As we all noticed the stories of german tank aces became widely known to the public. Almost all aspects of their achivements were discussed, there’s a lot of webpages and articles about them on the net.
But what about the allied tank aces?
Have there been any?
For example if Soviet Union was fighting Germans for almost 4 years, surerly the could have at least one tankkiller. British too.
Do you have any info about them?
American story (edited: ignore that password request by clicking on cancel button):
http://www.3ad.org/wwii_heroes/pool_lafayette/pool_ordnance1.htm
Soviet aces:
http://wio.ru/tank/ww2aces.htm
Probably the most impressivwe pèrformace of a allied tank ace was made by the leutenat Oskin who destroyed 4 Kingtigers in few minutes in Sandomierz, Poland.
Hi Panzerknacker mate,
I have to find source - actually - my friend borrowed book from me, but I’m sure that Germans had no Kingtigers in the area at this time…
Most probably they were PzIV. Looking at many war reports quite often tankers called PzIV - Tigers.
Even if that, Oskin had a very good result. Just don’t tell me that he was riding captured Tiger…
Cheers,
Lancer44
Mate , i told you, if you are “sure” in something , this could not be the truth.
http://armor.kiev.ua/Tanks/WWII/PzVIB/blin.php
10 august of 1944 (when Warsaw uprising was in height) the forces of the 1st Ukrainian front,(which “indifferently looked” to the perishing of the uprising and “nothing did”) crossed the Vistula, broke through the enemy defense southwest of Polish city Sandomir and, after overturning the parts of the 4th tank hostile Army, they considerably enlarged bridgehead. Attempting to restore the lost positions on the western shore of the Vistula, Germans urgently moved into the region of Sandomir of five divisions (including one tank’s division) from the army group “South Ukraine”, five infantry divisions from Germany, three infantry divisions from Hungary and six brigades of the assault guns.
on early morning 13 aug 1944 germans began the offensive to the soviet bridgehead near the polish village Oglenduv.
But soon German tanks falled into the ambush. Soviet tankers , using the local relief, were disguised and opened fire from the close distance 200-400 m.
In the composition of German tank forces participated the 501 heavy tank battalion . Which was recently completed by the newest tanks the Tigris -2.
After short battle germans stepped back with the large losses.
67- tonns German’s new monsters proved to be too clumsy in the close tank combat.
Leutenat Oskin on its T-34-85 , personaly , burned 3 of Tiger-2 and 1 was destroyed .
Another group of germans tanks falled into the ambush of leutenants Komarichev , Djaparidze and Krainev. Together they destroyed 14 germans tanks (Panzers , T-4 and Tigers).
After battle there were obtained 12 hit German tanks the Tigris -2
.
After tho quick soviet contr-attack was undertaken the village Oglenduv ,
3 Tigers-2 with tower numbers 102, 502 and 234 were captured absolutely proper and combat-ready.
Tank № 502 was discovered confronting in the court of house in the outskirts of the village Of Oglenduv. The reason, for which the crew threw technically proper combat vehicle it remains obscure. Most likely, since the village Of Oglenduv was undertaken by one swift of with a throw our tanks, the crew of the “King tiger” simply panically ran, after leaving entire technical documentation inside the machine. In the tank complete fire unit and sufficient fuel stock was located. On the technical documentation obtained in it it was explained that tank passed only 444 km pri the attempt to neglect engine it it were brought “with the half turn”.
The combat for the Oglenduv was the firs time of the application of the Tigris -2 at the eastern front.
By reason for the complete fiasco of “King tigers”, the not justified hopes of Germans in the environs of Sandomir, steel the skillful organization of defense and unquestionably the craftsmanship of soviet tankers. From other side, enemy brought numerous errors in the planning and the tactics, unsuccessful selection of direction for applying of heavy tanks, especially 67- tonns “King tigers”.
The “full fiasco” the new Tiger-2 in the Poland was widely used by the Soviet propoganda.
Since the tanks “Tigris- 2” were for the first time seized by our troops, it was decided to deliver them into Kubinku to the scientific-experimental armored range GBTU for the thorough study.
Already during the motion of tanks under its own power to the station of loading the numerous defects detected: on 86 km malfunctioned the left guide wheel as a result of the destruction of bearings and the left driven wheel - because of the shear of all clamp bolts.
That stood during these days of heat to 30 degrees ( Celsius) proved to be excessive for the cooling system that it led to overheating of the right of the block of engine and to constant overheatings KPP.
They did not have time to repair tank, as completely was destroyed the right onboard transfer, which was replaced by that taken from another tank, but also it malfunctioned because of the destruction of the roller bearing of driving shaft. Furthermore, continually was necessary to change the track-links of caterpillars, subjected to destruction, especially with the turnings. The construction of the track adjusting mechanism was not to the end worked out, because of what through every 10-15 km of march it was necessary on the new to regulate their tension
The tanks , delivered to the Soviet range were thoroughly tested.
This is the Tiger-2 (tower number 102) captured in the village Of Oglenduv 13 aug 1944 on the soviet experimental range.
During the road tests, which passed with the great difficulties, connected with the low reliability of the elements of undercarriage, power plant and transmission, it was established that 860 litres of gasoline be sufficient on 90 km motion along the country road, although in the instruction to the machine it was indicated that this gasoline must be sufficient on 120 km the expenditure of fuel per 100 km was 970 litres , instead of 700 litres according to the seized instruction. (now I understand why Germans did not have enough gasoline at the end of the war)
The average speed of motion along the highway was 25-30 km/h, and on the road 13,4-15 km/h. ( full shit)
The maximum speed, indicated in the technical documentation of tank, into 41,5 km/h was never reached during the road tests
According the test’s results of Tiger-2 was established the next deficiencies:
.Undercarriage is complex and is short-lived.
.The mechanism of turning - is complex and weak.
.Onboard transfer - is extremely unreliable.
.The action radius is inferior of soviet IS-2 to 25%.
.Inconvenient arrangement of fire unit (besides the niche of tower)… …
.Excessive overall sizes and large weight do not correspond to armor protection and firepower of the tank.
P.S. Today Tiger-2 (tower number 502) captured in Poland is the exhibit of Russian tank museum in Kubinka.
"TIGER-TAMERS
Battle for Sandomierz Bulge - August of 1944
On August 10th of 1944, the troops of the 1st Ukranian Front penetrated the defense line of the 4th German Panzer Army near the Polish city of Sandomierz, creating a bulge on the right bank of the river Vistula. Germans, in order to eliminate the dangerous bulge moved into the area 5 divisions, including one panzer division from the Army Group Southern Ukraine, five divisions from Germany and 6 Sturmgeschutz brigades.
Since August 11th, Soviet troops from the 6th Guard Tank Corps, 3rd Guard Tank Army left the villages of Szydlow and Ogledow and created a strong defense line. The sandy ground in the area was difficult to dig trenches for tanks as well as to operate tanks. Soviet Commanders assumed that Germans will not approach and attack frontally but will strike on the flank.
On the road to Ogledow, two T-34-85 under command of Capt. P. Ivushkin were well camouflaged in a stacks and ready to ambush the enemy.
Soviet units were 51st, 52nd and 53rd Armor Guards Brigades along with 71st Independent Heavy Tank Guards Regiment. In total, Soviets had 29 T-34-76, 14 T-34-85, 11 IS-2 and several ISU-122 assault guns. The main part of the German strike force was Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501, (which arrived in Kielce on August 9th), as a part of the 16th Panzer Division with 20 PzKpfw VI Ausf B Tiger II ("KingtigersÂ), 20 PzKpfw IV and 4 battalions of mechanized infantry. The rest of sPzAbt 501 was still in Ohrdruf (Germany) due to the technical problems with their tanks. Kingtigers were ordered to move from Kielce to the Sandomierz bulge but during the trip most of the tanks brokedown. Tanks were repaired during the night but on August 11th, entire unit had only 11 fully operational Kingtigers.
On the night of August 12th, Capt. Ivushkin and crews of two tanks heard a sound of engines. In the morning of August 13th, Germans performed an artillery and air bombardment but without any success due to the good camouflage of the Soviet troops and tanks and overall lack of inteligence on Soviet positions. At 7:00, 11 Kingtigers moved straight into the Soviet ambush. German tanks had problems to move in the sandy ground and advanced slowly. Three Kingtigers passed the camouflaged T-34-85 and afterwards two tanks of Capt. Ivushkin opened fire and destroyed 3 Kingtigers by direct hits to their side armor. The road was blocked and other Kingtigers were forced to retreat.
On the northern flank of the bulge, the attack started at 9:00 as four Kingtigers went into the counterattack against the Soviet Infantry, supported by the assault guns. Germans lost one Kingtiger to the fire of ISU-122 of Lt. Klimenkov. The other three tanks were forced to retreat, because the sandy ground limited their maneuverability.
After that, Soviet infantry entered the village of Ogledow without strong resistance from Germans but was suddenly attacked by 7 Kingtigers from the flank. ISU-122 (No.98) commanded by Lt. Udalov, which covered the flank opened fire from the distance of 700 meters, destroying one and damaging another Kingtiger. German tanks returned but due to the low speed they could not retreat once in danger. Lt. Udalov crossed the forest, came into a flank of this group, opened fire and hit another one. In two hours, Germans attacked again, but well camouflaged ISU-122 commanded by Lt. Beliakov opened the fire from the distance of 1000 meters hiting another Kingtiger. During their attack on Szydlow, Germans lost 4 Kingtigers to fire of Soviet IS-2 tanks, which opened fire at ranges from 700 to 1000 meters.
Soviet troops rushed into the village of Ogledow and Staszow, where they captured 3 Kingtigers (No.102, Command Tank No.502 , No.234), which were left behind by German crews. No.102 and No.234 were brokendown but repairable, while Command Tank No.502 was fully operational. No.502 was originally No.002 and belonged to the junior commander of Schwere Panzer Abteilung 501. The number was changed by the Soviets after capture due to unknown reasons. All three tanks were captured by tankers from Major Korobow’s 53rd Guards Tank Brigade.
Later on, captured tanks were shown to the commander of the 3rd Tank Army Gen. Col. P. Rybalko, who was impressed by their weight and dimensions. In a month, one of them was on display of captured German AFVs. It was ordered that all three tanks were to be transported to Kubinka but only No.102 and No.502 reached their destination as No.234 was used for parts to keep other two tanks in running condition.
During the three days long battle (August 11th to 13th), in the region of villages Stachow and Szyldow, 14 Kingtigers were destroyed by tanks and asssault guns of the 6th Guard Tank Corps.
The result of the first appearance of Kingtigers on the Eastern front was unsuccessful. Kingtigers were actually perfect tanks for defense but during offensive they suffered high losses, what is proven by events on the Eastern and Western fronts."
You scored Chevan… My stupidity, I relayed on memory. I consulted my friend over the phone and he confirmed that you’re right. LOL
Now I’m obliged to go back to Stahel… and Warsaw Uprising…
The best tank museum in the world… Let’s post some photos!
Cheers,
Lancer44
Thank Kovalski, that was the info I was looking for.
Now…somebody know about the British and Americans aces?, because I dont.
It’s great , Kovalski . 
Thanks , mate.
…German tanks returned but due to the low speed they could not retreat once in danger. Lt. Udalov crossed the forest, came into a flank of this group, opened fire and hit another one…
I have a much fun , when represented as 5 Kingtigers flee from the single SU-122.
Where did the famous German bravery disappear?
Mate , i don’t play in political football with you 
By the way , some photo from Kubinka museim
http://parus.fotoplenka.ru/album122739/page1.htm
That itself polish 502-number
Dani provided one story with his link:
[b]THE FORGOTTEN TANK ACE
Staff Sergeant
Lafayette G. Pool
An American To
Remember[/b]
By Dean and Nan Kleffman
March 1998
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.
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.
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.”
At Fromentel, Pool’s tank headed the task force Y column as usual which closed the gap. During the closing, Pool’s second tank was destroied by enemy bombers, which only made Pool more mad at the Germans. Again the crew survived intact. At Colombrier, France, Pool’s tank leading the column almost collided with a Panther. The Panther fired twice and missed. Ollier, the gunner, fired a single shot which penetrated the turret and internal explosions blew the turret clean off the hull of the Panther.
At Namur, Belgium, “In The Mood’s” crew destroyed sixteen enemy vehicles, including assault guns, self propelled anti-tank guns, plus several armored personnel carriers in one day. At Dison, Belgium, Pool distinguished himself while acting as a platoon leader. He decided to use his own tank to clean out an annoying pocket of resistance on the left flank of the route they were traveling. After finding and destroying six armored personnel carriers Pool discovered that the head of his column had been fired upon by a German Panther. Quickly he ordered his driver to regain the column. Upon arriving upon the scene of the action he spotted the enemy tank, gave a single estimated range to Oller. The gunner fired an A.P. projectile at 1500 yards to destroy the Panther. The column then moved on with Pool again in his customary place in the lead. Although Pool had two tanks knocked out from under him, he had nerves of steel. His crew added confidence from his bearing and as a result they moved as a single unit, like clockwork.
Pool’s one problem was that he was claustrophobic and preferred to remain, as much as possible, on the outside of his tank. Col. Richardson said that Pool rode that tank like a “bucking bronco.” He was always exposed in the turret or on top of it.
His driver, Richards, shared his commander’s condition in that he always drove with his overhead hatch open, having been trapped once with a jammed hatch. Corporal Richards said “Pool hated the Germans and thought he could lick them all. The men would draw straws to see who would lead the spearhead the next day. Pool would just say, ‘Ah’m leading this time’ and stand there grinning while we cussed him out.”
Pool’s luck ran out at the town of Munsterbusch, south of Aachen, Germany, on September 19, 1944, while leading the breakthrough through the Westwall. The crew was due to rotate home in a few days for a war bond tour. “In The Mood” was not leading this time but was flank guard for the task force that day. Pool spotted a heavy anti-tank gun hidden in a house. They had a substitute loader that day as Boggs was sent back for a hearing check-up prior to rotating to the states. The new guy shoved a round in the breech of the 76mm gun and jammed it.
Unable to fire, Pool yelled “Back up baby!” as the first shell hit the turret blowing Pool off the tank onto the ground. He landed running and his right leg folded up like an accordion. He quickly gave himself a morphine injection, sat down and tried to cut his shattered leg off with his pocket knife. Meanwhile, a second shell hit the tank well forward as Richards backed the tank up slowly. To Richards, Oller, the loader and Close, there was only the bell sound of the hit, the stench of powder and shower of sparks. Richards didn’t know that Pool had been thrown clear of the turret and kept on backing up. Col. Richardson saw “In The Mood” slowly reach a cut bank and, as if in slow motion, topple over, almost upside down.
Oller felt the blood on his leg and knew that he had been wounded. The others were unhurt and all four crawled out of the overturned tank.
Col. Richardson came up to Pool and gave him another shot of morphine. Aid men then reached Pool who was bleeding badly from the splinter wound. They gave him a third shot of morphine. Two of them quickly attended to Oller. Pool cursed the Germans bitterly as the aid men bandaged his wound. As they put him in the litter he twisted suddenly and said, “Somebody take care of my tank.”
The war was over for Lafayette G. Pool. He knew that he and his crew could beat the Germans. He proved it so often that his record is almost an unbelievable document of total victory. The amazing score by the Texan and his crew is fully authenticated by the 3d Armored Division.
Pool was twice nominated for the Medal of Honor. The first time the papers were lost, the second time it was turned down as the higher-ups felt that it was a crew, not an individual effort. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Purple Heart, French Croix de Guerre with Bronze Star, Belgium Fourragere and Order of St. George Medal…
Really impressive, outstanding performance for a sherman tank commander.
Here I found a pic.
And how many were tanks in number of these vehicles?
I read about one interesting metod which was used by the soviet crews of lend-lees Sherman tank against Tigers.
Group of 2 or 3 Shermans lying in ambush aimed into the moving Tigris.
Than first sherman shoot in Tiger , trying hit to the track .
If shot was successful, Tiger was deprived of one caterpillar and by the inertia continued to move, being turned to 90 degrees and showing board. After this, other tanks shot at the board or at the rear and struck the Tigris.
Thus were hited many Tigers.
Interesting, but whenever I have lost a track you just come to a halt. If the track breaks it just runs out with the road wheels running free. It is the resistance from the stopped track that makes it turn, no resistance, no turn. Tanks do not go that fast 20 MPH at most cross-country.
that was a good question, I dont think it was in excess of 30/40… good number by the way.
This depended on the type of surface on which the Tiger moved.
Let us examine the situation, when Tiger’s right caterpillar is teared .
1 situation.
If Tiger moved on the cobble-stone road:
At the first moment right side will continue inertial motion. But when the crew of the Tigris will note breakdown and will attempt stop machine, impede will be only left side. Tank will unroll to the left by the inertia.
2 situation
Tiger moved on the unmetalled road or on soil.
Right wheels ( of 48/67-tonns Tiger1/2) instantly fall through into the soil and stop. Tank crew does not manage to immediately turn off engine and the left caterpillar of tank continues motion, turning tank to the right.
3 situation .
The torn away right caterpillar wedges right wheels. In this case the tank is turned to the right on any surface.
This method of “hunting the Tigers” was used by Soviet tankers even on the Kursk battle.
According to experience of operating heavy tanks during the motion of more than 10 km/h with the break of caterpillar in 90% of cases the tank changes direction.
All what Chevan described is correct. German tanks turned to either side when one caterpillar was broken.
Lancer44
By the way the Tiger 1 was in my opinion a better combat machine than the Tiger II.
sorry the off topic.
Agree.
There’s no way to tell. But any American tanker faced sever disadvantages since they had inferior vehicles in direct combat. And the Shermans were used almost exclusively in the offensive mode. I think it would be easier to be a “tank ace” on the defensive picking off advancing tanks in the open, from a presighted ambush position.
I read about one interesting metod which was used by the soviet crews of lend-lees Sherman tank against Tigers.
Group of 2 or 3 Shermans lying in ambush aimed into the moving Tigris.
Than first sherman shoot in Tiger , trying hit to the track .
If shot was successful, Tiger was deprived of one caterpillar and by the inertia continued to move, being turned to 90 degrees and showing board. After this, other tanks shot at the board or at the rear and struck the Tigris.
Thus were hited many Tigers.
There were similar methods used by desperate Western Allied tankers. Usually, a couple of Sherman tankers would “distract” a Panther or Tiger by firing at it, hopefully from some cover, while a couple more would try to flank or get behind.
They also would often “field-modify” their tanks with applique armor such as logs, sandbags, or whatever metal plates they could find. They would also make cosmetic changes, such as putting pipes on the 75mm gun to extend it, and make it look like the more formidable 76mm high velocity gun.
There’s a great “History Channel” program of the Sherman called “Suicide Missions” (which was later changed to “Dangerous Missions”) in which it was stated that some American tankers would change Sherman tanks after they were knocked out, and simply went and got another one to go back into battle until they were killed, or got their target. The only advantage of the original M-4 Shermans was their numbers, due to ease of production and repair.