"Records show the tank in question had a registration number of 3083081 and Cobra King's number (is) 3083084, as seen in the famous photo from Bastogne," Stigall said. The historians also provided the strongest evidence of the tank's identity - information on its serial and registration numbers. Ruhnke said it was part of the 1st Armored Division's historic vehicle collection through the 1980s and was transferred to the 3rd Infantry Division museum in 1989. Stigall said Baltimore historian Joe DeMarco pointed out several more clues that helped the sergeant identify the tank: mismatched road wheels, reversed return and tension rollers.ĭeMarco's records also show the vehicle's location from the end of World War II to today. Patton in March to April 1945," Lemons wrote in an e-mail to USAREUR historians. ![]() "The tank was simply 'up-gunned' - a simple process that was done at the order of Gen. ![]() Patton to make Cobra King a more effective anti-tank weapon, Lemons said. The upgrade was ordered by 3rd Army commander Gen. Cobra King was later upgraded to 76mm in 1945, according to Lemons' findings. The first versions of the 42-ton Jumbos carried a 75mm main gun, two 50-caliber and one 30-caliber machine guns. Lemons' research and expertise shed more light on the background of the Army's Shermans and unveiled details that suggested the tank in Vilseck might indeed be Cobra King.Ĭobra King is one of only 254 M4A3E2 Jumbos built by the Fisher Tank Arsenal, starting in June 1944. Lemons is considered the Army's top authority on tanks, she said. Torony knew just who to enlist to get to the bottom of Cobra King's identity - Charles Lemons, curator for the Patton Museum at Fort Knox, Ky. He started his quest with Steven Ruhnke, the 1st Armored Division museum curator in Baumholder, Germany, who introduced him to U.S. But after Stigall attended a historical reenactment of the Battle of the Bulge re-enactment, the Jumbo by the base's back gate suddenly stood out in his mind.Ī historical marker outside a still-standing bunker on the outskirts of Bastogne displays images of Cobra King that reminded the air defense artilleryman of the tank in Vilseck.Īfter a tour of duty at Fort Bliss, Texas, Stigall said, he returned to Germany and began a mission to track down the vehicle's history. Brian Stigall of the 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, said he drove past the tank many times while training on Rose Barracks, but normally paid little attention to it. Army Garrison Grafenwoehr civilian employee said the tank has been in place at Rose Barracks for at least 10 years. ![]() Cobra King went into battle with tankers from Company C, 37th Tank Battalion. The tank's moniker comes from the tank corps tradition of naming vehicles with the first letter of their companies' designations. 26, 1944, the same Sherman "Jumbo" tank and its crew led a combined infantry and armor column that relieved Soldiers of the 101st Airborne Division surrounded by the enemy in Bastogne, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Today Cobra King sits overlooking the back gate of Rose Barracks here, a nearly forgotten silent steel hulk. One day before Christmas 2008, it officially began a new journey to its rightful place as part of the Army's heritage. VILSECK, Germany - One day after Christmas 1945, "Cobra King" battled its way into World War II history. During the Battle of the Bulge the tank and its crew led an armor an infantry column that relieved the 101st Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium during the Battle of the Bulge. 'Cobra King' on Rose Barracks in Vilseck, Germany, today.
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