WWII U.S. Army M-10 Tank Destroyer in Italy, 1945

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This U.S. Army photo was taken 3 March 1945 in the Monte Terminale area of Italy during the campaign in the North Apennines. It shows an M-10 tank destroyer of the 701st Tank Destroyer Battalion (U.S. Fifth Army), as it advances along a mountain road in support of the 10th Mountain Division, which is pushing north from Poretta on Route 64 toward the Po Valley.

The M10 TD was produced by mounting a 3-inch M7 gun in an M5 mount, riding on a Sherman M4 tank chassis. The open top, pentagonal welded turret was fitted with 3600 pounds of counterweights to balance the gun weight. About 5000 M10s were produced during World War II.

In the large version of this photo, you can find a half-finished Bailey Bridge and a knocked-ou Sherman tank, as well as soldiers, destroyed homes and other features in the background. Small details of the tank destroyer and crew are visible as well.

Today in WW II: 8 Feb 1940 Germans establish the first large Jewish ghetto in Poland in the city of Lodz. More ↓

8 Feb 1941 US House of Representatives passes the Lend-Lease Act [265 to 165].
8 Feb 1942 Battle of Sarimbun Beach begins, the first stage of the Japanese assault on Singapore.
8 Feb 1942 Japanese Offensive in Burma begins [8 Feb-2 May].
8 Feb 1945 Battle of the Reichswald: British and Canadian forces under Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery begin Operation Veritable [8 Feb-11 Mar].
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