The Tank Killers

Archival Summary & Scope

*The Tank Killers* chronicles the American Tank Destroyer Force, a bold and ultimately controversial World War II experiment. Conceived in 1941 to be fast, maneuverable, and armed with firepower specifically to destroy German panzers, these specialized units debuted in North Africa in 1942. From ad hoc beginnings through the brutal campaigns of Italy and the European Theater, Tank Destroyer crews constantly adapted their doctrine and equipment, evolving into versatile tank hunters, assault guns, and artillery. They often engaged deadly German armor when conventional tanks struggled, achieving impressive kill/loss ratios by V-E Day. However, despite their battlefield successes, the Army deemed the separate Tank Destroyer arm fundamentally flawed, disbanding it by 1946. Drawing on extensive battalion records and veteran accounts, this book details the unique history of these innovative, yet ephemeral, combat units.