They fired 2 more rounds into the Panther causing the ammo rack to explode to where it burned for 3 days straight.The events of March 6 are painstakingly documented in Adam Makos’ remarkable 2019 book, Spearhead, which follows the tank gunner Clarence Smoyer through the war. Smoyer’s crew on the other hand did not hesitate and fired a round on the move, hitting the Panther than stopping. The Germans saw the Pershing coming but hesitated because they never seen a Pershing before and didn’t know if it was friendly or not. The crew proceeded to rush down the street towards the Panther. Thinking quickly, Smoyer fired a 90mm round through the building causing it to collapse ontop of the Panther jamming its turret. The 19 year old gunner, Clarence Smoyer spotted the Panther has it backed up behind a building. A new heavy tank called the M26 Pershing from the 3rd Armored Division as called up front to make its combat debut. A lone Panther tank decided to make its final stand infront of the Cologne Cathedral, after knocking out a M4 Sherman of which only 2 out of 5 crewmen survived. Jim Bates, a photographer in the First Army Signal Corps recorded one of, if not the most famous tank engagement in history. More March 6th, 1945 during the Battle of Cologne, Germany.
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