Hello, Jim Lankford, <mailto:JLank54275@aol.com>, a member of the 14th Armored Division Association is seeking veterans who served in the 827th Tank Destroyer Battalion (African American) during World War II. If you are aware of someone, please advise Mr. Lankford. See the text of his message and address below. Thanks, Bennie ******************************************************************* Return-Path: <JLank54275@aol.com> From: JLank54275@aol.com Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 00:11:17 EDT Subject: 827th Tank Destroyer Battalion To: lwf@coax.net Reply-To: JLank54275@aol.com Dear Mr. McRae: Your site is very impressive. I have enjoyed looking through it on several occassions recently. Thank you for making this information available. Currently I am conducting the preliminary research on a little-known, but very important battle that was fought in the northern Alsace. In the Battle of Rittershoffen-Hatten (Jan. 1945) two badly depleted infantry battalions were provided anti-tank support by a small element of the 827th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The 827th was what was then termed a "colored" unit. There is very little mention of the unit in the records of 7th Army, VI Corps, or even the 12th Armored Division, to which the 827th was attached. Unfortunately, as you well know the few black combat units were essentially ignored by the Army historians. The 827th participated in a fierce, hard-fought battle. In order for me to fully understand the historical aspects of the battle, it is imperative for me to know as much as possible about all of the units that took part. My goal is two-fold. Initially, I am slated to co-author an article for possible publication in "Field Artillery" the official journal of the U.S. Army Artillery. Further, it is my intent to publish an in-depth, academic study of the battle. Per force this will entail a comprehensive description and analysis of the part played by each of the units present. I write to you in the hope that you may have heard from some of the veterans of the 827th or their decendants. I would be very grateful if you could share with me any relevant information possible about the units and its veterans. Sincerely, Jim Lankford 5655 W. Cindy St. Chandler, AZ 85226 602-785-2028 -- +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Researching HUBBARD,LANAGHAN,JAMES,MENZEL,HAMROCK,GEARY, My Family Tree http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/1261/family/myfamily.htm Jefferson Co. OH. USGenWeb http://www.geocities.com/heartland/1261 Jefferson CO. OH. OGS site http://www.rootsweb.com/~ohjefogs/