Across the Rhine - Somewhere in Germany 1945

Photos of my uncle Charles in front of the tanks he served in during WW2.  Not really sure where these were taken.  Also not sure why my uncle and one other crew member are wearing the black(?) armbands in the first two photos.

The first couple pics are most likely in training, as they're wearing helmet liners only and not the steel pot. The armbands, perhaps they're umpires for maneuvers? Just a guess.

The tank in the first pics is a Stuart, the bottom is an m-24 chaffee.

I agree the first two shots look like training. They aren't wearing combat uniforms, not to mention tanker uniforms. Also the tank has a flag flying. Not likely something done in a combat zone.

Based on the flag, armbands, and binoculars I'd say they were umpires in wargames. I say binoculars because IIRC it was 1 set issued per tank, and there's 3 shown in one shot.

Steve

Great information on the photos! My uncle passed away about 10 years ago, and I was given the photos at least 25 years ago, so I never really new much about them.

I just noticed that in the first photo, the hull machine gun is missing - something that might have been removed during training exercises perhaps?

Thanks for the feedback.
Thom

Good eye! No idea why they would have pulled the hull gun and not the coax, but whatever the reason for it's removal it is a further indication that it's not a "frontline" photo. The "Bicycle Smashers" (as an old vet called 'em) would not go near the frontline without full armament.

Steve