Spearhead and the Battle of the Bulge (m1911A1 and Equipment)

​When it comes to the Battle of the Bulge, most people (including myself) seem to concentrate on a small number of iconic stories. Whether it is the succinct snarkiness of the famous "NUTS!" response to a surrender demand (and the subsequent rescue of the 101st by Patton's Third Army), the heroic front-line defense by units such as 28th Infantry, or German commandos wearing US uniforms, all of these stories capture the popular imagination and dominate the history books.
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Somewhat lost in these great stories is that, as the new year dawned, the US was ready to punch back and take the initiative from the Germans. On this day, 03 January 1945, the 3rd Armored Division (SPEARHEAD) launched a counter offensive designed to drive southeast, link up with Patton's army, and trap the overextended Germans behind a wall of steel. From the 3rd through the 9th, Spearhead ground eastward, pushing against stout resistance from German rearguard elements determined to slow the American advance. After a brief respite Spearhead resumed the lead on 13 January, battling village-to-village until they were relieved on the 21st for rest and rehabilitation.

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One of the men involved was a tank driver from the 33rd Armored Regiment, Technician 5th Grade (T/5) Val Santhouse. In addition to being one of the countless Americans putting their lives at risk for the goal of a free Europe, he was also eventually to be the father of Sandy McRae, and the grandfather of Allie Krisko. But in 1944, along with the rest of the 33rd, he had come ashore at Normandy in late June and proceeded to help the 3rd Armored Division earn the nickname "Spearhead" by taking part in the violent allied advance into occupied Europe.

As the driver of M4 Sherman variant tanks he was part of a 5 man crew, going toe-to-toe with German infantry, anti-tank guns, and armored vehicles. In a particularly harrowing tale he told of rounding a bend in the roadway, only to be confronted with a pre-sighted 88mm gun staring right back at him. Knowing his gunner couldn't possibly fire first, and not trusting his life to the Sherman's frontal armor (even after they had reinforced it in the field), he slammed the tank into reverse. When the round inevitably struck, it was only a glancing blow that didn't kill the crew or disable the tank. While he didn't say what became of the gun crew, they likely didn't impede his element's progress for much longer.

An attached picture also shows T/5 Santhouse proudly posing in front of his flail tank, an M4 modified with a rotating drum that beat heavy steel chains against the ground. It was known as the "Sherman Crab" to the British and (less imaginatively) as the "Mine Exploder" T3 or T4 to the Americans. While he crewed 9 different vehicles during the war (due to breakdowns, battle damage, or becoming hopelessly stuck in the mud) he remembered the flails as being effective, but not perfect, and that, "The only problem with that is you had to be first to go through a field. The others followed in your tracks, which meant you were a prime target". These vehicles undoubtedly came in handy during the 3AD offensive when they encountered numerous minefields as they began their counteroffensive.

Two pieces of equipment common to all US tankers (besides the swagger that naturally accompanies the armored fighting man) was the M-1938 Tanker Helmet, and the M1911A1 pistol. Instead of providing ballistic protection, the helmet is designed to protect against impacts inside the vehicle. Anyone that has spent time inside an armored vehicle, particularly one in motion, can vouch for the fact that such protection is essential as your head will absolutely go bouncing off the hull, sights, hatches, radios, misc controls, the gun, etc. Similar to early football helmets in design (and actually produced by Rawlings and Wilson Athletic Goods -- amongst others), it features a resin shell and suspension system of felt and leather made to cushion impacts. It also features two ear flaps designed to not only protect the chin, but also to contain the crew intercom, a critical piece of equipment inside a clanky and noisy tank. This particular one is in rough shape, but is representative of what crewmembers would wear when rattling around inside the vehicle (when they were outside the vehicle there were supposed to don standard M1 steel pots). Of note, many tankers taped the top ventilation holes closed during the winter since airflow directly to your scalp wasn't of great benefit in freezing temperatures!
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The M1911a1 was the standard US sidearm of WW2, used alongside earlier M1911s, and carried by each member of the crew as their personal weapon should they have to dismount. While shoulder holsters were often issued for mounted use, it appears that T/5 Santhouse, at least for a time, chose to carry his sidearm in a standard M1916 belt holster like the one pictured. What makes this interesting is that he apparently preferred "cross draw", as it is seen hanging off the front of his left hip. Upon testing in a seated position (AKA currently sitting and typing this sentence so equipped) it appears to be comfortable and practical. The forward facing butt doesn't interfere with the seat, and the weapon can be accessed more quickly in tight confines should the immediate need arise. While this pistol was manufactured while T/5 Santhouse was already overseas (circa 1944 by the Remington-Rand Typewriter company), it is functionally identical to what he and his fellow crewmembers carried on a daily basis, and would have had to resort to in emergencies.