WW2 US Army and captured Tanks.

[GtoRA2]

Guys.
Anyone know if the US Army ever used captured tanks?

The panzer 4 was no better then the sherman for the most part but the Tiger and Panther where both far better.

Did we ever take captured tanks and use them on the germans?

if so Why not?

How hard would ammo be to get?

[TWOLF]

Yes it did happen.  But it was Very Frowned upon for 2 reasons.  The first being that it was almost impossible for Air Assets to determine that it wasn't Germans operating the Vehicle.  So it caused friendly casualties.  The Second was due to the anything not allied is Bad philosophy.  Germans hid some nasty presents in much of their abandoned gear.  But to answer your question, it did happen.

[GtoRA2]

I thought about the air power thing.

hmm that would be bad.

Can you give me any sources for info on this?

[gofaster]

I would imagine the profile of a Panzer at twilight wouldn't exactly motivate Allied soldiers to push forward, even if there was a US crew at the controls.

[GtoRA2]

Prolly true,  think of being a poor sherman crew inside a Tiger, and how much safer they would feel?

[GRUNHERZ]

The British used a few captured Panthers here and there even pained them green , the Russians offcialy issued Panthers as incentives to outstanding crews and I know the US Army comandeered at least one Tiger II for some purpose.

[whgates3]

they used them in "Kelly's Heroes"

[TWOLF]

http://wio.boom.ru/tank/ww2tank.htm

Here are some photo's of Russians using German tanks....will edit once I find some American examples.

[Dowding]

they used them in "Kelly's Heroes"

Are you sure? Oddball's Shermans are... well, Shermans and the Tigers are Yugoslavian T-34s with lots of plywood on them. They did a good job, but you can tell by the tracks.

[GtoRA2]

I think he means the end when they trade gold for the Tiger.

[Dowding]

Oh yeah. I see what he's saying. But weren't they on their way to Switzerland?

[Staga]

Somewhere was a nice pic of U.S troops travelling on the hull of the StuG.