they were supplied by Lend-Lease.

I feel lucky to hear these stories and am grateful for the fact you're willing to share, and are internet savvy. Thanks for all that you fought for!

The "88" shell that took our tank out hit the transmission, which was in the low front of the tank. It went into the gears. Had the shell been higher it would have hit the turret where I and my sergeant were. Had it hit the side it would have hit our fuel or our ammunition. The crew of five got out with out a scratch and two of us are happy and alive today. We were in "B" Company, 20th Armored Division.

To have survived an 88 in the tanks the USA had in WW2 is amazing...but I'd bet you did get some serious injuries--or--the 88 went right through your tank. Not planning for much open range land fighting put the USA in a deep deficit in European land battles...but, like the Russians, sheer numbers can overcome a lot of battles. Germany wasted all their time polishing rivets while Stalingrad was unfolding and by Feb. '43 they found themselves in deep shit which as you know, they never recovered from...then they wasted time on the "Elephant" and the "Maus"--truly stupid designs.

Took my basic training at Fort Knox. To have your tank destroyed by a German "88" in WW2 and be walking around 63 years later is wonderful.

This is the model tank Humphrey Bogart drove across the desert in the WWII movie "Sahara." I think Bogie's tank was named "Lulu Belle." That gun turret on the side always made this model look like a throwback to the tanks of WWI.