World War II Tank in Plzeň

May 6, 2011

World War II M-4 Sherman tank in Pilsen's ZOO.

Lord Mayor of Pilsen Martin Baxa, U.S. Ambassador Norman L. Eisen, Gen. Patton’s grandson George Patton Waters, World War II veterans and other respectable guests unveiled M-4 Sherman tank of American production. The tank is placed at the Plzeň Zoological and Botanic Garden, close to a place where German command bunkers were located at the end of World War II, and will stand as a memorial to the Soldiers from the U.S. Army who came to Pilsen, fought and defeated the Nazis on the last days of World War II, May 5-6, 1945.

Almost exactly 66 years to the day, an M-4 Sherman tank -- much like the one commanded by Col. Charles Noble from Combat Command B, 3rd Army -- was delivered to Pilsen thanks to the combined efforts of the U.S. Army, the city of Pilsen, the Czech Republic, U.S. Embassy in Prague, Czech Military History Institute and George Patton Waters, who donated the money to assist in the restoration of the tank.

Watch the photo gallery of the M-4 Sherman tank delivery to Pilsen