40th Tank Battalion
7th Armored Division
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Last updated: October 5, 2020 - What's New?
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UNITS OF THE 40th TANK BATTALION:
The 40th Tank Battalion consisted of the following units
- Battalion Headquarters (Bn HQ/40) - see Battalion Officers section below
- Headquarters Company (HQ Co/40)
- HQ Co/40 Commanding Officer
- Capt. Glenn W. Grier, Jr. (??? - 2 August 1944 - about 8 April 1945)
Sources:
- 2 August 1944: returned from temporary duty at Sherborne, England (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 2 August 1944)
- 15 April 1945: returned from leave of 7 days plus travel and reassumed command (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 16 April 1945)
- 1st Lt. John J. Gartland (about 8 April 1945 - 15 April 1945)
Sources:
- 15 April 1945: relieved of command upon Capt. Grier's return from leave (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 16 April 1945)
- Capt. Glenn W. Grier, Jr. (??? - 2 August 1944 - about 8 April 1945)
Sources:
- 15 April 1945: returned from leave of 7 days plus travel and reassumed command (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 16 April 1945)
- HQ Co/40 Assault Gun Platoon Leader
- 2nd Lt. Franklin B. Hepworth (??? - 26-27 August 1944 - 17 September 1944)
Sources:
- 26 August 1944: lightly injured in action at or between Voisenan, France and 4.5 mile north of Provins, France (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 27 August 1944)
- 27 August 1944: returned to duty; not hospitalized (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 29 August 1944)
- 17 September 1944: lightly wounded in action [probably at Marieulles, France] and lost to 34th Evacuation Hospital (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 17 September 1944)
- 2nd Lt. Herbert J. Borchers (20-21 September 1944; 21 October 1944 - 10 November 1944 [not as AG Platoon Leader])
Sources:
- 20 September 1944: assigned 19 September 1944 and joined 20 September 1944 from 53rd Replacement Battalion (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 20 September 1944)
- 21 September 1944: lightly wounded in action [probably near Sillegny, France] (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 20 September 1944)
- 21 October 1944: assigned 20 October 1944 and joined 21 October 1944 from 86th Replacement Battalion (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 21 October 1944)
- 10 November 1944: transferred to A/40 (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 10 November 1944)
- 2nd Lt. (later 1st Lt.) Franklin B. Hepworth (23 October 1944 - 11 november 1944 - ???)
Sources:
- 23 October 1944: assigned and joined from 86th Replacement Battalion (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 24 October 1944)
- 11 November 1944: promoted to 1st Lieutenant (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 19 November 1944)
- HQ Co/40 Mortar Platoon Leader
- 1st Lt. John J. Gartland (??? - 15 April 1945 - ???)
Sources:
- 15 April 1945: relieved of command of company upon Capt. Grier's return from leave; primary duty 1205 Armored Mortar Unit Commander (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 16 April 1945)
- Other HQ Co/40 Officers (Roles Not Yet Established)
- 1st Lt. Harvey W. Anderson (11 October 1944 - 4 November 1944 - ???)
Sources:
- 11 October 1944: assigned 10 October 1944 and joined 11 October 1944 from 86th Replacement Battalion (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 11 October 1944)
- 4 November 1944: lightly wounded in action by shrapnel in left leg near Horik, Holland; not hospitalized (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 5 November 1944, amended to 4 November 1944 and nature of wound given in Morning Report 14 November 1944)
- 2nd Lt. Dugan (??? - 2 August 1944)
Sources:
- 2 August 1944: transferred to ETO Reclassification Center No. 1 (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 2 August 1944)
- 2nd Lt. Robert C. Hoffstatter (10 October 1944 - ???) [replacement for Borchers in AG? replacement for McCormack?]
Sources:
- 10 October 1944: assigned 9 October 1944 and joined 10 October 1944 from 3rd Replacement Depot (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 10 October 1944)
- 2nd Lt. Woodrow H. McCormack (??? - 22 August 1944; 3-8 September 1944; 18-21 September 1944)
Sources:
- 22 August 1944: lightly wounded in action at Ponthierry, France (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 22 August 1944)
- 23 August 1944: lost to hospital (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 23 August 1944)
- 3 September 1944: reassigned and joined from 12th Evacuation Hospital (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 5 September 1944)
- 8 September 1944: slightly sick, non-battle, and lost to 109th Evacuation Hospital (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 12 September 1944)
- 18 September 1944: assigned 17 September 1944 and joined 18 September 1944 from 53rd Replacement Battalion (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 18 September 1944)
- 21 September 1944: slightly sick, non-battle, and lost to 109th Evacuation Hospital (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 29 September 1944 originally showed as 24 Sep but Morning Report 1 October 1944 amended to 21 Sep)
- Company "A" (A/40)
- A/40 Commanding Officer
- Capt. Malcolm O. Allen, Jr. (??? - 7 Dec 44, went on one-day leave)
- 1st Lt. Harold I. Fiedler (7 Dec 44 - 8 Dec 44, relieved upon return of Capt. Allen from one-day leave)
- Capt. Malcolm O. Allen, Jr. (8 Dec 44 - 26 Dec 44, sick, sent to Division Clearing Station and on 28 Dec to 77th Evacuation Hospital)
- 1st Lt. Harold I. Fiedler (26 Dec 44 - ???, probably upon return of Capt. Allen - but not yet known for certain)
- Capt. Malcolm O. Allen (??? - 29 Mar 45, lightly wounded between Cappel and Munchausen, Germany and sent to 102nd Evacuation Hospital)
- 1st Lt. Harold I. Fiedler (29 Mar 45 - ???)
- Other A/40 Officers (Roles Not Yet Established)
- 2nd Lt. Herbert J. Borchers (10 November 1944 - ???)
Sources:
- 10 November 1944: transferred from HQ Co/40 (HQ Co/40 Morning Report 10 November 1944)
- 2nd Lt. Leo J. Sametz (??? - 25 Sep 1944)
Sources:
- 25 September 1944: transferred from A/40 to Bn HQ/40 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 25 September 1944)
- A/40 Spreadsheets by Vince Webb, son of A/40 veteran Rufus Webb
- Combat Roster - all ranks
- Officers - This has information that has not yet been integrated into the officer list above.
- Company "B" (B/40): Medium Tanks
- Other B/40 Officers (Roles Not Yet Established)
- Capt. Emerson Wolfe (??? - 30 Dec 1944)
sources:
- 30 Dec 1944: transferred from B/40 to Bn HQ/40 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 30 Dec 1944)
- Company "C" (C/40): Medium Tanks
- Company "D" (D/40): Light Tanks
- Commanding Officer
- Capt. Walter J. Hughes (??? - 24 Dec 44, KIA at Manhay, Belgium)
- 2nd Lt. Edward D. Horn (24 Dec 44 - ???, probably until a new Captain was transferred in to replace Capt. Hughes)
- ???
- Service Company (SV/40)
- Commanding Officer
- 1st Lt. & Capt. John G. Wilmes (??? 12 Dec 1943 - 1 Feb 1945 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 1st Lt., Commanding Officer (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 1 Feb 1945: Captain, Commanding Officer (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 1 Feb 1945)
- Role Unknown
In the August-November 1944 Morning Reports, the company had two Captains. I do not have the December 1944-January 1945 MRs, but by 1 Feb 1945, the company had three Captains. The new Captain was Capt. Kelso, who was listed as "Attached, Unassigned".
- WOJB A. L. Brown (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 2nd Lt. J. T. Crummey (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- CWO C. M. Haas (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- Capt. Rupert E. Kelso (attached, unassigned, on or after 1 Dec 1944 - 9 Feb 1945 - 28 Feb 1945)
sources:
- 9 Feb 1945: returned to duty from slightly sick at Division Clearing Station (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 9 Feb 1945)
- 28 Feb 1945: slightly sick to 5th Evacuation Hospital (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 28 Feb 1945)
- 2nd Lt. E. E. Lasher (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 2nd Lt. T. H. Ryan (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- WOJG W. S. Sells (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- Capt. Milus M. Spring (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: Captain, but not Commanding Officer (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 2nd Lt. J. P. Sullivan (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 2nd Lt. N. R. Thompson (??? - 25 Dec 1943 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 2nd Lt. & 1st Lt. Daniel J. Walker (??? 25 Dec 1943- 15 Nov 1944- 8 Feb 1945 - ???)
sources:
- 25 Dec 1943: 2nd Lt. (Sv Co/40 Christmas 1943 Menu and Roster)
- 15 Nov 1944: Promoted from 2d Lt to 1st Lt as of 15 Nov 44 (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 18 Nov 1944)
- 7 Feb 1945: one day leave (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 7 Feb 1945)
- 8 Feb 1945: return from leave (Sv Co/40 Morning Report 8 Feb 1945)
- Enlisted Men: 1943 Christmas Dinner and Complete Roster of All Officers and Enlisted Men
- Medical Detachment (Med/40)
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BATTALION-LEVEL OFFICERS OF THE 40th TANK BATTALION:
Commanding officers (CO's) of the Battalion were:
- Lt. Col. Edward T. McConnell (??? - 23 Sept 44)
sources:
- 23 September 1944: lightly wounded in action and lost to 109th Evacuation Hospital - Bn HQ location: Lorry, France - Record of Events: "Remained in Bivouac Area at Lorry, France. Assault Gun platoon and 1 squad of Mortar platoon forward with attacking force. Still meeting strong enemy resistance. Weather, Rain. Morale, Fair." (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 23 Sep 1944)
- Maj. (Lt. Col. on 20 Oct 44) John C. Brown (23 Sept 44 - duration)
sources:
- 23 September 1944: "Assumes command" (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944; amended to "Assumed command 23 Sep 44" in Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 7 Nov 1944)
- 29 October 1944: promoted to Lt. Colonel (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 1 Nov 1944)
- 24 December 1944: lightly wounded in action not hospitalized "Shrapnel W, LW, Forehead" [probably lacerating wound to the forehead from shrapnel] (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 24 Dec 1944)
Executive officers of the Battalion were:
- Maj. John C. Brown (??? - 28 Sep 44, became CO of Bn)
- Maj. Leo G. Carlson (28 Sep 1944 - 20 Oct 44 - 15 Dec 44)
sources:
- Carl Corbin says the S-3 became Executive Officer when Corbin became S-3.
- 28 September 1944: "atchd fr other orgn" and principal duty changed from 2162 [apparently S-3] to 1203 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944) [NOTE: This probably actually happened 23 Sep 44, when Lt. Col. McConnell was wounded and evacuated.]
- 20 October 1944: relieved from attached from "Det 94, GFRS" and assigned "to this Bn, 20 Oct 44" (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 26 Oct 1944)
- 15 December 1944: relieved from assigned and assigned 7th Armored Division Headquarters (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 16 Dec 1944)
- ??? (15 Dec 44 - ???)
- Maj. Emerson Wolfe (??? - March 1945 - ???)
sources:
- Cited as executive officer in combat interview of Remagen Bridge Breakout at end of March 1945
S-1 officers (personnel) of the Battalion were:
S-2 officers (intelligence) of the Battalion were:
S-3 officers (operations) of the Battalion were:
- Maj. Carlson (??? - 28 Sep 1944)
sources:
- Carl Corbin says the S-3 became Executive Officer when Corbin became S-3.
- 28 September 1944: "atchd fr other orgn" and principal duty changed from 2162 [apparently S-3] to 1203 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944) [NOTE: This probably actually happened 23 Sep 44, when Lt. Col. McConnell was wounded and evacuated.]
- Capt. (Maj. on 11 Nov 44) Carl McArn Corbin (28 Sep 44 - 31 Dec 44, became CCR S-4)
sources:
- Carl Corbin says the S-3 became Executive Officer when Corbin became S-3.
- 28 September 1944: principal duty changed from 4010 [apparently S-4] to 2162 [apparently S-3] (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944) [NOTE: This probably actually happened 23 Sep 44, when Lt. Col. McConnell was wounded and evacuated.]
- 11 November 1944: promoted to Major (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 19 Nov 1944)
- 13 December 1944: from duty to 1 day leave, per Special Order #119 of HQ/40 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 13 Dec 1944)
- 14 December 1944: from 1 day leave to duty (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 14 Dec 1944)
- 31 December 1944: transferred to Combat Command "R" per paragraph 7 of 7AD Special Order #260 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 31 Dec 1944; Carl Corbin says he became CCR's S-4 officer)
- ???
S-4 officers (supply) of the Battalion were:
- Capt. Carl McArn Corbin (states - 28 Sept 44, became S-3)
sources:
- 28 September 1944: principal duty changed from 4010 [apparently S-4] to 2162 [apparently S-3] (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944) [NOTE: This probably actually happened 23 Sep 44, when Lt. Col. McConnell was wounded and evacuated.]
- 2nd Lt. (1st Lt. on 16 Nov 44) Leo J. Sametz (28 Sep 1944 - ???)
sources:
- 25 September 1944: transferred from A/40 to Bn HQ/40 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 25 September 1944)
- 28 September 1944: principal duty changed from 1203 to 4010 [apparently S-4] (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 28 Sep 1944) [NOTE: This probably actually happened 25 Sep 44, as soon as he was assigned, since the position had probably been vacant since Lt. Col. McConnell was wounded and evacuated on 23 Sep 44.]
- 16 November 1944: promoted to 1st Lt. (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 20 November 1944)
Adjutants of the Battalion were:
Other Bn HQ/40 Officers (Roles Not Yet Established)
- Capt. Raymond F. Gibney (??? - 15 Dec 1944; 27 Dec 44 - ???)
Sources:
- 16 Dec 1944: from duty to slightly sick and lost to 111th Evacuation Hospital (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 17 Dec 1944, amended 22 Dec 44)
- 27 Dec 1944: from 111th Evacuation Hospital to returned to duty (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 27 Dec 1944)
- Capt. Power (??? - 3 Aug 1944 - ???)
Sources:
- 3 Aug 1944: returned to duty from temporary duty in London, England (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 3 Aug 1944)
- Maj. Sweat (??? - 2 Aug 1944 - 30 Oct 1944; 31 Dec 1944 - ???)
Sources:
- 2 Aug 1944: from special duty with 7th Armored Division to "DS" with XX Corps (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 2 Aug 1944)
- 15 Aug 1944: from "DS" with XX Corps to special duty with 7th Armored Division (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 15 Aug 1944)
- 30 Oct 1944: from special duty with 7th Armored Division to transferred to Combat Command "R" (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 1 Nov 1944)
- 31 December 1944: transferred from Combat Command "R" per paragraph 7 of 7AD Special Order #260 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 31 Dec 1944)
- Capt. Emerson Wolfe (30 Dec 1944 - ???)
sources:
- 30 Dec 1944: transferred from B/40 to Bn HQ/40 (Bn HQ/40 Morning Report 30 Dec 1944)
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BOOKS AND RESEARCH MATERIALS SPECIFICALLY ABOUT THE 40th TANK BATTALION:
- Entire War
- I have the complete After Action Reports for 40th Tank Battalion. I have not transcribed and indexed them yet. But I can make copies. The complete set (from August 1944 - May 1945) is 106 pages and costs $80. If you are interested in purchasing copies of the whole set or of specific months, please contact me. Click here for a web page that has my postal mailing information, or here for information on contacting me via e-mail. [Note: I also have many of the pages of the S-3 (operations) journals. If you are interested in copies, please contact me.]
- 40th Tank Battalion Morning Report Stations (Locations) and Record of Events - Spreadsheet of the Stations and Record of Events entries for each day from the copies of the Morning Reports that I have thus far obtained. These are a gold mine of information about where each part of the Battalion was on any given day. Click on the title above to go to the 7th Armored Division Document Repository, where you will find the Morning Reports listed under those months for which I have obtained them. (Althought they are listed separately for each month, the reports for the entire duration are in a single spreadsheet file.)
- FRANCE 1944 - Combat Interviews of the 40th Tank Battalion: August 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.
- BELGIUM 1944 - Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 - January 1945
- Combat Interviews of the 40th Tank Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 17-23, 1944: Click here to find out about these interviews.
- GERMANY 1945
- The Remagen Bridgehead and the Bridgehead Breakout: March 1945 - Combat Interview of 40th Tank Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. John C. Brown and Executive Officer Maj. Emerson Wolfe: Click here to find out about this interview.
- Encirclement and Reduction of the Ruhr Pocket: April 1945 - Combat Interview of 40th Tank Battalion Commanding Officer Lt. Col. John C. Brown and Executive Officer Maj. Emerson Wolfe: Click here to find out about this interview.
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BOOKS THAT MENTION THE 40th TANK BATTALION:
This is a growing list. Please forgive me for any omissions and let me know, so I can add them.
- Entire War
- Official Records of the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion: After Action Reports, Journals and more (Click here for more information, ordering instructions, and samples for December 19, 1944.)
- Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 - January 1945
- US Army Armored School Research and Evaluation Division. The Defense of St. Vith, Belgium 40-23 December 1944: An historical example of armor in the defense. Fort Knox: Armored School. (Click here for information on this book.)
- Combat Interviews of the 48th Armored Infantry Battalion: St. Vith Salient December 40-21, 1944 (Click here for information about this book.)
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