Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams (UBX32)

Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams (UBX32) with "Thunderbolt VI" and "Thunderbolt VII" includes one M4A3 (76mm) "Thunderbolt VI", one M4A3E8 "Thunderbolt VII", two Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams tank commander figures, one plastic Sherman sprue & decal sheet. Creighton Williams “Abe” Abrams Jr. graduated from West Point in 1936 and joined the 1st Cavalry Division. In 1940 he gained the rank of Captain and took command of a tank company in the newly-formed 1st Armored Division. Leading up to the war, he was given command of the 37th Tank Battalion of the 4th Armored Division. In the prewar months of 1941, Abrams focused on training his men. Even before his men received their first tanks, Abrams had his men take to the training field equipped with imaginary tanks. He instructed that the tank crews must stay together, with an arm on the next comrade’s shoulder, to simulate working together. In this way and others he fostered cooperation and trust between his men. Check out Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams in the online store here...

Blood, Guts, & Glory It’s September 1944 and the Allies have stormed across France all along the front lines from Belgium to the French region of the Lorraine. Blood, Guts, & Glory covers the tanks battles in the Lorraine between September 1944 and January 1945. Learn more about Blood, Guts, & Glory here...

Abrams and the 37th Tank Battalion made landfall in France at Utah Beach in July 1944. During the fighting, Abrams led from the front and expected his staff to do the same. He removed a Sherman tank from each of his companies and gave them to his S-2 (intelligence), S-3 (operations) and liaison officers with orders to take command should company officers fall in combat. During the first battles in the Lorraine, the Americans made very little headway trying to cross the well-defended Moselle River, but there was no stopping Abrams and his tankers. The 37th Tank Battalion sped to Arracourt, deep behind enemy lines where it clashed with the Germans’ own offensive. But Abrams’ aggressive leadership had tipped the balance in the Allies’ favour, earning him a Distinguished Service Cross. After the Lorraine fighting, Abrams’ understrength battalion was assigned to Combat Command R (CCR) to rest and refit, but their break was rudely interrupted by the German offensive in the Ardennes. The 4th Armored packed up and sent its three combat commands north to try and break through to the embattled paratroopers in Bastonge.

Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams and Thunderbolt VII

Thunderbolt VII in Flames Of War
Armour     Name  Mobility  Front Side  Top  Equipment and Notes  Weapon  Range  ROF  Anti-tank  Firepower M4A3E8 "Thunderbolt VII" Standard Tank 8 5 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, AA MG, .50 cal AA MG, Protected ammo, Smooth Ride, Tank telephone, Wide tracks. M1 76mm gun (late) 32"/80cm  2  13 3+  Stabiliser.

After the other combat commands had made some headway toward Bastogne, CCR was called up to make the final push. Like in the Lorraine, Abrams pushed his men hard, drove through the Germans’ line, and met up with the besieged paratroopers on 26 December 1944. For his bold drive, he was awarded another Distinguished Service Cross.

Abrams continued to command the 37th Tank Battalion until he was promoted to Colonel in 1945. Under his leadership the 37th had gained the reputation as being the best tank outfit in the US Army. For his service Abrams was awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Silver Stars, the Legion of Merit, the British Distinguished Service Order, and the French Legion D’Honneur.

After WWII, Abrams went on to command all US forces in Vietnam and was later appointed the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. An avid lover of cigars, Abrams died of lung cancer in 1974. In honour of his legacy as a tanker, the modern M1 Abrams main battle tank was named after him. In a rare fit of humility, General Patton once said, “I’m supposed to be the best tank commander in the Army, but I have one peer—Abe Abrams.”

Abrams’ Thunderbolt During the course of the war, Abrams wore out six tanks. Despite this, he never had one shot out from under him, which was amazing given his habit of leading from the front of his column, standing tall in his turret to get a better view. In fact, Patton once told reporters that if they wanted to interview Abrams, they had better do it now, as Patton didn’t believe Abe would survive the war!

Abrams’ tanks were called Thunderbolt. He put himself in the action, shooting enemy tanks at point-blank ranges and helping out where he could. The men that served in the 37th claim that Thunderbolt had the most kills out of the battalion, however an official tally was never kept. From Normandy through the Lorraine, Abrams was commanding Thunderbolt V, having run down several tanks before even seeing combat! He and his crew were so attached to the old M4 that they had to be ordered to give it up.

Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams and Thunderbolt VI

Thunderbolt VI in Flames Of War
Armour     Name  Mobility  Front Side  Top  Equipment and Notes  Weapon  Range  ROF  Anti-tank  Firepower M4A3 (76mm) "Thunderbolt VI" Standard Tank 7 4 1 Co-ax MG, Hull MG, .50 cal AA MG, Detroit's finest, Protected ammo, Smooth Ride, Tank telephone, Wide tracks. M1 76mm gun (late) 32"/80cm  2  13 3+  Stabiliser.

Next in the Thunderbolt linage was an M4A3 (76mm). Like its predecessor, Abrams and his crew ran Thunderbolt VI into the ground during his famous drive into Bastogne, but it served the men well before giving up the ghost in 1945. For the drive into Germany, Abrams took command of Thunderbolt VII, the last in the series. Abrams customised the basic M4A3E8 model by adding extra armour protection and an extra .30 cal machine-gun on the turret. Thunderbolt VII served Abrams well all of the way to the end of the war. Tanks designed by Evan Allen Modified by James Brown Figure by James Brown Painted by James Brown

Characteristics Lieutenant Colonel Creighton Abrams is a Warrior and Higher Command Tank Team rated Fearless Veteran. He is mounted in one of his “Thunderbolt” tanks as follows:
M4 Sherman “Thunderbolt V” 155 points M4A3 (76mm) Sherman “Thunderbolt VI” 210 points M4A3E8 Sherman “Thunderbolt VII” 260 points

Special Rules That’s The Shortest Way Home! Under the aggressive direction of General John Wood (4th Armored Division commander), Colonel Bruce Clarke (CCA commander), and Lieutenant Colonel Abrams (37th Tank Battalion commander), the Americans liberated Arracourt with lightning speed. A force led by Abrams may make Spearhead moves (see page 261 of the rulebook) with up to two of your platoons at the beginning of the game.

Up Front Abrams took a tank out of each company and gave one to his S-2 (intelligence), S-3 (operations) and liaison officers. They, like him, were expected to lead from the front and take over in the event the junior officers were M4 Sherman “Thunderbolt V” 155 points wounded or killed. Combat and Weapons platoons in a force led by Abrams use the German Mission Tactics special rule (see page 242 of the rulebook).

We’re Going In Down to a mere 20 tanks and just five miles from Bastonge, Abrams sent a message to Patton: “will you authorize a  big risk with Combat Command R for a breakthrough to Bastonge?” Patton’s reply was instant. “I sure as hell will!” A platoon led by Abrams may use the German Stormtroopers special rule (see page 241 of the rulebook).

Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams in Thunderbolt VI and Thunderbolt VII

The Contents of the Lt. Col. Creighton Abrams Box Set

Contact the customer service team at customerservice@battlefront.co.nz if you have any issues with any of the components.

Description of Components

a. 1x Hatch sprue. b. 1x Lt. Col. Abrams tank commander figure. c. 1x .50 cal AA MG. d. 1x .30 cal AA MG. e. 1x hull MG.	f. 1x Right track. g. 1x Left track. h. 1x 76mm gun barrel. i. 1x Thunderbolt VII resin turret. j. 1x Thunderbolt VII resin hull.
Description of Components
a. 1x Thunderbolt VI resin turret. b. 1x Thunderbolt VI resin hull. c. 1x Lt. Col. Abrams tank commander figure.	d. 1x hull MG. e. 1x Plastic Sherman sprue.

Added Extras Also included with Lt. Col. Abrams and Thunderbolt VI and VII are four rare-earth magnets and decal sheet for Thunderbolt VI and VII as well as Thunderbolt V (M4 Sherman). Right: The rare-earth magnets. Far right: The decal sheet for Thunderbolt V, VI & VII.

Assembling Thunderbolt VII

Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of Thunderbolt VII. Note: Each track has a number of lugs on the back that corresponds with the recesses in the hull to aid in correct orientation.
Below: The correct alignment for the left-hand side track.	Below: The correct alignment for the right-hand side track.	Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.

Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.	Step 2. Next, attach the hull MG.	Step 3. Followed by the 76mm main gun.

Step 4. Other fixtures on the turret include the loader's hatch.	Step 5. The .30 cal AA MG.	Step 6. And the .50 cal AA MG.	Step 7. Finally, fix  Abrams into position.	Step 8. With Abrams in place, Thunderbolt VII is now ready for painting.

Evan has created a recess for a rare-earth magnet in the hull of both Thunderbolt VI and VII. Left: Simply glue a rare earth magent to the bottom of the turret and you have a safe and secure way of attaching the turret to the hull.  Far left: The magnet recess complete with magnet. Read Chris' guide to Rare Earth Magnets here...

The Plastic Sherman Sprue The parts of the plastic Sherman sprue that are used when assembling Thunderbolt VI are highlighted in green. Right: The highlighted parts of the plastic Sherman sprue used in the construction of Thunderbolt VI.

Assembling Thunderbolt VI

Step 1. Begin assembly by attaching the tracks to the hull of Thunderbolt VI. Note: Each track has a number of lugs on the back that corresponds with the recesses in the hull to aid in correct orientation.

Below: The correct alignment for the left-hand side track.	Below: The correct alignment for the right-hand side track.	Below: The left-hand side track attached to the hull.

Below: The right-hand side track attached to the hull.	Step 2. To add the hull MG, snip off the ball mount using a pair of hobby cutters.

Step 3. Attach the hull MG to the hull.	Step 4. Next, add the 76mm main gun.	Step 5. Attach the loader's hatch to the top of the turret.

Step 6. Next, add the .50 cal AA MG.	Step 7. Finally, add Abrams to the commander's hatch.	Step 8. With Abrams in place, Thunderbolt VII is now ready for painting.

Last Updated On Monday, January 01, 0001 by Blake at Battlefront