Sherman "Border Belle"?

[Proud Kraut]

I found this colorized shot of a civilian worker (maybe a Labor Service member?) in front of a Sherman monument recently.

The tank's nickname is half-hidden by the person but I think it could very well be "Border Belle". Searching the internet I came across a Sherman named "Border Belle" that was used as a monument by 11th Cav in Downs Barracks / Germany / Fulda.

 

http://www.usarmygermany.com/Communities/Fulda/Partials_Downs%20Bks.htm

 

My photo was probably taken in the 1950's. The man is wearing an OD duster with what apperas to be some kind of pocket patch. Enlarging the picture I think it could very well be a Quartermaster insignia what would make sense for a LSU member.

 

Would be great to know when and where this shot was taken. Is "Border Belle" the right nickname? Could the tank on my photo be the same as the Fulda "Border Belle" with different painting? I know that these monument tanks were painted periodically. Thanks in advance for your help!

 

 

[Major Z]

Looks like a QM patch of some type to me too. I've never seen anything like it and that's all that I collect. Thanks for sharing!

[Bob Hudson]

Notice the "registration" number: 12345678 ----

 

Someone said it disappeared over the years: http://www.rcuniverse.com/forum/rc-tanks-369/10905686-sherman-pic.html

 

[Proud Kraut]

Great infos! So Border Belle was displayed from the 1950's to at least 1972 when the 14th ACR was reflagged as 11th ACR in Fulda. Here's another pic:

 

http://www.cats4x4.com/14thhq&hq.htm

 

Seems that the painting was later modified by adding the coat of army of the 14th and 11th ACR etc. Would be nice to know if the place/base of BB in my pic was the same as the one depicted in the last (14th) picture.

[John Pfannenstein]

Interesting!

 

I grew up in Regensburg, Germany.

 

We has a lot of interesting talks on Fort Skelly. I have always wondered where they went?

 

John