Hi guys,

I'm tring to aquire some decent reference pics for the M8 Greyhounds (or any other allied vehicles for that matter) taken during the aftermath of the ambush at Poteau.
The Germans took a lot of propaganda pics there but these mostly focus on the german troops (most famously on the now dragon sculpted guys).

I'm after some half decent pics of the allied armour there as most of the pics i've aquired just have them out of focus behind the SS troops or just out of shot (a tyre here and a corner there).
Also of great help would be the unit markings applied to the M8 greyhounds of 14th Cavalry Group - 18th + 32nd reconissance squadron.

Any help greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

James

hi james
as you allready say teh germans took a lot of photos of this event
so maybe you allready know this
hope it helps

bazooka

Hi Bastian,

Thanks for the pic, its exactly what i'm looking for, unfortunately I have already got this one (I must admit though it is by far the best of the ones I have). Sorry mate but many thanks anyway.

If anyone else has others like this or any info on the markings i'd really appreciate it.

Thanks,

James

I've seen the photo above in better resolution and the M8 in front seems tohave marking on the left side of the hull "1A 18C". I'm not sure if it makes any sense (1st Army, 18th Cavalry Sq.) The number in the light (white , yellow) circle above it is "7".

Not sure about the 1A (you could well be correct with 1st army ) but i'd imagine the 18 is from the 18th reconaissance squadron, part of 14th Cavalry group.
The 7 in the yellow circle will be the vehicles weight at 7t (I have the greyhound as being 7.8t).

Thankyou for the insight Galwitz!

James

I finally found it online in quality where the markings are visible:

James-- the 14 Cavalry Group was under the operational control of the First United States Army (1A)when one of their subordinate squadrons (18th) entered the Losheim Gap area in November of 1944. The ambush film which is a staged reenactment for propaganda purposes shows the vehicles from the 18th after they were ambushed between Rechts and Poteau. If you can get a hold of Battle of the Bulge:Then and Now, the author has a number of shots from the film and a description of what happened to this convoy. The other squadron of the 14th was the 32nd Cavalry and they were refitting about twenty miles further to the east when the Germans attacked. The yellow 7 is not the weight of the vehicle rather it is a bridge classification number based on the weight range of the vehicle. A traffic control point, for example, would only allow this vehicle to cross on a Class VII bridge or highter. There are probably a host of vehicle in the 7 range.
I got my Masters Degree in History using the actions of the 14th Cavalry as my thesis. If you need anything else about this unit let me know. By the way, the Army re established the 14 Cavalry Regiment when it started up the Stryker units.
DJ

Thanks Galwitz, thats a great help with the markings!

James

James--- I trust the information I provided will enhance your project.
DJ

[/quote]James-- the 14 Cavalry Group was under the operational control of the First United States Army (1A)when one of their subordinate squadrons (18th) entered the Losheim Gap area in November of 1944. The ambush film which is a staged reenactment for propaganda purposes shows the vehicles from the 18th after they were ambushed between Rechts and Poteau. If you can get a hold of Battle of the Bulge:Then and Now, the author has a number of shots from the film and a description of what happened to this convoy. The other squadron of the 14th was the 32nd Cavalry and they were refitting about twenty miles further to the east when the Germans attacked. The yellow 7 is not the weight of the vehicle rather it is a bridge classification number based on the weight range of the vehicle. A traffic control point, for example, would only allow this vehicle to cross on a Class VII bridge or highter. There are probably a host of vehicle in the 7 range.
I got my Masters Degree in History using the actions of the 14th Cavalry as my thesis. If you need anything else about this unit let me know. By the way, the Army re established the 14 Cavalry Regiment when it started up the Stryker units.
DJ[/quote]

Thanks DJ some excellent info there, it will be of great use.
I understand the 7 being a weight classification thing for bridges, I just couldn't put my thoughts into words as well as yourself! Its a friday and I think my brain is at its weekly low!
You're obviously the guy to ask about this subject then by the looks of things!

If I was to replicate the markings used on a greyhound of the 18th what would need to be on the left hand front fender if they were marked as 1A 18C on the right hand front fender.
Also any idea what range the serial numbers may be in or am I talking this too far!

Cheers,

James

Based on what I've seen on some M8s from other units, I'm guessing that on the right side of the front panel (having 1A18C on the left side, as you look at the picture) you would have company ID (letter) and vehicle number within the company (for example: B20 = vehicle #20, Company B). I'm affraid those (together with registration number on the side of the hull) might be harder to find out.

Hmmmm, I thought as much.
I suppose though that these are also more open to interpretation (artistic license) providing the others are correct.

Thanks again Galwitz,

James

James-- let me add to the bumper markings by saying that your front marking reverse sides when applied to the rear. Thus, the front is 1A 18C on the right and on the left B 20, (troop not company in the cavalry). The rear has 1A 18C on the left and B 20 on the right rear. The vehicle sequence numbering within the troop would go 10, 11, 12 ,13 and 14 for the first platonn and then the same sequence of 20 for the second, 30 for the third platoon. The also had jeeps and M-3 Half Tracks which if you get the photos sequence used in several replies you'll see burning. The 18th Cavalry had been in Europe since August of 1944 so they would have accumulated extra weapons and vehicles. The M-3s were also used for medical evacuation and other administrative duties. If use them in the project the left front bumper marking would be HQ then a vehicle sequence number. The commander of a troop, the squadron and the group used the number 06. So, the troop commander is B 06, squadron commander would be HQ 06, group commander HQ 06 with 1A 14 C on the right. The weight classification number goes on the drivers side of the vehicle. Look forward to seeing your work.
DJ

Hi James I did this on for a campaign thats the vehicle from the photo I used Steve Zalogas Battle of the bulge book lots of photo's of the ambush and the rest of the campaign.highly reccomend it

John-- very nice. As I review your photo, I am drawn back to the bridge classification number. Does the Zaloga book show one. I do not recall seeing one in my photo books.
thanks
DJ

Hi DJ, If I remember correctly you helped me with those markings many moons ago.I had a look at the book last night pictures are not that good just a lot of them,is the bridging number the 7 with the yellow circle.