636th Tank Destroyer unit History

[36-tex]

This is a great little book covering the actions of the 636th TD unit. I had the chance to meet some of these veterans in 2000. Had a couple tell me about the day they captured Goering. I have no idea if this book is still available. I got my copy from the author (signed!).

[disneydave]

I interviewed Lester Legget, he helped arrest Goering at Fischorn Castle and gave me a great firsthand account of what the situation was like.

 

Legget began his military career with the Texas National Guard in 1940, eventually earning his Sergeant’s stripes as a member of the 36th Infantry Division 636th Tank Destroyer Battalion’s Reconnaissance Company.

 

Leggett saw action on the beaches of Salerno, the Bernhard Line at San Pietro, the Gustav Line at the Rapido River, and Cassino, before going ashore two days after the assault at Anzio.

 

Leggett’s platoon later stormed the beaches near Nice in Southern France in operation Dragoon. Elements of the 36th charged 300 miles through France in just 26 days, crossed the Rhine and Danube Rivers, and then fought their way into Northern Austria, where they were stationed when the war ended.

 

Along the way Leggett was wounded by shell fragments, buzzed by a pair of German ME-109s in farm country, ran headlong into a German convoy in woods, and tumbled down a steep mountain embankment when the road gave way under his jeep.

[JBFloyd]

My wife's uncle, Harold Stabile, was in the Recon Company of the 636th. I gave him a copy of the book for Christmas a number of years ago. He was surprised to find himself mentioned. Over the years, he had told his family that he was a "truck driver". They knew he's been in North Africa, Italy, France and Germany, but had no clue about what his "truck" had been doing until they read this book.

 

Among the things his sons disposed of after his death was a snapshot of Harold standing next to Goering after his surrender. He always maintained that his company had been selected for perimeter secirity at that event because they had neck ties.

 

The book is not written by an historian, but by a participant, so there are weaknesses, but I found it handy for the grunt's-eye view of what was happening.

[johnnyrocket]

I've seen the book on ebay many times. My dad was in this Battalion during WWII.

 

Johnny R.

[ustpatcher1a]

My wife's uncle, Harold Stabile, was in the Recon Company of the 636th.....Among the things his sons disposed of after his death was a snapshot of Harold standing next to Goering after his surrender. He always maintained that his company had been selected for perimeter secirity at that event because they had neck ties.

 

The book is not written by an historian, but by a participant, so there are weaknesses, but I found it handy for the grunt's-eye view of what was happening.

 

 

 

LMAO...so typical and true.

[Longhorn92]

Leggett wrote a book too, which I believe was published after he passed away. I have it but it's in the book queue; I have not gotten to it. It's called "From the Riviera to Zell am See."

[ustpatcher1a]

Sounds like my kind of page-turner book. My dad was in the 36th Texas ID in regular canon anti-tank regiment. I'll check online book stores for this.

[Squad leader]

I havea copy of this book ; excellent reading. It contains a detailed roster of men of the 636th TD bat.

 

Dan.

[sabissot]

I'd like to get a copy of this book. My Great Uncle James F. Etienne served in the 636th TD Battalion (Company A). I'm hoping the book has information on where he might have been when he was killed in action on Feb 9, 1945. The After Action reports available online only go through Dec 1944, so I' not able to find out exactly where company A was at the time of his death. I'm wondering if someone who owns this book can check and see if he is mentioned in there. Also, does anyone know where you can purchase this book?

[Jeeper704]

Around that time, they were supporting the Infantry attacks across the Moder River (to counter the German Operation Nordwind).

 

Erwin