The video narrates the historical event known as the Cologne Tank Jewel, a significant battle during World War II. On March 6, 1945, American tanks from the Third Armored Division fought their way into the German city of Cologne, aiming to capture the vital Hohen Zollern Bridge over the Rhine. The American forces were led by Colonel Leander Downs' Task Force X, which included two tanks: the Sherman 76 commanded by Lieutenant Carl Kellner and the Pershing tank commanded by Sergeant Bob.
The Pershing tank was particularly important due to its weight, armor, and powerful 90 millimeter gun. The crew of the Pershing, including cameraman Jim Bates, were embedded within the leading elements of the American forces, meticulously capturing still images and footage of the battle.
The German forces, including remnants of the 363rd Volks Grenadier Division and at least three tanks from Panzer Brigade 106, were in place in the area. The plan of attack was for the American units to push in on each flank of the city, sealing off any escape routes. A central column led by the tanks of Task Force X was to attack from the Northwest, driving into the heart of the city to capture the cathedral and the vital bridge.
The battle was intense, with both sides suffering heavy losses. The American forces managed to advance into the city and clear the westernmost suburbs, with the famous twin spires of the cathedral finally in sight. The German forces, however, were preparing a counterattack, with a Panzer Mark IV arriving from Southwest Germany.
The battle culminated in a fierce tank-to-tank confrontation, with the Pershing and the Mark IV exchanging fire. The Pershing was hit multiple times, but the crew managed to continue advancing towards the cathedral. The battle ended with the Pershing firing its final round into the Panther, which was abandoned by its crew.
The video concludes with the crew of the Pershing, including Jim Bates, Clarence Smoyer, and Fred Ramage, emerging from the upstairs window of a building after the battle. The battle for Cologne was over, and the American forces eventually went home, while many of their comrades did not.
1. On March 6, 1945, American tanks from the Third Armored Division fought their way into the heart of the German city of Cologne.
2. The last few tanks of the once formidable 106th Panzer Brigade were desperately trying to repel the American advance and hold the vital bridge over the river Rhine.
3. The action in Cologne is known as the Cologne Tank Jewel and was captured in real time by combat cameramen on the ground.
4. By March 1945, the Western Front looked something like this, with the Germans being pushed back towards the mighty Rhine all along the front, including in Cologne.
5. The city of Cologne was shattered by Allied bombers but still represented an important Allied objective.
6. The Americans were led by the tanks of Colonel Leander Downs' task force X, some 45 in total.
7. The Pershing tank, weighing 46 tons with 100 millimeters of frontal armor and a powerful 90 millimeter gun, was a big step up from the far more common Sherman.
8. The action in Cologne was unique in World War II history thanks to a group of journalists, photographers, and combat cameramen who were embedded within the leading elements as they advanced.
9. The Americans were facing remnants of the badly mauled 363rd Volks Grenadier division and at least three German tanks from Panzer Brigade 106 in the vicinity.
10. The plan of attack was for units to push in on each flank of the city, sealing off any escape north or south, while a central column led by the tanks of enf companies of a 30-second armored regiment would attack from the Northwest, driving into the heart of the city to capture the cathedral and hopefully the vital Hohen Zollern Bridge Over the Rhine.
11. The Pershing group, accompanied by cameraman Bates, also advanced directly towards the Mark IV commanded by Ober Felder Rolf.
12. The nerves were incredible on both sides as the two tanks cautiously closed distance slowly feeling their way through the rubble-filled streets.
13. The Holden Zolan rail Bridge, the last possible lifeline for the German armor in Cologne, was blown up by German pioneers, leaving no way out.
14. With the path now clear, the Pershing cautiously began to advance towards the cathedral with infantry and Camera team in tow.
15. The Pershing was hit by a 75 millimeter armor-piercing shell slamming into the gunshield of Kelner's Sherman, tearing through its armor and probably killing driver Julian Patrick and an assistant Gunner Curtis.
16. The crew of the second Sherman began to reverse to cover behind a rubble pile when it too was hit this time in the right track by the concealed Panther with its crew abandoning rather than fleeing the area.
17. The Panther had taken up position beneath this bridge close to the railway station and it was from here that they had spotted and hit the two Shermans.
18. The Panther had finally broken cover and moved forward some 100 meters to take up a new position right here.
19. The Pershing had cleared the corner and without stopping slammed around from only 110 meters directly into the side of the Panther.
20. The battle for Cologne was over and Bob Early, Clarence Smoyer, and the men of the Third Armored eventually went home as did Gustav Schaefer and Wilhelm Bartelborth.