The FReeper Foxhole's TreadHead Tuesday - The Israeli Shermans - May, 17th 2005

www.israeli-weapons.com ^

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

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The Sherman Tank
in
Israeli Service

The American M4 Sherman tank has seen battle with the IDF in four major conflicts, from War of Independence (1948) to Yom Kippur War (1973), more than any other tank. It had also been modified and more sub-variants of it were produced more than any other tank in IDF service - from a main battle tank to engineer vehicle, self propelled gun and anti-radar missle launcher.



After the end of the second world war, thousands of M-4 Sherman tanks were taken out of service by the Allied armies. That made those tanks almost the only ones available to the young state of Israel - with it's economic struggles and the embargo on weapon sells to it by most countries.



The first Sherman tanks were bought during the 1948 War of Independence, from an Italian junkyard where they were awaiting their selling for scrap. The IDF eventually bought 35 of these, but only 14 were operational by the end of the war. Since these tanks had sabotaged guns, some were regunned with the Krup 75mm field gun.



During the early '50s, more M4 were purchased from various sources, and the Sherman became the standard tank in the Israeli armored units. In collaboration with France, the tanks were regunned with the M50 75mm gun (M-50) and, later, with a 105mm gun (M-51). Some "Super Sherman" tanks, armed with a 76.2mm (M-1) gun were also purchased.



The Sherman saw action in the 1956 "Kadesh" operation in Sinai, against the Egyptian army (who employed it's own version of the M-4, returreted with AMX-13 turret). In Six Day War (1967), Sherman brigades were still the mainstay of the Israeli armored forces, though more modern MBT's were in service at the time. In the Yom Kippur War (1973), Sherman tanks fought, as always, in the front lines. Fighting against Syrian and Egyptian T-55 and T-62 MBT's with a WW2 vintage weapon, the Sherman crewmen made true the motto of the IDF's armor corps: "Man is the steel".



No other vehicle in IDF use was modified and had so many variants based upon as the Sherman. Besides it's use as a tank, there were engineer variants, mine plowers, rescue vehicles, gun practice moving targets, self propelled guns, mortars and MLRs, ambulance and many more. The M-50/155 Howizter is another conversion of the M-4 Sherman. The M-50 155mm is an Israeli indeginious self propelled gun - a French 155mm howitzer was fitted on a Sherman chassis.

M4

The medium Sherman tank is one of the many models built by the US Industry during WWII The M4s of which 49,000 were built from 1942-1945, were the tanks that finally managed to defeat the Nazi armour in combat in Europe and North Africa, and also against the Japanese Army in the Far East.



A 30 M4A1 tanks fitted with a 105mm Howitzer were purchased by the IDF from surplus warlike stores of the Allied Forces in Italy. The Americans had drilled a bore in the barrel in order to damage their combat fitness. The tanks Howitzers were repaired by the IDF in enough time to take part in the

War of Independence (1948) when only 3 M4a1 tanks where ready in the end of the war, this tanks participated in battles in the Negev and the Northern Sinai Peninsula. After the war in 1950's there were around two companies of this tanks. Israel purchase 40 M4A4 tanks with M4A1 engine from French.


M4A4 tank in Sinai Campaign (1956)

When the Sinai Campaign (1956) war broke out, Israel had 180 Shermans ready for battle of total 205 Shermans, during the Sinai Campaign (1956) war Israel captured M4A3 tanks from Egyptians.

The M4A1's cast upper hull gave it distinctive rounded edges. This makes it the easiest of Sherman tanks to identify. Other identifying features of M4A1, which it shares with M4, are the rear of the tank and engine access panels. There are twin engine access doors in the rear hull and air cleaners at the top corners of these doors. M4A1 had twin square muffler tailpipes at the top of the rear hull above the air cleaners, a steel-covered air intake behind the turret, and solid engine access doors in the rear deck behind the turret. The main gun in the first M4A1s built was the 75mm M2, which was shorter than the M3.


M4A1 Sherman tanks

The M4A3s were fitted with the heavy-duty suspension bogies and single-piece final drive and differential housing. The rear armor of the M4A3 reached below the sponson line, as on M4A2, but M4A3's rear deck engine grill doors ran from sponson to sponson. M4A3 also lacked the row of bolts that were embedded into M4A2's rear plate.

M-1(Supersherman)



As the French policy towards Israel underwent a maior change, France agreed in 1950's to provide Israel with around 250 Sherman's (Supershermans). These were mainly M4A1 tanks, with 76.2mm M1 guns, and HVSS. The tanks were transferred to Israel in a clandestine operation lasting for several weeks, this tanks arrived directly to beaches in Israel in 1953-1954. They arrived just in time to participate in the Sinai Campaign (1956).

When the Sinai Campaign (1956) war broke out, Israel had 180 Shermans ready for battle of total 205 Shermans.


M4A1 & M1

M4A1
A: VVSS
B: Old turret
C: 75mm M3 gun

M-1
A: T32 turret
B: With commander's cupola and 76.2mm M1 gun
C: With cast hull
D: VVSS

M-50 (Supersherman)

When the Arabs armies had received new Soviet tanks during the early 1950's, Israeli Sherman tanks were rapidly outclassed, being insufficiently armed for dealing with T-34 and T-85 tanks. This situation led to development of new improved Sherman tanks. The solution were 75mm CN 75-50 French gun with 1000 m/sec.



The prototype turret was sent to Israel in 1955, This gun was fitted in M4A4 and M4A3 tanks, first 50 M-50 tanks had VVSS and in middle 1961 there were 300 M-50 tanks ready with HVSS.

One of the best Kepts secrets in the Sinai Campaign (1956) was the participation of US made Sherman M-50 tanks on which the French mounted a 75mm gun. When the Sinai Campaign (1956) war broke out, Israel had 180 Shermans ready for battle of total 205 Shermans. M-50s were active combatans in the Sinai Peninsula and in the daring battle on the Roeifa Dam under the command of Moshe Brill. After many tracks and engine modifications by the IDF, they were used in the Six Day War (1967) and Yom Kippur War (1973).



When the Six Day War (1967) war broke out, Israel had 515 Shermans ready for battle of total 520 Shermans, and when the Yom Kippur War (1973) war broke out, Israel had 340 Shermans.

In 1983 Chile acquired a number of M-50s from Israel.

M-51 (Isherman)



When the M-50 designed to defeat T-34 and T-85 tanks with the CN 75-50 gun, with appearance of T-54 and T-55 the new Arab tanks Israeli needed again new gun and as on M-50 Israel used French gun, the new 105mm CN 105 F1 gun. This gun was a 56 calibre and 6m long, firing a HEAT round with a 1000 m/sec. However, this gun could definitely not be installed in a Sherman turret, as this offered not enough recoil space. Israel then came up with a solution of their own: By shortening the gun to a 44 calibre gun (about 1.4 meters shorter) and accepting a lower muzzle velocity of around 800 m/sec. this odification, called the CN 105 D1 gun, could indeed be crammed into a T 23 turret.



This gun was fitted in M4A1 tanks with HVSS, 180 M-51 tanks were ready in late 1960's. The M-51 Sherman tank developed with French-Israeli collaboration of the basis of the US Sherman tank, mounted a long 105 mm gun. The tank also had installed a US diesel engine and wide track and suspension. The tank participated in combat during the Six Day War (1967). In the famous battle in the Dotan Valley, as well as in the Yom Kippur War (1973).



When the Six Day War (1967) war broke out, Israel had 515 Shermans ready for battle of total 520 Shermans, and when the Yom Kippur War (1973) war broke out, Israel had 340 Shermans.

In the mid to late 70s, Israel had supplied over 150 M-51 Sherman tanks to the Chilean army.


M-50 & M-51

M-50
A: Old turret
B: With counterweight
C: 75mm CN 75-50 French gun
D: HVSS

M-51
A: 105mm CN 105 D1 gun
B: T32 turret
C: With commander's cupola, counterweight
D: HVSS

M-60 (HVMS)

M-60 is an Israeli modification of the M-50 and M-51 variant of the Sherman main battle tanks. In this version, the French gun is replaced by a 60mm HVMS gun, for use as a heavy support vehicle, and the engine is replaced with a variant of the same engine used in the Stingray tank.



Israeli HVMS (Hyper Velocity Medium Suppor) 60mm gun (as on M113 HVMS APC) was fitted in Sherman tanks that Israeli supplied to Chilean army. The HVMS gun was a small 60mm gun that provided high velocity kinetic energy projectiles to penetrate unheard of amounts of armour at considerable ranges.



Chile acquired from Israel 50 units of M-51 in the 1970s and 1980s, with a total of 50 units. These tanks arrived at Chile with 75mm gun (the same one installed in the AMX-13) that replaced later in 1980s by the new 60mm HVMS gun of hypervelocity. The trajectory of the projectile is so tense that it does not require of systems of fire control falsified, the substitution by a new motor, these tanks with the new 60mm HVMS gun were the answer to the T-55 Peruvian in the almost happened situation.



In 1983 Chile acquired a number of M-50s from Israel as well. By mid 1984, they had arrived without their 75 mm guns. The M-50s were fitted with a 60mm HVMS gun by the Chilean national arms industry at Fuerte Arteaga. This modification was developed by NIMDA Co. Ltd. of Tel Aviv, Israel. Although as many as 50 to 65 M-50s were acquired, 48 are now on strength.

They have a prominent engine exhaust on the rear deck.


Piraña 6x6

The Chilean army in planning on replacing its old tanks by adding the Leopard 1, acquired from Holland, and retiring the M-51 and mounting their 60mm HVMS gun on the Piraña 6x6.

The site that I used to get this info is not an "English as first language" site so the site's Englaish translation is a bit rough in spots.

[SAMWolf]

L-33



Soltan L-33 (Ro'em) 155mm development of the Israeli military industry,built on body of Sherman tank, the old petrol engine was replace with an advanced diesel one, Israel used it in the Yom Kippur War (1973), its maximum shooting is up to 20 km.



This is a self-propelled howitzer 155mm built by Soltam of Israel on the chassis of the M4 Sherman tank, which Israel had many of at the time. The howitzer is mounted in a fighting compartment consisting of a raised superstructure running from the rear to the middle of the vehicle. The driver is seated at the front left with a bullet resistant windshield to his front and sides. The commander is to the rear of the driver on top of the raised superstructure. There is a cupola to the right of the commander with a machinegun. The crew enters and leaves via a hatch on either side of the vehicle. A longer-length barrel is available which allows +10% range, but this version is very rare. The engine in the L-33 has been replaced with a more powerful model to cope with the increased weight.

M-50 155mm

This is another modification of the Sherman tank chassis by Israel, this time to carry a French-designed Model 50 155mm howitzer. This vehicle was first introduced in the late 1950s. The layout is similar to the Ambutank, but the rear area is open-topped and taken up by the howitzer and ammunition.


New M-50 155mm self propelled field gun during the Independence Day in 1964.


Six-day War (1967). Israeli troops rolling into Rafa.


An M-50 returning from the western bank of the Suez Canal after the 1973 ceasefire
(Yom Kippur War).

Makmat 160mm


Makmat 160mm self propelled 160mm mortar mounted on a Sherman chassis

The Makmat 160mm is a self propelled 160mm mortar mounted on a Sherman chassis. It entered service in the early '60s, and proved to be an extremely potent weapon. Makamt 160mm was developed after Six-day War (1967) and used in Yom Kippur War (1973) and Peace For Galilee (1982)

Mortars are avilable in towed configuration, for ground deployment, or in S.P. version. The barrel is a high-tensile strength, alloy steel tube. At the bottom end is the breech piece which contains the firing mechanism.

The striker can be withdrawn to provide safety, particularly in the case of a misfire. There is no bipod mounting for this weapon, instead, the barrel is elevated and depressed by a single column which is part of the carriage. The weight of the bomb makes conventional muzzle loading difficult so it is necessary to lower the barrel to a loading position. This is done by folding down the elevating strut from a hinge at its mid-point.



There is a spring loaded counterbalance mechanism which makes it easy to elevate the barrel each time it is loaded. After loading, the barrel is errected back exactly to its original elevation. The carriage axles allow the roadwheels to be turned in and locked by a cam plate attached to the axle. The offside roadwheel incorporates a clutch and handle to allow slow traverse. The carriage rolls on its wheels through a complete 360° circle without moving the baseplate.

The baseplate is heavy flat disc welded with a number of webs to give stiffness and to prevent any tendency to slide sideways. Four handles are welded to the top plate to allow carriage and baseplate extraction. There is a central socket into which the tail of the breech piece fits. This allows a full 360° traverse without movement of the baseplate. There is a spring-loaded arrangement to ensure that the breech piece cannot leave the baseplate.

The Soltam systems 160 mm Mortars fire a 38 kg bomb out to 9,600 m. To do this requires a heavy weapon (1,700 kg in firing position) and 6 to 8 crewmembers.

MAR-240



The Sherman was used by the IDF as a multy-purpose platform carrier. Among others, it mounted a launcherfor 240mm rockets, similar to those fired by the infamous Soviet "Katyusha". Raised and transverse movementof the laucher was controlled by a hydraulic system manufactured by the Israeli Military Industries (IMI). The vehicle was recently discontinued in the IDF.

MAR-290 (Sherman Chassis)



The development and production of the "Katyusha" rocket system, were definitely a major step forward in the building of artillery power, but an insufficient one. This became very clear in the War of Attrition when Egypt had more artillery power than Israel, who answered this problem mainly with its superior air-force.

Soon enough it was cleared that the Land corps needed an advanced array of long-range artillery rockets (the range of the Katyusha was 10km), to answer the IDF's combat needs and to allow enemy-depth fire power.

In 1968, one of NATO's states addressed the IMI with a request in which IMI would develop for it a medium-range rocket engine. Following the state's request, came the development , which was sponsored by that state and was a boost to IMI's designing concern and for the IDF as well, who would benefit a foreign state's financed development. The system was developed without any help from outside.

That way, for the first time in the history of Israel's defense system, an artillery rocket genuine weapons system was developed, manufactured and supplied to the Artillery corps, IMI being the main contractor. The Ordnance corps was responsible for testing and was a secondary contractor.

This long-range artillery system led to the development of an 290mm rocket indigenous system by IMI, which was mainly used in the Peace For Galilee (1982).

The launcher vehicle, which carried four rockets, was based on the Sherman chassis. Later, another version of the MAR-290 that was based on Centurion chassis appeared.

This rocket system development proved that a full cooperation between all factors - the Military industries, weapons designers, and the "Technion" Engineers (derived from academy) were the key to success in this field.

Kilshon



This vehicle is basically an M4A1 Sherman tank composite hull HVSS with diesel engine (M-50) with the turret replaced.

The Kilshon is a tank fitted to launch the American Shrike anti radiation missile (and later Standart missiles) . The system was planned, produced and pressed into service right after the 1973 Yom Kippur War. It was meant to be used against Syrian and Egyptian SAM batteries radars, without endangering any planes and pilots. Taken out of service about the 1980s.

In Yom Kippur War 1973, Israel suffered severe losses to Arab air defences. Surface to Air Missiles (SAM) had forced Israeli aircraft to operate at very low level where they were susceptible to Anti-Aircraft Artillery. The Shrike air-to-ground anti-radar missile launched from Phantoms was not altogether successful in clashes with Syrian forces between October 1973 and April 1974.



Another option was to launch the Shrike missile with an Israeli-developed rocket booster from a turretless M51 Sherman chassis. The role of the Kilshon (Hebrew for Trident) was to take up a position near the battlefield and launch the Shrike (which had a range of sixteen kilometres in this surface-to-surface guise) after Israeli aircraft had teased the Arab air defence into switching on their search and targeting radars.

At least two batteries with 5 Kilshons each were operational. Kilshon was later further developed into the Keres (Hebrew for Hook) system. It used the Standard ARM and was prototyped on a Sherman Kilshon chassis but eventually fielded on standard M809 5 ton trucks because the antiquated Shermans were being retired. The Kilshon and Keres were operated for about 20 years by the air defense corps' 153rd battalion, initially from Palmachim AFB and later on from Ramat David AFB until it was finally disbanded several years ago.

[SAMWolf]

M-32



The M-32 Sherman based Armoured Recovery Vehicles (ARV) rear engine decks went through the same upgrade programs as did standard Shermans M-1, M-50 (from M4) during the period 1956 to post 1973. Iinevitably some M-32s did not go all the way with these upgrades and could be found with the Batch 1 engine deck until they were pensioned off.

M-32 VSS



With the induction of the M-50 tanks in the armoured corps, the IDF sought a recovery tank with a road speed like that of AFVs. Petrol engine Sherman M-32s were purchased from US Army surplus and commioned in the 1950s. Later they were modified like the rest of the Sherman tank fleet by replacement with a diesel engine and incorporation of a wide track,spring and suspension system.

M-32 HVSS



The Sherman M-32 underwent extensive modifications to bring it up to par with the other Shermans in service with the IDF. This included removing the obsolete petrol engine and replacing it with a diesel one. Its track and suspension were also replaced with a wider system that enable improved fodability. Only recently have the M-32 recovery vehicles been discontinued in the IDF

Trail Blazer



The Trail Blaser (Gordon) was built on the cast hull of an M4A1 Sherman, by the tank plant it the central depot the tank is equiped with a crane of ASS ton/meter lifting capability and two spades in the front and rear of the vehicle. There is also a towing winch apable to recover objects up to 72 tons.

The Trail Blazer is an Israeli combat engineer vehicle that doubles as a recovery vehicle, that essential replaced the M-32 style vehicles with a totally enclosed and easier to operate vehicle.

Dozer Blade



Sherman tank with dozer blade.

Mine Clearing System



Sherman tanks of the kind equipped with a British mine clearing system, served part of the Israeli armoured forces in the 1950s. The system included heavy chains connected to a drum. As the drum rotated, the chains hit the ground in front of the tank with intense force, therely detonating and blowing up mines, and clearing the axis for the forces advancing at the tank's heels.

[SAMWolf]

Ambutank (Sherman Armored Ambulance)

At the end of the 60's, the IDF realized that there is a growing need for a medevac armoured vehicle for fast evacuation of wounds from a tough terrain field. The vehicle had to withstand enemy fire, and be able to provide maximum protection and medical treatment to wounds.

Instead of investing great amounts of money and resources in developing such vehicle, it had been decided to use an existing platform, thus shortening the development process.

The Sherman 's battle tank platform was chosen for the task. The Sherman was largely available and the specific model was the M4A1, which was used in the past as a basis to the M5A1 model.

In order to utilize sufficient amount of space which is critical to the vehicle's main purpose, the engine was transferred from the tank's rear part to the front, leaving large room for the task of wound treating. The hull could now house a medical crew and 4 stretch beds.

Workshop unit 650 of the ordnance corps was assigned the task of the conversion of the Sherman platform into what would later be called the Ambutank.

VSS model


VSS variant

In 1969, the first prototype of the Ambutank was introduced. This was the Ambutank VSS. It served in the IDF at the outset of the War of Attrition, at the southern front and at the northern sector of the Suez Canal .

HVSS model


HVSS variant

At a later stage, the Ambutank was built on a Sherman platform with a Kamin's engine, and wide Horizontal Volute Suspension System ( HVSS) . The HVSS had a special hatch on its floor which enabled it to pick up victims without endangering the crew.

The Ambutank HVSS was produced in large scales, and was used during the War of Attrition and Yom Kippur War at the Egyptian front along the Suez canal .

Driver Training



Widespread us of the Sherman by Armoured and Artillery Corps in the 1950-60s prompted a decision of modify some of them for drivers training. This tank, already equipped with wide track and suspension and diesel engine, had its turret opening shut by a round steel plate with a central opening for the driving instructor. The one shown here was used by the Artillery School and then became a prime-mover.

Eyal



This Sherman had its turret removed,and was installed with a hydraulic system capable of raising and observation device to a height of 27m. The system, that was engineered by ''EYAL'' Industries was reguisitioned by the IDF for use as a mobile look-out post along the Suez-Canal front, from the War of Attrition to the Yom Kippur War (1973)

Monster



In order to train gunners in shooting at a live target, the IDF installed stanted armoured plates on both sides of a Sherman tank. Due to lach of plates appropriate in size and thickness, use was made of panels of junked T-34 tanks which the IDF had captured in the Sinai Campaign (1956). This Sherman hull is still impregnated with the various typesof bullets fired during shooting practice.

[SAMWolf]

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UPDATED THROUGH APRIL 2004



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************Snippy, I bequeath to you the FR TH PL.

148 posted on 08/24/2004 11:39:45 AM PDT by Cannoneer No. 4 (I've lost turret power; I have my nods and my .50. Hooah. I will stay until relieved. White 2 out.)

Good morning. Cannoneer, fall in. :-)

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

[alfa6]

I have some Israeli Sherman tank pics that I will try to post tonight after work.

Regards

alfa6 ;>}

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone at the Foxhole.

[The Mayor]

May 17, 2005

Duff Stuff

Read:
Jeremiah 32:16-25

You are . . . mighty in work, for Your eyes are open to all the ways of the sons of men. —Jeremiah 32:19

Bible In One Year: Psalm 109-111

When something big happens—a blessing or a tragedy—we recognize it immediately and respond with praise or pleadings to God. When we find a long-sought-after job, hear of a loved one coming to Christ, or get bad news from the doctor, we think of God and turn to Him. But in the little things—the routine, the mundane, the details—it's easy for us to overlook that He is working (Jeremiah 32:19).

God is at work in the big and little things of the forest too. The big stuff, which is visible and colorful, is called duff—the partly decayed organic matter of leaves and sticks that covers the forest floor. But if you rake back the duff, you will find all sorts of important little things happening. The soil is rich and dark, and smells of life. It is filled with tiny plants, insects, and a variety of fungi. There under the duff they are performing an important function, for with them God is building the future forest.

The Lord works similarly with His people. Of course His eyes are on the big issues of life. But He's also at work "under the duff" through our everyday activities, preparing us for the significant tasks He has planned for us.

So when the mundane gets you down, thank God for what's under the duff. —Dave Egner

We can give thanks in everything
And say, "Your will be done,"
For God's at work in everything
To make us like His Son. —D. De Haan

Eyes of faith see God at work in everything.

FOR FURTHER STUDY
How Has God Loved Us?
How Much Does God Control?

[GailA]

Good morning..off today and have to go to Wal-Mart and get a tire with a slow leak fixed.

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on May 17:
1444 Sandro Botticelli Italian painter (Birth of Venus)
1741 John Penn US attorney (signed Declaration of Independence)
1749 Edward Jenner England, physician, discovered vaccination
1768 Caroline Brunswick, Queen Consort of King George IV
1812 Joseph Warren Revere Brigadier General (Union volunteers), died in 1880
1836 Joseph Norman Lockyer discovered Helium/founded Nature magazine
1846 Edmund Bishop English secretary of Thomas Carlyle
1850 Antonio Scontrino composer
1878 Conway Tearle US actor (Klondike Annie, Should Ladies Behave?)
1886 Alfonso XIII Borbón King of Spain (1902-31)
1900 Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini Iran's spiritual leader (1979-89)
1908 Zinka Milanov Zagreb Yugoslavia, soprano (Ljublama Opera 1927)
1911 Maureen O'Sullivan Boyle Ireland, actress (Tarzan, Pride & Prejudice, The Quiet Man)
1912 Archibald Cox 1st Watergate special prosecutor
1931 Dewey Redman jazz musician
1934 Earl Morrall NFL QB (Lions, Giants, Colts)
1936 Dennis Hopper Dodge City KS, actor (The Shining, Blue Velvet, Easy Rider)
1941 Malcom Hale trumpeter
1942 Taj Mahal New York NY, singer/songwriter (The Real Thing)
1945 D A S Pennefather Major-General/Commandant (General Royal Marines)
1953 Kathleen Sullivan Pasadena CA, newscaster (ABC-TV, CBS Morning Show)
1956 "Sugar" Ray [Charles] Leonard Palmer Park MD, welter/middle/light-heavyweight boxing champion (Olympics-gold-76)
1963 Brigitte Nielsen actress (Red Sonja, Rocky IV, Domino)
1974 Marcia Turner Cambridge MA, Miss America 1976 Peter Devine New York NY, fencer-foil (Olympics-96)

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Deaths which occurred on May 17:
1050 Guido van Arezzo Italian music theorist, dies
1510 Sandro Botticelli [Alessandro di Mariano del Filpepi] painter (Birth of Venus), dies at about 65
1575 Matthew Parker archbishop of Canterbury (1559-75), dies at 68
1606 Forges Dimitri czar of Russia (1605-06), murdered
1727 Catherine I Empress of Russia (1725-27), dies
1729 Samuel Clarke theologian, dies
1838 Charles-Maurice duke of Talleyrand-Périgord French bishop, dies at 84
1930 Herbert David Croly US founder (New Republic), dies at 61
1964 Otto V Kuusinen President of Karelo-Finnish Soviet Republic (1940-56), dies 82
1969 Joseph Beran Czechoslovakia, archbishop of Prague/cardinal, dies at 80
1981 Jeannette Ridlon Piccard 1st US woman free balloon pilot, dies
1985 Bobby Ewing (Patrick Duffy) killed off on Dallas
1992 George Hurrell Hollywood photographer, dies of cancer at 87
1992 Lawrence Welk conductor/accordionist (Lawrence Welk Show), dies at 89
1992 Leonardo del Ferro [Keyser] US epic tenor, dies
1999 Henry Jones, actor, (86) in Los Angeles. ("This Is the Army" (1943)).
2002 Joe Black (78), the first black pitcher to win a World Series game, for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1952
2004 Tony Randall (84), actor (Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter?, 7 Faces of Dr. Lao, "The Odd Couple")

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GWOT Casualties
Iraq
17-May-2004 4 | US: 3 | UK: 0 | Other: 1
US Specialist Mark Joseph Kasecky Al Karmah [Al Anbar Prov.] Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Specialist Carl F. Curran Al Karmah [Al Anbar Prov.] Hostile - hostile fire - IED attack
US Lance Corporal Bob W. Roberts Al Anbar Province Hostile - hostile fire
IT Caporale Matteo Vanzan An Nasiriyah Hostile - hostile fire



Afghanistan
05/17/03 Taylor, John E. Sergeant 1st Class 31 Army 1st Battalion, 3rd Special Forces Group Illness Kabul, Afghanistan

http://icasualties.org/oif/
Data research by Pat Kneisler
Designed and maintained by Michael White

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On this day...
0218 7th recorded perihelion passage of Halley's Comet
0352 Liberius begins his reign as Catholic Pope replacing Julius I
0884 St Adrian III begins his reign as Catholic Pope
1527 Pánfilo de Narvaéz departs to explore Florida
1536 Anne Boleyn's 4 "lovers" executed
1544 Scottish Earl Matthew van Lennox signs secret treaty with Henry VIII
1579 Artois/Henegouwen/French-Flanders sign Treaty/Peace of Parma recognizing Spanish duke van Parma as land guardian
1620 1st merry-go-round seen at a fair (Philippapolis, Turkey)
1630 Italian Jesuit Niccolo Zucchi, 1st to see 2 belts on Jupiter surface (but no suspenders)
1631 Earl Johann Tilly attacks Maagdenburg
1648 Emperor Ferdinand III defeats Maximilian I of Bavaria
1672 Frontenac becomes Governor of New France (Canada)
1673 Louis Joliet & Jacques Marquette begin exploring Mississippi
1733 England passes Molasses Act, putting high tariffs on rum & molasses imported to the colonies from a country other than British possessions
1742 Frederick great (Emperor of Prussia) defeats Austrians
1756 Britain declares war on France (7 Years' or French & Indian War)
1787 English slave ship Sisters, from Africa to Cuba, capsizes


1792 24 merchants form New York Stock Exchange at 70 Wall Street


1803 John Hawkins & Richard French patent the Reaping Machine
1804 Lewis & Clark begin exploration of the Louisiana Purchase
1809 Papal States annexed by France
1814 Denmark cedes Norway to Sweden (National Day)
1814 Norwegian constitution passed by constituent assembly at Eidsvoll
1846 Saxophone is patents by Antoine Joseph Sax
1862 Battle of Princeton WV, ends, about 128 casualities
1863 Battle of Big Black River Bridge, Mississippi
1864 Battle of Adairsville GA, Union forces Confederates to retreat
1872 Bohemian Club incorporated

1875 1st Kentucky Derby: Oliver Lewis aboard Aristides wins in 2:37.75

1876 7th US Cavalry under Custer leaves Fort Lincoln
1877 Edwin T Holmes installs 1st telephone switchboard burglar alarm
1881 Frederick Douglass appointed recorder of deeds for Washington DC
1881 Revised version of New Testament
1883 Buffalo Bill Cody's 1st wild west show premieres in Omaha
1884 Alaska becomes a US territory
1890 Comic Cuts, 1st weekly comic paper, published in London
1904 Maurice Ravel's "Shéhérazade" premieres in Paris France
1909 White firemen on Georgia RR strike to protest hiring blacks
1915 Cubs George "Zip" Zabel relieves with 2 outs in 1st & winds up with 4-3 19-inning win over Brooklyn in longest relief job ever
1915 National Baptist Convention chartered
1916 British Summer Time (Daylight Savings), 1st introduced
1920 1st De Havilland double-decker flight (London) lands in Schiphol
1920 1st flight by Dutch airlines KLM (Koninklijke-Luchtvaart-Maatschappij)
1923 Fire during closing day ceremonies at Grover Cleveland School (South Carolina)
1925 Cleveland Indian Tris Speaker gets his 3,000th hit
1926 Chiang Kai-shek is made supreme war lord in Canton
1932 Congress changes the name "Porto Rico" to "Puerto Rico"
1938 Congress approves Vinson Naval Act, which funds a two-ocean navy
1938 Radio quiz show "Information Please!" debuts on NBC Blue Network
1939 1st sports telecast-Columbia vs Princeton-college baseball
1940 Germany occupies Brussels, Belgium & begins invasion of France
1942 Dutch SS vows loyalty to Hitler
1944 Allied air raid on Surabaja, Java
1944 Chinese/US forces take Myitkyina Airport, Burma
1944 General Eisenhower sets D-Day for June 5th
1945 2 US P-47 Thunderbolts bomb Kiushu
1946 KVP Labor/Communists win 1st post-WW2 Dutch parliamentary elections
1946 President Truman seizes control of nation's railroads to delay a strike
1948 Israel liberates Acre, Nebi Yusha & Telel-Kadi
1948 Soviet Union recognized Israel
1949 British government recognizes Republic of Ireland
1953 Yanks & Browns use record 41 players in a game

1954 Supreme Court unanimously rules on Brown v Topeka Board of Education reversed 1896 "separate but equal" Plessy Vs Ferguson decision

1957 Prayer Pilgrimage, biggest civil rights demonstration to date (District of Columbia)
1958 Emergency crisis proclaimed in Algeria
1959 Sam Snead sets PGA record for 36 holes at 122
1960 1st atomic reactor system to be patented, JW Flora, Canoga Park CA
1961 Castro offers to exchange Bay of Pigs prisoners for 500 bulldozers
1963 Bruno Sammartino beats Buddy Rogers in New York, to become WWF champion
1967 Dylan's 1965 UK Tour is released as the film "Don't Look Back"
1969 Baltimore, Cleveland & Pittsburgh agree to go from NFC to the AFC in the NFL
1970 Hank Aaron becomes 9th player to get 3,000 hits
1970 Thor Heyerdahl crosses the Atlantic on reed raft Ra
1971 Stephen Schwartz' musical "Godspell" premieres off-Broadway
1971 Washington State bans sex discrimination
1973 Senate Watergate Committee begins its hearings
1973 Stevie Wonder releases "You are the Sunshine of my Life"
1975 NBC paid $5 million for rights to show "Gone with the Wind" one time
1977 Menahem Begins Likoed-party wins election in Israel
1978 Lee Lacy hits record 3rd consecutive pinch-hit homerun
1979 -12ºF (-11ºC), on top of Mauna Kea HI (state record)
1980 Major race riot in Miami FL - 16 killed, 300 injured
1983 Israel & Lebanon sign a peace treaty
1985 Les Anderson, catches record 97 lb 4 oz Chinook Salmon, off Alaska

1987 USS Stark hit by Iraqi missiles, 37 sailors die

1991 Lupita Jones, 23, of México, crowned 40th Miss Universe
1992 Expos Gary Carter is 3rd to catch 2,000 games (joins Boone & Fisk)
1993 Intel's new Pentium processor is unveiled
1996 Daniel Pipes reviews “The Middle East: A Brief History of the Last 2,000 Years” by Dr. Bernard Lewis
1996 Hutu gunmen attack 800 Zairian Tutsis who had taken refuge in a church
1998 Taliban jet fighters bomb a crowded market and killed at least 30 people and wounded 50 in Taloqan, the capital of Takhar province.
2000 Prosecutors in Birmingham, Ala., charged two longtime suspects in the deaths of four little girls in a church bombing in 1963 that became a watershed event in the civil rights movement.
2003 In Iraq US forces arrested Kamal Mustafa Abdallah Sultan al-Tikriti, former secretary of the Republican Guard (listed as No. 10 and the queen of clubs).
Univ. students and teachers returned to their campuses.

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"

Cuba : Agrarian Reform/Peasant Day
Norway : Independence Day/Constitution Day (1814)
US : Armed Forces Day (Saturday)
World Telecommunications Day
National Hospital Week ends
International Pickle Week (Day 2)
Pack Rat Day
National Tavern Month

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Religious Observances
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Dunstan, archbp of Canterbury, patron of jewelers
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Paschal Baylon, lay brother
Feast of St. John Nepomucenus.
St. Madron Feast Day

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Religious History
0352 Liberius was elected 36th pope of the Early Church. During this time the dispute between Arius and Athanasius was at its height, and after vacillating earlier, Liberius vindicated himself as a champion of Nicene orthodoxy.
1291 Scottish medieval Franciscan philosopher John Duns Scotus, 25, was ordained. He believed in "divine will" rather than "divine intellect," and founded a scholastic system called Scotism. In the Catholic Church he is known as "the Subtle Doctor."
1844 Birth of Julius Wellhausen, the German biblical scholar who, in his 1878 "History of Israel," first advanced the JEDP Hypothesis, claiming that the Pentateuch (i.e., the first five O.T. books) was a compilation of four earlier, literary sources.
1881 The Revised Version (EV or ERV) of the New Testament was first published in England. The Old Testament was completed in 1885. In 1905 the American Standard Version (ASV) ÀÀ based on the textual foundation of the ERV ÀÀ was published in the U.S.
1947 The Conservative Baptist Association of America (CBAA) was formally established at Atlantic City, NJ, as a breakaway movement from within the American Baptist Convention.

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"If you have integrity, nothing else matters. If you don't have integrity, nothing else matters."

[Valin]

WOW! What a great T-shirt! I wonder who made it? Probably some great artists.


I'm wearing mine! :-)

[Cannoneer No. 4]

Mornin', snippy. Gettin' hot out here, especially with the kevlar on.

[Professional Engineer]

Good morning ladies. Flag-o-Gram.

Hugh size here

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone.

[SAMWolf]

Morning Snippy.

[SAMWolf]

Hey! Nice T-shirt!

[SAMWolf]

Morning Aeronaut.

[SAMWolf]

Morning E.G.C.

Rain is supposed to end by Thursday and then they're predicting a week of warm and sunny weather. :-)