When Tanks Rolled Through: Smith, Wilson and Rutherford Counties WWII Story

Jul 03, 2024 at 12:27 pm by WGNS News



 

In this episode, host Chip Walters is joined by special guest Tressa Bush to take a fascinating journey back in time to an era when it wasn't uncommon to wake up and see a U.S. soldier resting on your front lawn. They explore the period during WWII when military tanks were tested in the greater Middle Tennessee area before being shipped overseas.

From 1941 to 1944, as many as 850,000 soldiers in the U.S. Army participated in these maneuvers in Rutherford, Wilson and Smith Counties, just to name a few, which were all key locations for this training. The area's diverse landscape, filled with hills, rocks, and agricultural fields, made it an ideal testing ground.

Listen as Tressa Bush paints a vivid picture of life in places like Rutherford County , Wilson County and Smith County during this pivotal time in history, sharing stories and insights that bring the past to life. Join Chip and Tressa for a captivating episode that turns back the clock and reveals the hidden military history of Middle Tennessee. Listen to the full interview above! 

 

 

 

 

Tags: 1941-1944 Carthage Chip Walters Lebanon Middle Tennessee military history military maneuvers Murfreesboro news podcast Rutherford County Smith County soldiers tanks Tennessee TN Tressa Bush US ARMY Wilson County World War II WWII
Sections: Roundtable from WGNS