Men of the 18th F.A reload rockets in Hurtgen Germany, 11/30/44.

Reloading rockets

In this picture of the Life’s photographer George Silk some American M4 Sherman tanks parked in a field of poppies during the Italian Campaign in August 1944. Note the soldier crouched in the middle of the flowers as a relax moment, but also the gun of the second Sherman traversed as if to counter a possible threat from the side. The date and the landscape suggest the Central Apennines likely during the first operations against the Gothic Line. A question for the armored vehicles expert: what is the purpose of the canvas or net over the tank’s tracks? Thanks. Victor Sierra

In a field of poppies

African-American troops of the 784th Tank Battalion and their Sherman tanks preparing to cross the Rhine River, March 1945(rudeerude)