M5A1 Stuart light recon tank of US 9th Army, XIX Corps, 2nd Armor Division, 66th Armor Regiment, Company B, 12th Vehicle during offensive to capture Magdeburg - Germany, April 1945. Magdeburg located on Elbe River is furthermost western advance by US forces in Germany. US forces on Elbe River came under both German and Soviet attacks.
Germans defended western-bound bridgeheads for retreating troops and refugee columns for surrender to Western Allies. While Soviets plummeted US forces with artillery fire on eastern Elbe bank for providing humanitarian assistance to German civilians crossing the river.
By WW2 end, areas captured by US XIX Corps were surrendered to Soviet forces due to secret protocols signed by US President Roosevelt at Feb 1945 Yalta Conference on postwar Germany partition. M5A1 was commanded by Lt. Clearance Wilson, tank nicknamed "Annie B" after his state-side wife. (photo & info link below)
http://UweMilitaria.org/2-Track/M5Annie-B/index.html
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