Bomb disposal experts examined the WWII US tank before it was exhumed in northern FrancePosted on 06/05/2008 11:36:34 AM PDT by BGHater
An American tank that formed part of the 1944 D-Day invasion force was discovered buried under a street in northern France.
French bomb disposal experts were brought in to ensure the military vehicle posed no danger before it was dug out from its muddy grave in near perfect condition.
Council workers came across the M5 tank as they carried out routine repairs to the road in Chartres, 55 miles south-west of Paris.
It is thought the tank from the 31st Tank Battalion formed part of the invasion force that liberated France from the Nazis more than six decades ago.
Residents recalled the tank entering the cathedral city where it had been carrying out reconnaissance when it either ran out of fuel or broke down.
When France was liberated it was pushed down a hole and buried, one resident said.
Several battle tanks from the world wars have been unearthed in France. Ten years ago a British tank used in the First World War was found by archaeologists in a vegetable patch in Flesquieres, a French town near the Belgian border.
The 27-ton machine, British Mark 4, had been abandoned during the November 1917 Battle of Cambrai.
Bomb disposal experts examined the WWII US tank before it was exhumed in northern France
Okay, who signed for the tank? We better track down the paper work.
Pretty cool. I hope they clean it up and do something nice with it.
Looks like an M-3 or an M-5.
I was thinking they could use it like an old wheel barrow and plant flowers in it. rotflmao
Likely as not they will send a bill to the USA for “covered storage” plus interest....
Can you imagine what it is going to take to get that thing clean enough to pass inspection?
“...in near perfect condition.”
Yikes, I’d hate to see what their version of a “mess”, is. Does the mud provide some measure of preservation?
If I recall correctly there is a museum not too far away with numerous artifacts. It is just a mile or two back from Omaha beach, it would be a good place for it. We had friends living near there and they took us to one of their friends farms where the Allies kept German soldiers. They also had uniforms, guns, basic equipment as well as German and American graffiti carved into the walls of their barn.
Some OD (Over Dirt) paint should take care of that.
Thought??? What are the other possibilities I wonder? Space Alien pranksters?
"When France was liberated it was pushed down a hole and buried, one resident said."
Let's hope they do something NICER and more respectful with it this time.
And if they ask "why should I", be sure to answer them in German.
Perfect?..........it looks terrible!..............
Here's one in a contemporary shot. It was a light tank for reconnaisance, meaning that it wasn't designed to go toe-to-toe with a Panther. Good thing, too.
“I hope they clean it up “
Don’t hold your breath - its France.
The tank commander reported he was taking heavy resistance and had to abandon the tank...
"Just got this in, haven't had a chance to clean it up, just for you it's only......"
Only one U.S. tank was so designed, the T26/M26 Pershing.
Too bad so few of them made it to Europe in time to fight.
"Tanks"
An for the US to respond:
"You're Welcome!"
LOL! A used car salesman used exactly those words to my wife and me this past weekend!
“I just got that car in. Haven’t had time to have it cleaned up yet. But it’s a good one! Drives perfect!”..............
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