#forward observer

An essential component of combined-arms tactics was artillery support from the armored division’s self-propelled field-artillery battalions. This is Lieutenant Ode Odens, a forward observer of the 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion on his tank during 7th Armored Division operations near St. Vith on January 25, 1945. Each tank and armored-infantry battalion had at least one forward observer attached to them during operations.