Tanks for the memories

Posted By Thomas E. Ricks Tuesday, February 22, 2011 - 6:56 AM Share

I spent most of last week at the Army's archives up in Carlisle, Pennsylvania. On Thursday it was warm and sunny so I took a break and walked the mile-long "heritage trail" outside the archives.

It was fun, if you're into military history. They've built a series of replicas -- a redoubt from Yorktown, a mini firebase from Vietnam, a bit of World War I trenching. Also, they have on display a variety of old Army weaponry -- a Cobra gunship, a World War II tank destroyer, and some tanks. Plus, for some reason, lots of small artillery pieces. No Abrams tanks, Bradleys, Strykers, or MRAPs as of yet. I think they should also get a Humvee, for me the characteristic U.S. military vehicle of the 1990s. I'll long remember that combination of the smell of dust and radio.

Anyway, it would make a perfect rest stop for anyone driving this summer on Interstate 81 or the Pennsylvania Turnpike with a minivan bursting with boys and dogs. (Which reminds me of my parents back in the 1950s putting my one of my older brothers out of the station wagon and making him trot along behind the station wagon to work off some of that excess boy energy.)

EXPLORE:HISTORY, MILITARY
 

STEVE SAIDEMAN

12:43 PM ET

February 22, 2011

The Modern kids and army

Tom,
Just a gentle reminder that more than a few girls would enjoy romping around the history of the army, too. The US military is chock full of such folks. Time to update from your experiences.

 

SOLDIERSDIARY

2:24 PM ET

February 22, 2011

ABC Brewing

then head to the ABC brewing company...a couple exits down in Harrisburg across the river; it's either that, the Gingerbreadman, or the Market Cross Pub.
Hunter, you will soon learn all the ins and outs of Carlisle...

@Tom, give us a travelocity review of things to do and places to eat in Carlisle

 

GOLD STAR FATHER

3:18 PM ET

February 22, 2011

Brew Pubs!!

When's the rendezvous Hunter?

 

HUNTER

8:40 PM ET

February 22, 2011

Slow down

I haven't even packed my bags yet. Give me until about Aug. Should be long enough for me to ferret out the good places.

Me I like a good hefeweizen. But I hear the Yuengling place isn't far and they do a decent beer. (Yes GSF I know you want mead)

 

WHISKEYPAPA

8:50 AM ET

February 23, 2011

Sherman Tanks

People may or may not know today that the Sherman tank was not very good in a number of important areas. The armor was thin,and the 75mm gun lacked punch. It's development remained a generation behind German and Soviet tanks. Of course in WWII, the generations came upon each other pretty fast.

Army doctrine was crappy. Tanks were to exploit breaches in the enemy lines created by the Infantry. Tank on Tank combat was not encouraged or expected. The tank destroyers were supposed to deal with concentrations of enemy armor.

All that doctrine was tossed after the war.

The Sherman probably had its best moment in the Golan in 1973 where a brigade of Super Shermans dealt very well with a Syrian attack even though badly outnumbered.

Walt

 

HUNTER

1:59 PM ET

February 23, 2011

More on Sherman

The frightening implication is that we won with swarms of Sherman's against the superior German tanks. And while I loves me some Abrams M1A2 SEPs they are the superior equivalent of the German Tigers of their day.

There is always a dangerous swarm of inferior tanks or fighters ready and willing to take down the outnumbered uber-tanks and warfighters.

 

Thomas E. Ricks covered the U.S. military for the Washington Post from 2000 through 2008.

Read More