Of the newly established tank destroyer units, there were also two segregated battalions: The 846th Tank Destroyer Battalion and the 795th Tank Destroyer Battalion. The tank destroyer units were formed as a reaction upon this, with the thought that a concentration of enough anti-tank weapons would manage to stop the advance. The misconception was that the German Blitzkrieg consisted of a massed tank attack. The American tank destroyer were originally intended to stop the German tanks. It did not go without saying that there would be segregated combat units, and even if there would be, then it was the question if they would be employed for their intended task. Due to the then present notions about race and descent, were most African American soldiers were assigned to service- or support units. There were special drinking fountains, houses, and toilets for African Americans. The American society was segregated, which meant that black Americans were separated from white society. This was remarkable, because there were few combat units where black soldiers could serve. As mentioned previously, the unit was made up of only black American soldiers. On Jthe 614th Tank Destroyer Battalion was activated at Camp Carson, Colorado. Source: Gordon McGinnis Papers, AR784, 1, 7, Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. A photograph of Gordon McGinnis, here with the rank of Corporal.
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