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| M10 Tank Destroyer, U.S. Version |
| Photo by Herve Abrahms |
Audie Murphy earned his Medal of Honor during the Battle of the Colmar Pocket
near Holtzwihr, France. During this battle, he climbed aboard a burning
M10 "Wolverine" Tank Destroyer which was abandoned in a nearby ditch and began
firing a .50 caliber machine gun at the enemy. He killed an estimated 50
German foot soldiers and turned back 6 Panzer tanks. As Audie fought this
lone battle, the M10 he was on sustained an estimated three direct hits from
either enemy tanks or artillery. Later, during the filming of TO HELL AND
BACK, Audie Murphy, who wanted the movie to be accurate, became unhappy when
there were no M10's available during the film's production. He reluctantly
had to settle for a Sherman tank during the filming of the famous
battle (see "Clearing Up Misconception" in the
Newspaper Clipping section of this web site for more information on this topic).
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M10 Tank Destroyer
U.S. Version |
| Photo by Herve Abrahms |
There are two M10 Tank Destroyers at the 4th Infantry Division
Museum located at Fort Hood, Texas. These two vehicles are a few of just a
handful that have survived the years since World War II. The one seen in
this photo is the U.S. version. Production of this particular M10 began in
September, 1942. The pentagonal welded turret, equipped with a 3-inch M7
gun in an M5 mount, was used with a Sherman chassis. To balance the weight
of the 3" gun, counter weights weighing about 3600 lbs were added to the top
rear of the turret. Total production of the M10 Tank Destroyers was 4,993.
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M10 Tank Destroyer
U.S. Version |
| Photo by Herve Abrahms |
The British version, known as the M10 "Achilles", which can also be seen
at Fort Hood but isn't pictured here, had an improved 17-pounder Mark V Main
Gun which gave it greater fire power. The most obvious difference between
the two versions was that the British version had a prominent muzzle brake
at the end of it's gun barrel. Audie Murphy, however, fought from atop the
U.S. version, known as the "Wolverine", which is pictured here.
The mission of the Tank Destroyers was to engage and destroy enemy armor
permitting Allied tanks to concentrate on exploitation of break throughs
and the destruction of enemy rear areas. Fort Hood was one of the main
training facilities of tank destroying forces during World War II.
The M10's technical information (U.S. version) is provided below:
| Gun, Motor Carriage |
| Tank Destroyer, M10, United States |
| Nickname: | Wolverine |
| Crew: | 5 |
| Armament: | 3-inch M7 Main Gun, .50 Caliber Machine Gun |
| Power: | General Motors Engine, Twin Diesel 6-71 |
| Speed: | 25 Miles Per Hour (Road) |
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M10 Tank Destroyer
U.S. Version |
| Photo by Herve Abrahms |
To visit the 4th Infantry Division, from Interstate 35 in Belton, Texas take
the US Highway 190 exit and travel west toward Fort Hood, Texas. At Fort
Hood, take the main entrance and drive past the baseball stadium one block
to Battalion Headquarters Avenue. At Battalion Headquarters Avenue, turn
right. Drive approximately 1 miles until you see the museum on the right
side of the road next to the 4th Infantry Division's headquarters. The
vehicle displays which are located outside the museum are available for
viewing at any time.
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M10 Tank Destroyer
U.S. Version |
| Photo by Herve Abrahms |
In the photograph to the right, a .50 caliber machine gun and machine gun mount
have been digitally added to the M10 Tank Destroyer. This particular machine
gun is found on a Sherman Tank and is nearly identical to the one that Audie
Murphy would have used during the Battle of the Colmar Pocket.
| Admission: | Free |
| Hours, Mon -Fri: | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Hours, Saturday: | 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Hours, Sun & Holidays: | 12 p.m. - 4 p.m. |
| Closed: | Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years |
| Director: | Ms. Ceilia M. Stratton |
| Address: | 4th Infantry Division Museum
P.O. Box 5917
Fort Hood, Texas 76544 |
| Phone: | (254) 287-8811/8812 |
| Website: | http://pao.hood.army.mil/4ID/museum/museummain.html |
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