Artist David Pentland with the original painting A Perfect Tank Attack
Personal notes on this painting from the artist :
Col. Creighton W. Abrams joined the 4th Armored Division in 1941 as a regimental adjutant, a battalion commander in 1942, commander of 37th Tank Regiment in 1944 and CCB commander in 1945.
During much of this time his unit was at the spearhead of the 4th Armored Division and the US Third Army, and he was consequently well known as an aggressive armor commander. By using his qualities as a leader and by consistently exploiting the relatively small advantages of speed and reliability of his vehicles, he managed to defeat German forces that had the advantage of superior armor and superior guns. He was twice decorated with the Distinguished Service Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, for actions on September 20, 1944 and December 26, 1944.
Abrams was known as an aggressive and successful armor commander. General George Patton said of him: I'm supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer - Abe Abrams. He's the world champion. Frequently the spearhead of the Third Army during World War II, Abrams was one of the leaders in the relief effort that broke up the German entrenchments surrounding Bastogne and the 101st Airborne Division during the Battle of the Bulge.
He was noted for his concern for soldiers, his emphasis on combat readiness, and his insistence on personal integrity. Col. Abrams was also unusual in naming his successive Sherman mounts. In the painting I have shown his second tank an M4A3 with the more effective 76mm gun, showing the distinctive Thunderbolt II artwork. Also of note is the overcast skies and boggy terrain prevalent in the area of Singling during the winter of 1944.
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