Staff Sergeant Lafeyette G. Pool

Kyt · 13-07-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

In 80 days he and his crew destroyed 258 German vehicles, captured 250 German soldiers, and killed an estimated over 1000 German soldiers.

Surprisingly little info on the web about this bloke (apart from repeating the above statement). Does anybody have more details?

von Poop · 13-07-2007, 01:18 PM

Intrigues me too, we touched on the story here:
http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/battle-specifics/6768-wittman-tactics.html?highlight=lafayette#post92517

I stick by my thoughts that the story falls by the wayside as he was on the 'right' side. No Silly-Bugger-Goebbels to big him up as part of the superman cult.
There's even been some 'internetishness' that he didn't exist.

It's not very clear but the links on the top left of the 3ad page ('yank magazine etc.') kyt posted take you to more info.

This has a few more photographs:
The FReeper Foxhole Revisits and Remembers S/Sgt. Lafayette Pool, The Tanker Legend - April 4th,2007

Owen · 13-07-2007, 02:07 PM

Sshhh, we can't have an M4 Sherman commander doing THAT to the Germans.
After all Shermans brewed up everytime a German tank back-fired.
This chap doesn't fit in with the "victims in crap tanks" mindset that alot of people have about Allied tank crews.

Kyt · 13-07-2007, 04:11 PM

Interestingly, there seems to be no breakdown of types of vehicles (how many tanks out of the 250+?). Or have I missed it somewhere?

von Poop · 13-07-2007, 04:51 PM

There's a rough one somewhere, majority naturally were softskin and light armour if I recall right.
I'll have a shufti.

Kyt · 13-07-2007, 05:41 PM

Cheers VP. Would be interesting to see whether he really merits comparisons with Whittman (or any other tank killer).

von Poop · 13-07-2007, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyt

Cheers VP. Would be interesting to see whether he really merits comparisons with Whittman (or any other tank killer).

There is a conflict there though, the only possible comparison would be on a time/kills basis, these blokes that went in from '44 onwards had a lot less time to rack up kills compared to German 'aces' who had spent so long popping (eg.) BT-5's from half a mile away in the earlier parts of the conflict.
I just don't like direct comparisons too much, so many variable and arguable factors that the apples and oranges end up all over the floor.

Kyt · 13-07-2007, 06:24 PM

Very valid point, VP. Something to bear in mind if we do start comparing various tank 'aces' - timescale, opponent, nationality, verifiability of claims, etc. It's something we do in the aviation field, but I keep forgetting that the same criteria applies to you 'tin tub' fanciers.

13-07-2007, 01:18 PM	#2 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,473	Intrigues me too, we touched on the story here: http://www.ww2talk.com/forum/battle-specifics/6768-wittman-tactics.html?highlight=lafayette#post92517 I stick by my thoughts that the story falls by the wayside as he was on the 'right' side. No Silly-Bugger-Goebbels to big him up as part of the superman cult. There's even been some 'internetishness' that he didn't exist. It's not very clear but the links on the top left of the 3ad page ('yank magazine etc.') kyt posted take you to more info. This has a few more photographs: The FReeper Foxhole Revisits and Remembers S/Sgt. Lafayette Pool, The Tanker Legend - April 4th,2007 __________________ It's only the Internet.

13-07-2007, 02:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Owen Top Moose Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Under the stairs Posts: 9,464	Sshhh, we can't have an M4 Sherman commander doing THAT to the Germans. After all Shermans brewed up everytime a German tank back-fired. This chap doesn't fit in with the "victims in crap tanks" mindset that alot of people have about Allied tank crews. Last edited by Owen; 13-07-2007 at 02:09 PM.

13-07-2007, 04:11 PM	#4 (permalink)
Kyt Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,968	Interestingly, there seems to be no breakdown of types of vehicles (how many tanks out of the 250+?). Or have I missed it somewhere? __________________ _______________________________________ Squadron Leader Pujji - Audio Interviews (half way down the page)

13-07-2007, 04:51 PM	#5 (permalink)
von Poop I Like Tanks Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Perfidious Albion. Posts: 8,473	There's a rough one somewhere, majority naturally were softskin and light armour if I recall right. I'll have a shufti. __________________ It's only the Internet.

13-07-2007, 05:41 PM	#6 (permalink)
Kyt Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,968	Cheers VP. Would be interesting to see whether he really merits comparisons with Whittman (or any other tank killer). __________________ _______________________________________ Squadron Leader Pujji - Audio Interviews (half way down the page)

13-07-2007, 06:24 PM	#8 (permalink)
Kyt Very Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,968	Very valid point, VP. Something to bear in mind if we do start comparing various tank 'aces' - timescale, opponent, nationality, verifiability of claims, etc. It's something we do in the aviation field, but I keep forgetting that the same criteria applies to you 'tin tub' fanciers. __________________ _______________________________________ Squadron Leader Pujji - Audio Interviews (half way down the page)

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