Saturday, February 14, 2015

"Donna the Tank" Dedicated in DeKalb Back in 1947

From the October 30, 2012, DeKalb (Il.) Chronicle "Looking Back."

"Donna the Tank" was dedicated on the south side of Lincoln Highway near 4th Street across from McCabe's, a famous student watering hole when we were students.  It was in a small triangular park.  We walked by this tank at its first location many times going to Andy's, especially as alumni.  The main parking lot was south of Lincoln Highway and you had to cross the railroad tracks carefully due to the large number of trains charging through town.

I never knew it was called "Donna the Tank" and don't know why it was called that.  Perhaps it was the name the tank's crew gave it due to its diminutive size.  It certainly wasn't the size of "Fury" in the recent movie of the same name.

It is now at Memorial Park at 1st Street and the Lincoln Highway (Il- Rt 38).

I have been unable to find out anymore about its history, but I would say given the dedication date and the tank's appearance, I would say it was a light tank from World War II.

--Cooter

No comments: