August 6,1944 - Near Vannes, France

As we were advancing a Pak 38, 50L AT gun hit us in the tracks from head on and disabled our tank early in the day. It was a lucky shot because any other shot would have bounce off the tank. The Pak 38 is no threat to a Sherman from the front.

Looks like we'll be part of the task force assigned to capture Lorient tomorrow. Lorient is vital because we'll be able to end German Uboot operations from that port. Of course, German resistance is expected to be heavy.

Our tank knocked out:
1 German infantry squad

Up until that point, the rest of the task force knocked out:
1 StuG III SP gun
1 Pak 38, 50L AT gun
1 Prime Mover
2 infantry squads

We liberated 1 French town.

US Losses:
3 Tanks
3 Infantry squads

South of Avranches, August 2, 1944 - End of Day

Pretty good shooting by Dick. He knocked out a Panther Tank passing by at close range - didn't know what hit him. I got wounded by a German artillery barrage and will be out for two weeks. Pete will take over my position. The day ended when our main gun malfunctioned.

Our tank knocked out:
1 Panzer V, Panther
1 Pak 40, 75L AT gun
1 Prime Mover
2 Infantry squads

The rest of the task force knocked out:
2 Stug III tank destroyer
1 JgdPz 38t Hetzer tank destroyer
1 Pak 38, 50L AT Gun
1 Pak 40, 75L AT Gun
2 Pak 43, 88L AT Gun
1 Horse limber
2 Trucks
3 Prime Movers
3 Infantry squads
2 MG teams

We liberated 2 French towns.

US Losses:
5 Tanks
6 Infantry squads

South of Avranches, August 2, 1944

Our Task Force is joining the fight south of Avranches and continuing the drive to cut off the Brittany peninusla from the Germans. We'll be on paved roads to get to the objective as quick as possible.

During the first engagement of the day we were lucky. We traded shots at close range three times with a Pak 40 anti-tank gun. The tank was hull down which saved us - the rounds were hitting the debris in front of the tank. Eventually a friendly knocked the out. Dick was able to take out a German infantry squad. We're still rolling.

Cobra Breakout, July 27, 1944

First day of the Cobra Breakout went well; we survived the first day. We'll see if we go into action tomorrow.

Our tank knocked out:
1 AT gun
1 MG crew
2 infantry squads

The rest of the task force knocked out:
2 Panzer IVs
1 AT gun
2 trucks
1 scout car
2 Infantry squads

And liberated 3 French villages.

US Losses:
3 Tanks
2 Infantry squads