UNITED STATES ARMY
6th TANK DESTROYER GROUP FLAGS & GUIDONS
1944 Regulations
In June 1944 the 6th Tank Destroyer Group was stationed in the United Kingdom; its higher headquarters was the XII Corps of Third United States Army. Its three assigned TD battalions were self-propelled (SP) units equipped with the M10 tank destroyer (3-in gun). Each battalion had three TD companies with 12 M10s for a battalion total of 36. There was also a reconnaissance company equipped with 6 M8 armored cars (37mm gun) and jeeps. Supply, maintenance and administration services were embodied in the battalion headquarters companies.
The US Army's prewar doctrine held that the main mission of tanks was to support the infantry. The mission of combating enemy tanks was given to a newly established Tank Destroyer branch. TD battalions were equipped with either towed or SP anti-tank guns though later most of the towed battalions were converted to SP. The SP tank destroyer was conceived as a fast, lightly armored but well-armed vehicle capable of defeating enemy tanks. Early SP tank destroyers were modified trucks and halftracks but the main models used during the war were fully tracked. The TD group was intended to coordinate the action of three or four TD battalions in the defense or on the attack. However, combat experience revealed that the basic TD concept was flawed. The Germans seldom employed large numbers of tanks in the attack, depriving the TD group headquarters of its rationale. The TD battalions came to be attached to infantry and armored divisions, and they were mainly used to provide fire support for tanks and infantry. The TD group headquarters were assigned to corps and divisions for various purposes; some, for example, became the Combat Command R of armored divisions. Postwar, the Army decided to abolish the TB branch, its groups and battalions being disbanded or reorganized as tank battalions.
The 6th Tank Destroyer Group landed in Normandy at the end of July 1944 and participated in the fight for Brittany as a task force headquarters under VIII Corps, Third Army, with various units attached. Soon afterwards the group's battalions were detached to various divisions; the 628th TD, for instance, was attached to the 5th Armored Division, with which it remained for the duration of the war. The 6th TD Group itself was attached to XIII Corps as its anti-tank section, maintaining liaison with the TD battalions attached to the divisions of the corps.
Distinguishing flags for tank destroyer groups were diagonally divided from upper hoist to lower fly in the Armor branch colors, golden orange over black, with the unit number centered and countercharged. Distinguishing flags were made of wool bunting; dimensions were 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly. The distinguishing flag was always carried or displayed with a National Standard, Service of the same material and dimensions with an additional 2 1/2-inch fringe of knotted yellow silk. The group headquarters company guidon was of the same design as the distinguishing flag; the battalions had black guidons with the TD branch insignia, numerals and letters in golden orange. All guidons were made of cotton or wool bunting; dimensions were 20 inches at the hoist by 27 inches on the fly with a 10-inch fork.
