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(From Yet Another Source)
A NATURAL FOR TANKS
Though activated in mid-1941, the 3d Armored
"Spearhead" Division did not go into action until the end of
June 1944. Its first action took place in the Villers-Fossard salient
north of St Lo. It was during that time that the tankers of the outfit
got their first taste of battle. Even though in great disarray after the
massed bombing preparatory to the Allied breakout, units of the 2nd
Panzer Division still offered resistance.
Among the young and excited armored knights of the 32d Regiment, 3d
Armored Division was SSgt Lafayette G. Pool, from Sinton, Texas. Pool
seemed to be a natural to mechanized warfare. In his very first
engagement, his tank, "In the Mood," was responsible for the
destruction of over 70 German soldiers and three armored vehicles. He
quickly became known as "the Texas Tanker."
He had a crew that was also a natural for the task. PFC Richards, the
driver, and Corporal Close, the co-driver/machine gunner were ably
complemented by Corporal Oller, the gunner and T/5 Boggs, the loader. It
was said that Oller saw all of France through the sights of his cannon.
He seemed to always have his eyes pressed to that sight, and the sooty
imprint of tanker's goggles was a part of his natural look.
On one occasion, night had overtaken the tank platoon and Sgt. Pool
was about to call it a day. As he opened his mouth to order,
"Driver, halt" the shape of a 40mm dual purpose AA gun
emplacement materialized less than 50 feet from In the Mood. He shouted
with no warning, "Gunner, Fire!" Oller, his eyes perpetually
pressed against the sights instantly responded, putting a round directly
through the enemy gun and taking it out.
AN ARMORED MELEE
In another encounter in the late afternoon some days later, Pool's
platoon was skirting south of the town of Colombier, France when a
German Panther rolled directly in front of the lead tank. It quickly got
off two rounds, but the nervous enemy gunner missed both times. Before a
third projectile could fly from the long, deadly looking 75mm barrel,
Pool's gun barked and ripped the Panther turret from the hull. At that
range, even the Sherman could be deadly!
As it turned out, they had driven into a veritable armored hornet's
nest. Remnants of the 2nd Panzer Division were reconnoitering in the
area. Firing began at once and the enemy seemed to come from everywhere.
Colonel Richardson, commander of the 32d Regiment could hear the orders
and the swearing from the crews as they frantically tried to adjust to
the unforeseen encounter. By dark, it was all over. Pool and In the Mood
had taken out two enemy tanks and at least two armored cars. Dismounted
German crews were fed lead for a late supper by machine gunner Close.
The action brought Pool up for another medal. By the time the
Siegfried Line had been reached, the young "Texas Tanker" had
been awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Legion of Merit and
the French Croix de Guerre with gold star. He was also twice nominated
for the Congressional Medal of Honor. By the time Pool was
wounded in action near the German border, he and his crew had accounted
for the destruction of 258 enemy armored vehicles, taking 250 enemy
prisoners and killing over 1,000 German soldiers...quite a record for a
single tank crew! Pool survived the war and lived to receive high honors
from US Armor Association Awards Program. His CO later said of him,
"Pool is the tanker of tankers."
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