70 YEARS AGO, through the hedgerows and onto St Lo: During the early weeks of July, while the 102nd Cavalry was fighting in the FORET de CERISY, four members of this Squadron began a long and energetic search for the solution to the grave problem presented to the forces of the First United States Army by the hedgerows in the terrain over which they were operating. By working in the closest collaboration, Major Arthur C. Person, Major, then Captain, James G. Depew, Captain Stephen M. Litton and Sergeant Curtis G. Cullin developed a device to be mounted on light and medium tanks which would enable the track laying vehicles to pass through hedgerows, dirt fences or other embankments which would otherwise be impossible. Constructed from German scrap angle iron, the hedgerow cutter, officially named Rhinoceros, afforded the only successful solution to the problems of hedgerow warfare then being encountered in France; and its subsequent adoption by this Squadrons Company F and other armored units materially contributed to the Armys advances. The four men directly responsible were later awarded the Legion of Merit for their outstanding contribution to the military service. Tank drivers, Tec 4 Harmon S. McNorton, and Private John Hughey who drove the first tank with the Rhino in hazardous test run, and the welders, Tec 4 Wesley A, Hewitt, Tec 5 John Jessen and Tec 5 Ernest Hardcastle who installed the device, all made inestimable contribution to its eventual success and were awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service. The first real tests, made under combat conditions, were during and after the ST. LO Breakthrough. The veil of secrecy, which had been carefully kept, was lifted on this date and by the time the Americans broke through the German wall, all tank units, then on the line, had installed the new Rhinos. Their devastating success was proven during the next two weeks beyond doubt.
Posted on: Sun, 27 Jul 2014 12:40:58 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015