|
Posted on 07/27/2004 11:35:48 PM PDT by SAMWolf
|
|
 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
|
| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans.
Where the Freeper Foxhole introduces a different veteran each Wednesday. The "ordinary" Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who participated in the events in our Country's history. We hope to present events as seen through their eyes. To give you a glimpse into the life of those who sacrificed for all of us - Our Veterans.
|
|
32nd Armored Regiment, 3rd Armored Division This story is about a tank commander who destroyed 258 enemy vehicles, but he never was awarded the Knights Cross. He was never presented to Hitler, he never wore a fancy black uniform with death heads and S.S. runes, and he never commanded a Panther or Tiger. The reason? He was an American GI and he set the above record in a Sherman tank! Contrary to popular belief other countries besides Germany were capable of producing tank aces too.  Staff Sergeant Lafayette G. Pool was typical of some of the fine tankers produced by the U.S. Army during World War II. Pool was born on July 23, 1919, on a farm in Odem, Texas. He graduated from high school in Taft, Texas in 1938. Pool tried to enlist in the Navy. He was turned down due to an eye injury, although his twin brother was accepted. he then enrolled in an all boys Catholic Academy where he graduated as class valedictorian. Afterwards, he enrolled in Texas, A and I College, as an engineering major. He quit to enlist in the Army on June 13, 1941. He took basic training at San Antonio, Texas, and then was sent to Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, to the newly forming Third Armor Division. Pool joined the Third Battalion, 32nd Armored Regt, when the division was reorganized in January of 1942. He took time out from training to get married to Evelyn Wright in December of 1942.  Here's a shot of my M4A1(76) as crewed by Lafayette Pool in Late Summer of 1944. - Scott Dimmick Pool had been a boxer in college and he joined the division's golden gloves team. He became regional champ in his weight class and was to go to the national meet in Chicago, Illinois in the spring of 1942. He turned down the opportunity because the division had gotten a shipment of new M-4 Sherman Tanks and Pool wanted to start training with his men on the M-4 immediately. Pool was a tall, lanky 6'3" Texan, who drove his men and himself and trained them rigorously. He always wanted things done right and would not tolerate slipshod methods, whether in maintenance, gunnery, or driving. He demanded the best out of his men and he got it.  The 3rd Bn, 32nd Armor moved to the Desert Training Center near Victorville, California, followed by final training at Indiantown Gap, Pennsylvania. Before sailing to England in September, 1943, Pool was promoted to Staff Sergeant in Company I. He was also given the opportunity to go to OCS, but he turned it down as he was later to turn down a battlefield commission stating "I just want to have one of the best tank crews in the division."  His crew consisted of driver, Wilbert "Baby" Richards, one of the best drivers in the ETO according to Pool; Bert "Schoolboy" Close who was just seventeen years old and was his bow gunner. Given the choice of prison on a manslaughter rap or the Army, Del "Jailbird" Boggs elected to be Pool's loader. Willis "Groundhog" Oller was the gunner. Pool said of Oller "He could shoot the eyebrows off a gnat at 1500 yards." He was very quick and alert. One time near Origny in France it was getting dark when the order came down to halt and coil up for the night. Pool opened his mouth to say "Driver, Halt," but found himself looking down the barrel of a German 88mm in the gloom ahead. He said "Gunner, Fire!" and Oller, without hesitation, holed the enemy gun before its crew could recognize the Sherman Tank. While in England Pool did some more boxing. In Liverpool in early 1944 he boxed against Joe Louis. It was ment to be an exhibition bout, but Pool got a little too enthusiastic and rapped Louis a few good ones. Louis then put his arm around Pool and said "White man, I'm going to teach you a big lesson." He then proceeded to give Pool a good going over, although there was no knockout.  Tank from the 32nd Armored Regiment. Note the "hedgerow cutter" Pool is what we would call today a "hard charger." He was also inclined to have things his own way. He believed that the quickest way home was to smash the German Army to pieces, and he believed that he was the guy with the crew and the tank that could do it. He made friends easily and also made enemies. He had a quick temper and was not above ignoring orders when they didn't suit him. Pool landed at Normandy in June, 1944. His battalion fought its first engagement on June 29, 1944 near Villierfossard, northeast of St. Lo. The loss of Pool's first tank "In The Mood," (all succeeding tanks were called "In The Mood!") was to a Panzerfaust at the village of Les Forges not far from the beach-head. Pool's crew survived and got a new Sherman, and pushed on undauntedly against the Panzers.  Falaise Gap on August 7, 1944, was the big battle and Pool was, as usual, right up front. As the 3d Armored Division was near to closing the ring with the British forces around the Germans, Lt. Col. Walter B. Richardson, commanding task force Y of CCA, 32nd Armored heard Pool say over the radio "Ain't got the heart to kill um," meaning the Germans. The rattle of machinegun fire came over thr radio followed by Pool's Texas drawl "Watch those bastards run, - give it to 'em Close."
|
There is no wind drag with a pop-up like there is with a 5th wheel or a regular tow behind type. It make a big difference. It is acutally more comfortable than many motel rooms, and bigger than some of them. You take your own food, camp sites are a fraction the cost of a motel room..and you sure won't pick up bed bugs. Site we camp at has running water and electric all for $17.50 per night. We use the water for washing dishes, etc but fill the holding tank with our own tap water, that way you don't get GI problems from strange water.
Excellent!!
I think you would enjoy one. It's a tent on wheels, gets you off the ground and away from the bugs. When you open it up it has great air flow. You can even camp in the winter as long as it is not to cold. We camped when it was in the mid 40s and stayed snug. Tolerates wind well when it is up.
Thanks, it's good to know about the wind tolerance.
General Sunell: The UCOFT is probably the best training device that's ever been made for the Army. It really does the job. It can take you up to six skill levels. The genius behind that insight is a retired colonel by the name of Dick Hopkins who works for GE [General Electric Corporation]. He was probably one of the best tankers I've ever known, and he's the one that put that program together.
Tank crews of the M1A1 Abrams conduct virtual engagements with enemy armor forces, both individually in the UCOFT (Unit Course of Fire Trainer) and as part of a fully synchronized unit simulation in SIMNET. This simulation system places the crew in a realistic mock up of their tank through which they view their virtual, three-dimensional battlefield.
Thank you for your service. Getting that training center up deserves some horn tooting! That's one hell of an accomplishment.
I just switched jobs and when going through my desk I found the pamphlet we produced for the dedication. If I can find it again I will try to get it posted.We'd love to see the pamphlet if You can find it.
Snippy will like that.
We would really appreciate that. How very cool that they got the waiver to name it after SSgt Pool. Neat that you had it built.
Thanks for sharing this with the Foxhole.
As much as I can't stand looking at Kerry, that picture always breaks me up.
Excellent!
LOL. I'm famous!
LOL. That's the bad thing about nature, the bugs.
Unlike Pool's In The Mood and Teresa Heinz this is equipped with muzzle brake
LOL!
Thanks for the info and pics of UCOFT.
Snippy Lamour and "The Road to the Foxhole". Oh boy! Will I be able to have some fun with that one!
This M4A1 is for sale
I'm holding out for a Panther. :-)
BTTT!!!!!!!
Thanks for the ping!
ROTFLOL! Great post, Phil.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
