In January 1945, the 761st Tank Battalion, also known as the “Black Panthers,” engaged in brutal fighting to capture the town of Tillet during the Battle of the Bulge. The 761st, composed of African American soldiers, had experienced heavy casualties and lost many tanks in fighting along the German border in November 1944, and by the time they were ordered to move into Tillet they were in desperate need of personnel and equipment.
Tillet is roughly 12 miles west of Bastogne and it was heavily defended by troops and tanks belonging to the Führer Begleit Brigade.
On the 9th of January, Captain Charles A. Gates, leading ten Shermans from C Company, attacked the German defences. During the fighting, numerous American tanks were hit, including the tank belonging to Sergeant Theodore Windsor. But this didn’t stop Windsor for long, as he bailed out of his tank and joined Sergeant William McBurney’s tank.
Together, Windsor and McBurney then wreaked havoc on the Germans, and their tank penetrated deep into enemy territory before finally being knocked out. Windsor and McBurney survived, however, and they endured an epic 3-mile trek through the snow to reach the safety of American lines.
Captain Gates’ tank was also hit, but he managed to continue his attack on foot.
The 761st suffered heavy losses, but by the 9th of January, they managed to capture Tillet. In the process, they had successfully destroyed a German tank and three anti-tank guns whilst also killing dozens of enemy soldiers.
Captain Gates was awarded a Silver Star in recognition of his leadership and conduct during the battle.
Tillet was devastated by the fighting, and the town’s church was destroyed. In 1953, a new church – the église Saint-Ouen – was consecrated, and on the church you will find plaques honouring the sacrifice made by the 761st tank battalion, and the 87th Infantry Division they were attached to, in their liberation of the town.
Story & archive photos from: “Black Panthers in the Snow: The 761st Tank Battalion at the Battle of the Bulge” (National WW2 museum).
(This is a repost from Instagram from January 7th, 2025)