Early in June 1944, Army commanders expressed a need for a new breed of tank that could mount either a 90mm or 105mm main gun. This request was approved by the Army Staff soon thereafter even though trials of the new T26E1 had already begun back at Fort Knox earlier that year. Unfortunately, the first limited run of procurement vehicles did not occur until December 1944, largely due to in-fighting among the Army brass who were unsure which gun to use. The first twenty T26E3s were finally shipped out to the ETO in January 1945, with some seeing action in western Germany the following month. Full production of the heavy tank began in March 1945 when it proved itself time and again against some of the more formidable German tanks fielded by the Wehrmacht. At the same time the tank was redesignated the M26 Pershing, in honor of WWI General 'Black Jack' Pershing. Total wartime production of the M26 reached 1,436 vehicles with a further 992 tanks produced in late 1945.

Shown here is a 1:72 scale replica of a US M26 Pershing heavy tank that was attached to E Tank Company, 67th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division, then advancing through Germany during April 1945. Sold Out!

Dimensions:
Length: 4-inches
Width: 1-1/2-inches

Release Date: March 2008

Historical Account: "Blackjack" - On June 9th, 1944 (D+3), the 2nd Armored Division rolled ashore at Omaha beach. On June 11th, 1944, Combat Command A of the 2nd Armored Division was sent to support elements of the 101st Airborne Division and the 29th Reconnaissance company who had secured a bridge head over the Vire river at Auville-sur-la-Vey. That bridgehead helped secure the beachhead for V Corps. As V Corps began its next phase of operations, the capture of Caumont, the 2nd Armored Division moved into the Ready Reserve for the assault.

Over the next few days, elements of the 2nd Armored Division were dispatched to support various Infantry units as the Allied forces met stiff resistance. Combat Command A was again assigned to support the 101st Airborne Division this time in the attack on Carentan. On June 13th, 1944 the coordinated attack had not only secured the town of Carentan, but had driven the defenders over 2 miles from the town.

Their attack prevented an enemy counter-attack which might have split the link between the invading Corps. Now that Carentan was secured, the allied forces were able to enlarge the corridor of communications between Isigny and Carentan.

Over the course of the next year, the 2nd Armored Division continued to support the advancing infantry divisions. The 2nd Armored Division is credited with ensuring success in Northern France, the Ardennes Forest, and helped close the northernt pincer in the Ruhr pocket. When the war ended in 1945, the 2nd Armored Division stood on the banks of the Elbe river at Madgeburg, ready to cross. After V-E day, the 2nd Armored Division reported to Drutte for occupation duty. They were relieved and returned home to Fort Hood Texas in January of 1946.