"The relief of Bastogne is the most brilliant operation we have thus far performed and is in my opinion the outstanding achievement of this war."
- General George S. Patton Jr., January 1945

In early 1944, the United States Army decided that they needed an up-armored version of a medium tank for an assault role for the upcoming operations in the European Theatre of Operations (ETO). However, they had rejected previous plans for such a vehicle, and time was short. As the new T26E1 would not be ready in time and previous designs had been totally unsuitable for the task, the decision was made to modify the standard US Army medium tank of the time, the M4A3 Sherman.

The vehicle became the M4A3E2 assault tank or Sherman Jumbo. With only 254 built, it represented less than 1% of the total build numbers for the M4. However, it's iconic profile left a lasting image that is probably one of the most easily recognized M4 variants. It should be noted at this point that the name 'Jumbo' doesn't appear in any wartime documentation and is almost certainly a post-war nickname, quite possibly created by a model company.

This particular 1:32 scale diecast replica of a US M4A3E2 Sherman Jumbo assault tank that was commanded by Lieutenant Charles Boggess, and nicknamed "Cobra King", which was attached to C Company, 37th Tank Battalion, 4th Armored Division, then breaking the cordon around Bastogne, Belgium, on December 26th, 1944. Comes with bonus Ford GAA V-8 engine. Note: This is part of the new Forces of Valor "Engine Plus" series produced by Waltersons. Fourth in the series! #FOV912136A

Dimensions:
Width: 3-1/2-inches
Length: 7-1/2-inches

Features:
- Diecast metal and plastic construction
- Comes with commander figure
- Vinyl tracks roll along a working suspension
- Elevating gun and rotating turret
- Hatches open and the accessories can be removed
- Sliding breech and rifled gun barrel
- Comes with bonus Ford GAA V-8 engine
- Comes with over-sized display base

Cobra King - First Tank Into Bastogne 1944

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Historical Account: "Nightfall's Cling" - On the morning of December 26th, 1944, as part of a concerted effort to relieve the 101st Airborne ("Screaming Eagles") defending the all-important crossroads town of Bastogne, the 4th Armored Division's ("Breakthrough") Combat Command Reserve (CCR) was ordered by Division HQ to link up with Combat Command B (CCB), which was still fighting for the town of Chaumont in southeast Belgium. Colonel Wendell Blanchard, commander of CCR, called together Lt. Colonel Creighton Abrams of the 37th Tank Battalion, and Lt. Colonel George L. Jaques of the 53rd Armored Infantry Battalion. He told them to attack and seize the village of Chaumont, which was just 3 miles from Bastogne. From there, they were to advance in earnest up the main road, break through the German cordon, and make contact with the beleaguered 101st, which was rapidly running out of ammunition.

After capturing Chaumont, the two commanders initially planned to attack the town of Sibret, but because it was so heavily defended, they instead chose to assault the nearby village of Assenois, which was located on a secondary road but still provided access to Bastogne. With artillery firing in support, the leading element of CCR, comprised of three Shermans followed by a halftrack full of infantry, then two more Shermans, stormed the village. Abrams' tanks blasted their way through the obstacles, while dismounted infantry mopped up the remaining strongpoints. After eliminating several enemy soldiers laying Teller mines along the road, Abrams command linked up with elements of the 101st at 1700 hours. The siege had been lifted and with it came the collapse of Hitler's "Wacht am Rhein" operation.

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