unit as well as their location on 48th Street of the camp. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Pfc Carl J. DeBrecht sits on the porch of a brick home. This may have been taken while he was on leave. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl J. DeBrecht relaxes for a moment. Not sure if this was taken while still in the U.S. or after the war had ended. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl DeBrecht is shown posing with a Thompson Sub-Machine Gun. Although the men would have received training with full-sized rifles, due to the limited room available inside the TDs, the men received additional training with smaller arms, such as the Thompson and M1 Carbine. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl Debrecht poses in his coveralls, which were worn by many of the TD crew members. In the distance is the Camp's water tower. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo of the Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles, located near Paris, France. Mark may have visited this location after the war, while on leave from his unit or possibly while on his way home. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht and thank you to Arnold Teusch, who identified the location.
The soldiers take a break next to their jeep. The small farm may have been used for lodging some of the men or been a stop on their patrol. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A group of men from Company C, take some time to snap a photo. Shown on the very top left, with no shirt and no helmet, is Melvin H. Miller. Note the second photographer on the far near right of the image. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
One of the unit's M18 tank destroyers. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
The Lieutenant at right is probably the platoon leader. He kneels with an unknown soldier for a photo. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Another photo of the platoon leader. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
An M20 is parked by a barn while the men take a break. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Here you can clearly see the identifying markings on this M20. The "3A801TD" identifies that they were attached to the 3rd Army and that their unit was the 801st. On the side is the unit's serial number and the name given to the vehicle by the men. "Vicky" must have meant something to one or all of the men. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht
Although not identified on our unit page for the 801st, this image seems to show the men working on one of the M36B1 TDs. The M36B1 was different from the M36 issued in the fall of 1944 because it featured the 90 mm gun turret on a Medium Tank M4A3 hull and chassis. There were less than 200 produced. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo of an unknown soldier posing with two of the unit's M18s. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
An M18 and its crew. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A group of six soldiers stop for a photo. By the looks of their uniforms, these men may not have all been part of the 801st. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo taken at Panther Park, which was leased to Camp Hood during the war, by the City of Lampasa. It was used as a place of recreation for the soldiers and was known as the "enlisted men's country club". It featured a spring-fed pool, ice skating in winter, horseback riding, hiking, bicycling and a pavilion where bands would play and dances were held. The park consisted of about 120 acres. Photo courtesy of Mark Debrecht.
Another soldier stands at the 801st area sign along 48th Street in Camp Hood. Photo courtesy of Mark Debrecht.
A soldier poses in a German uniform with a captured Stug III. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A soldier is seen wearing a suit jacket and pants and poses with one of the locals for a photo. A group of soldiers can be seen in the background, which may indicate that the item being exchanged or the occsion may be significant. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A solider holds a model plane he probably found in a German home. Note the Nazi Swastika on the tail. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A soldier poses with a Thompson machine gun. The Thompson was one of the guns the TD soldiers trained with and used because of its compact size. It would easily fit inside their various vehicles. Photo couretsy of Mark DeBrecht.
Another soldier with the Thompson machine gun, which was used by many of the TD soldiers. The M1 carbine was also used due to its compact size. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
An unknown T/3 ranked soldier stops for a photo. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Another shot of a lone M18 and its crew. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Looking down the muzzle end of one of the unit's TDs. The five man crew consisted of the Commander, a gunner, loader (asst. gunner), driver and assistant driver/radioman. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Although normally the TD crew consisted of 5 men, occasionally there were cases where 6 men served in the same unit. In this case, the man standing on the TD looks to be an officer and was most likely the Platoon Commander and not one of the crew. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Another shot of a TD crew and their M18. Note the line of equipment behind them. After the war had ended, both tanks and tank destroyer units were utilized for occupational duties, partially as a show of strength. It was not unusual for TDs and Tanks to be parked in public places as subtle reminders of Allied control. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A couple of soldiers standing by a fenced in area, which may have been a Command Post or even a holding area for prisoners or displaced persons. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Two soldiers pose for a photo. Courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Carl DeBrecht's wife Victoria sits on the front of a car parked at what may have been trailers used for married soldiers and their wives. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
A photo shot between some of the many barracks used to house soldiers. Photo courtesy of Mark DeBrecht.
Major James E. Bulger, on far left, takes part in Mass ceremonies while serving in the 801st. Photo courtesy of Patricia Bulger Setford.
Major James E. Bulger, leaning over on left, inspects what I believe is a GN-58 Hand Crank Generator, for a Signal Corps radio. Photo courtesy of Patricia Bulger Setford.
Major James E. Bulger stands as witness on left to what may be a swearing in ceremony. This looks to be sometime after the war since he is wearing his WWII ribbons. The other officer is wearing a Sixth Army patch. Photo courtesy of Patricia Bulger Setford.
At the time of this image, the 801st was training in Ft. Hood, which is located in Killeen, Texas. This shot looks like it may have been taken off the base. Wayne Simola is on right with an unidentified soldier on left. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
Here Wayne Simola stands on left with an unidentified soldier on right. Behind them is the very large Camp Hood sign, located at the entrance to the camp. Although I don't have the exact dimensions, some time ago I tried to calculate it's size at approximately 18' high x 30' wide. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
Wayne Simola stands at a billboard for the town of Lampasas, which is about 27 miles west of Fort Hood. The solider on right is unidentified. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
Wayne Simola stands next to one of the unit's medical or ambulance trucks. The shot is identified as being taken at Fort Hood, Texas, where the 801st was stationed from late 1942, till February of 1944. It was at that point that they moved to Boston, in preparation for shipment overseas. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
Aother shot of the Camp Hood sign showing only Wayne Simola. You can get a better idea of the shear size of the sign from this image. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
Wayne Simola stands on far left with three unidentified soldiers at the Killeen City Hall. Although Camp Hood was located in Killeen, this would have been in the city proper and not on base. Photo courtesy of Mike Ellingsen.
A large group of men, taking a rest from the training of the day. In the background, a towed gun can be seen. The photo was labelled "801 Anti Tank" which probably dates this as being in the early days of the unit, while they were still in the U.S. Photo courtesy of Mark Finster.
Another photo from the 801st and their training days. Here is seen a few of the unit playing a game of cards during their down-time. Courtesy of Mark Finster.
Shown is Private First Class, John R. Finster, probably during the unit's occupational time in Germany. Note the cable cutter on the front of the Jeep. Photo courtesy of Mark Finster.
Another photo of John R. Finster, sitting at the doorway of a building, possibly the unit's headquarters or where the men were housed at the time. Courtesy of Mark Finster.
John R. Finster shown sitting on the barrel of one of the unit's M18 Tank Destroyers. The other soldier is unknown. Photo courtesy of Mark Finster.
John R. Finster poses for a photo. Courtesy of Mark Finster.
