![]() ![]() The duel knocked out the Panther, achieved a measure of revenge for the deaths of other U.S. ![]() The shell slammed into the German tank, followed by two more quick rounds in a remarkable one-on-one battle that was immortalized on film by an Army cameraman. Clarence Smoyer, the tank’s gunner, spotted the enemy’s gun barrel pointed his way the instant before he pulled the trigger. They fired 2 more rounds into the Panther causing the ammo rack to explode to where it burned for 3 days straight.WASHINGTON - The German Panther tank lay in ambush in the debris-filled streets of Cologne in the waning days of World War II, an American tank in its sights just 70 yards away.Īs the Americans rolled forward in challenge, Cpl. ![]() Smoyer’s crew on the other hand did not hesitate and fired a round on the move, hitting the Panther than stopping. The Germans saw the Pershing coming but hesitated because they never seen a Pershing before and didn’t know if it was friendly or not. The crew proceeded to rush down the street towards the Panther. ![]() Thinking quickly, Smoyer fired a 90mm round through the building causing it to collapse ontop of the Panther jamming its turret. The 19 year old gunner, Clarence Smoyer spotted the Panther has it backed up behind a building. A new heavy tank called the M26 Pershing from the 3rd Armored Division as called up front to make its combat debut. A lone Panther tank decided to make its final stand infront of the Cologne Cathedral, after knocking out a M4 Sherman of which only 2 out of 5 crewmen survived. Jim Bates, a photographer in the First Army Signal Corps recorded one of, if not the most famous tank engagement in history. More March 6th, 1945 during the Battle of Cologne, Germany. ![]()
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