D-Day: 741st Tank Battalion at Omaha Beach (Part 1).

I recently came across an interesting “History of the 741st Tank Battalion, for the months of June and July 1944″–typed pages stapled together and stamped “SECRET.” The 741st was attached to the Big Red One for the D-Day landing at Omaha Beach – Normandy, France.

Sherman Duplex-Drive Tank - 741st Tank Battalion

Among other weaponry the 741st employed the truly unique Sherman Duplex-Drive (DD) Tank, an amphibious vehicle surrounded by a flotation screen. Sound too good to be true? Read on to see how the DDs fared at Omaha Beach.

“On 6 June 1944 at H-Hour, the assault wave attacked the enemy on northern coast of France near Colleville-Sur-Mer and St-Laurent-Sur-Mer.

“For this operation, the battalion was attached to the 16th Combat Team of the 1st U.S. Infantry Division, commanded by Colonel George Taylor. Companies A, B, and C, the latter two companies equipped with DD tanks, were attached to battalion landing teams of the 16th C.T. as follows: Co. A, equipped with standard M4A1 medium tanks, was attached to the 3rd battalion; Co. B (DD) was attached to the 2nd battalion; Co. C (DD) was attached to the 3rd battalion.

“Company A was given the mission of landing astride the boundary between beaches Easy Red and Fox Green on beach Omaha, at H-Hour, to support with cannon and machine gun fire the assault of the 3rd battalion on the beach. Co. A was shipped on LCT’s, its tanks having been waterproofed for wading. The LCT’s were to beach at intervals in order to permit the tanks to disembark in reasonable shallow water and seek firing positions hull-down in the water.

“Company B (DD) had the mission of landing on beach Easy Red, to the right of Company A’s position on Fox Green at H-5, during the naval shell fire and to take up the fire fight with cannon and machine gun fire on the enemy emplacements and to support the landing of the 2nd battalion landing team.

“Company C (DD) attached to the 3rd battalion landing team, was given the mission of landing on Fox Green at H-5 to support with cannon and machine gun fire the landing of the landing team to which they were attached.

“At approximately H-60 on D-Day, the LCT bearing the DD tanks of companies B and C were in position off Beach Omaha at a distance of approximately 6000 yards from the beach. Co. B was commanded by Capt. James G. Thornton, Jr.; Co. C by Capt. Charles R. Young. Capt. Thornton succeeded in contacting Capt. Young by radio and the two commanders discussed the advisability of launching the DD tanks, the sea being extremely rough, much rougher than the tanks had ever operated in during their preparatory training. Both commanders agreed that the advantage to be gained by the launching of the tanks justified the risk of launching the tanks in the heavy sea. Accordingly, orders were issued for the launching of the tanks at approximately H-50.

“Some of the LCT’s were not in their assigned position and it was necessary to launch without visual contact between company commanders and platoon leaders with units. One LCT of Co. B had damaged a ramp and was unable to launch the DD Tanks aboard ship. This craft was beached, but all other tanks of both Co. B and Co. C were launched and proceeded to shore. In most cases the sea was so rough that the DD’s were damaged after proceeding a very short distance toward the shore. This damage consisted largely of broken struts, torn canvasses and improperly functioning engines which had been clogged with sea water which had flooded the engine compartment. Five tanks of Co. B succeeded in reaching the shore. The balance of the tanks of Co. B and all the tanks of Co. C were sunk at distances varying in 1000 and 5000 yards from shore. The majority of the crews escaped from their tanks and gained the surface of the water where they were picked up by small craft and taken to larger landing craft and evacuated back to the United Kingdom”

… To Be Continued.

22 Responses to “D-Day: 741st Tank Battalion at Omaha Beach (Part 1)”

  1. Natasha Thornton Godwin says:

    James G. Thornton was my paternal grandfather (he passed in 2001). I am interested in any information you can share.

  2. Capt. James G Thornton of the 741 TB IN WW2 was KIA near the Ziegfried line onSEPT. 14, 1944. My older brother Cpl Joseph Basile was in Company A 741 TB . I have aletter from THorntons relatives sent to me describing the events of his death. He was a 1940 Graduate of the Citadel.

    • Ralph R Garber Jr says:

      Hi
      My father, Ralph R Garber, was wounded the day Capt Thorton was killed (9/14/44) and I believe was part of the same attack on them by Anti Tank guns. He was a PFC in the 741st Co B. He died 2/13/2010.

      I woud be interested in seeing the letter from relatives describing the events.

      Thanks

      Ralph R Garber Jr

    • My father was a platoon Commander in co.A 741th tank Battalion on D-Day
      we( family) have discovered a collection of records that document my father’s actions on the landing on D-Day. these files and “after actions reports have been a treasure trove of personal accounts and witnesses of his actions and the actions of his platoon To the best of my knowledge there were 4 maybe 5 tanks at the most—-in my father’s platoon—–Im sure he knew everyone in his platoon —-20—-25 men—- he knew your.father ( Cpl. Joseph Basile.. Unfortunately my father was seriously wounded on June 19 between Sant Lo and CAEN. He rejoined the unit just in time for the BATTLe OF THE BULGE
      There is an author of some fantastic —good and well researched books of WW2 named Phil Nordyke who was a tremendously helpful–Google him–He may help in putting the puzzle peices together//Sincerely Bj Barcellona—-404 Whitworth rd. , Boerne,Texas 78006

      • Tignères says:

        Hello,
        My name is Serge Tignères and I am currently preparing a documentary film about the Omaha DD tanks for French television and in particular the tanks of the 741st tank battalion. The film will retrace their tragic and glorious adventure and will portray some of the heroes of D day. While doing my research, I found some information about Lieutenant Barcelona, ​​from the 3rd Platoon A Co. I think it’s your father. Did you know, for example, that his tank was named “Always in my heart” and that he fought all day on June 6, from 6 am until 11 pm?
        You can be proud of what he has done to liberate my country. And I’m grateful to him.
        Yours truly.
        [email protected]
        [email protected]

    • John T. Dallas says:

      My Uncle was Captain Cecil D. Thomas, Commander of Co A 741st Tank Batt from D Day up trough the middle of 1944. I working information on him and wondering if you might be able to furnish anything. I would to know about other people in Company A.

  3. My. Dad was in c company 741st. Tank battalion cCapt Young was his CO he was D Plus One please call me anytime at 1-201-4815502 thank you Mario Belfiore

  4. Charles Robinson says:

    Are you going to offer reprints of the history? I am doing research on armor operations on D-Day through the Bocage.

  5. Joshua Ayers says:

    My grandfather was at Omaha with 741st on D-Day. He has kept up with a small handfull of his brothers in arms, but regretfully, most have passed on. I do have access to the information (what he will share with me) regarding things that happened in between the pages of official reporting. Truly a fascinating story, the 741st.

    • Barry Barcellona says:

      My name is Barry Barcellona. My father was 1st Lt. Geatano R. Barcellona. He commanded a platoon of tanks of the 741st TB on D-Day thru June 19, 1944 , when he was seriously wounded by mortar fire in an area between St. Lo and Caen. He recovered in England and returned to the 741st just in time for the Battle of the Bulge. That battle began in Krinkelt-Rauchrath, Belgium (also referred to as the twin villages) on the morning of December 15-16,1944.
      Mr. Joshua Ayers, I would like to hear or see any accounts ,personal account or documentation you( or anyone else for that matter) have on the 741st Tank Battalion. Thank you ,Barry Barcellona

      • Carl Warren says:

        My Dad was there at d day. With dd tanks and sank that morning
        From there was picked up by a small boat and helped Capt Thornton regroup. From there they went to hill 192 to the hedgerows and Rocharath and krinkelt where the enemy armor used the roads. Dad said the main armor drove them out. He was last man out. Said he just knew he would be killed. They came back to take the ground back and lost his tank it was on then no one was taking prisoners. Short on amo he said he went back to his damaged tank to get 76mm shells out. Had to wipe the brains of his take driver off shells. I t was hand to hand for wile.
        It was very cold also . Ended up in Chekcozlavaka to fight Russians
        My dads name was Willis D. Warren 2Lt. B co. The things he would tell us made me feel as if I was there. Died Sept 20 th 2001.
        I’m his son Carl Warren 731-780-0489

  6. Patrick Knierman says:

    My great-uncle was T/4 Walter Ray “Bud” Jones, Company B, 741st Tank Battalion. He was a Sherman DD driver and was killed on June 6, 1944. The family was told 2 different accounts- one that he drowned when the tank sank, the other that he made it out of the tank and was later killed on shore. His body was finally identified in October 1944 and buried in the American Cemetery at St. Laurent. In 1947, his remains were returned to the US and buried in his hometown of Medina, Tennessee.

  7. Ed Erwin says:

    My father, Troy Erwin, was in the 741st, Staff Sargent, tank driver and mechanic. He was in the landing at Normandy and in the Battle of the Bulge. I do not know which company but I will ask him. I will see him tomorrow and ask. He cannot hear on the phone. He is soon to be 96.

  8. JanisCJ says:

    My 2nd cousin, Pearl “Ted” Ross, was KIA July 27, 1944, and that’s all I knew about his death until today. My mom and her family were close to Ted’s family, being cousins, neighbors, and classmates at school. I want to add more information to his Find A Grave memorial, and a combination of his date and unit (from the request for a marker) lead me to your page. Find A Grave Memorial# 79688835 Thanks for this site.

  9. Bill Warnock says:

    I’m presently writing a history of the 741st Tank Battalion, a project nearing completion after twenty years. I also recently launched a website, and there’s a page dedicated to the battalion.

    http://www.etohistory.com/741st-tank-battalion

    • Mike Martin says:

      Please contact when your history of the 741st is finished
      Looking for info on Clarence Morris T5 of Kentucky who died on d day
      Thanks

      • Rob Greiner says:

        Mike,
        I am also searching for information on Clarence, a relative of mine (as I presume for you as well?). I would be curious if you have made any headway in your search. Please drop me a line, [email protected].
        -Rob

    • Joseph Yukna says:

      Bill
      I am with the Cape Cod Military Museum. I am building an 1/18th display model of a Deep Wading M4 (welded hull) Sherman of the 741st to go in our 75th Anniversary D-Day exhibition. I would like to do a tank that survived the day. Do you have an image of one or know the name, markings so I can make an accurate as possible representation?
      In addition the 741st trained at Camp Wellfleet, Cape Cod Massachusetts. They used M-3 Lee tanks at that time do you have any information or images of this? FYI the boys knocked down every tree on Camp Wellfleet and created a coastal prairie a unique environment here on Cape Cod. There are many species of birds an insects that live there and no where else on the cape!

  10. Michael Connor says:

    My uncle Donald P. Lucey was at Easy Red, I think he was in COY B. Always said the tank was hit by a shell which caused it to sink. Also said the sinking was the most frightening experience of the entire war, and that included Krinkelt-Rocherath.

  11. Kerry Miller Takacs says:

    My Grandfather, Medic Charles E. Miller, served with the 741st Tank Battalion. I have his discharge papers and some of his award paperwork. Unfortunately he died in 1958 so I never met him, however I have traced his WWII service to the best of my ability. Funnily enough, My husband was stationed in Baltimore (USCG) and we lived on Fort Meade 2005-2009… the same place he had trained in May of 1942 before heading to Camp Young in Indio, California. I have photos from his time in service, of which some unidentified soldiers are also in. You can find them in my family tree on Ancestry.com (KTakacs4).

  12. Jon Wooldridge says:

    My Father was Richard D. (Dick) Wooldridge. He was a member of the 741st Tank Battalion, I believe B Company and was a driver of one of the Sherman DDs that sunk during the landing attempt. He was plucked out of the water and transported back aboard a larger vessel, and was returned to England for re-assignment. He later saw action in the Battle of the Bulge/Ardennes Forest northern front.

  13. Greg Slade says:

    My grandfather was Walter J. Slodkowski and he was a member of the 741st tank battalion company B. He served in both D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge. I’m looking for any information on him because he never talked about his time in the war. I was wondering if anyone had good sites to search to find information. Thanks.

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