Thursday, February 11, 2016

G.I. Combat #147

G.I. Combat #147 (On Sale: February 11, 1971), has a cover by Joe Kubert.

we begin with the Haunted Tank in "Rebel Tank" by Robert Kanigher and Russ Heath. After his old commanding officer dies in combat, Jeb Stuart is reassigned to the command of Major Bragg. The major is offended that a Yankee has been given the name of a confederate general, so he orders Jeb to sit out of combat and make supply runs instead. The crew of the Haunted Tank complies, but after a while, they want to get back in the fight.

Eventually, Jeb disobeys orders and sends the Haunted Tank to Mount Abruzzi, where Major Bragg has launched an offensive. Jeb finds Bragg's tank and the others destroyed, Bragg orders Jeb to retreat, but once again he disobeys orders and attacks the Nazi position. By guiding the small tank along a mountain goat trail, the Haunted Tank is able to surprise the Nazis from behind and deliver the knock-out blow to their installation. Reprinted in Showcase Presents: Haunted Tank Vol. 2 TPB (2008).

Next, we have "Sniper's Roost" by Bob Haney and Mort Drucker and reprinted from All American Men of War #71 (1959). The story of a Nazi sniper, called "The Hawk" and how he looks at his targets as toys or insects until one gets far too close. Really wonderful artwork by MAD's Mort Drucker.

That is followed by "Tin Pot Listening Post" by Bob Haney and Jerry Grandenetti and reprinted from All American Men of War #70 (1959). A young recruit is sent into the jungle to be the forward listening post for his outfit. He is so jumpy he mistakes insects, monkeys, and birds for the enemy but each such mistake brings out a real enemy that the young recruit takes care of himself.

Next up is "Broomstick Pilot" by France Herron and John Severin and reprinted from Our Army at War #69 (1958). A young co-pilot on his way to bomb a Nazi submarine pen is startled when the pilot leaves formation and drops low to the ground to avoid enemy aircraft. The pilot says they are now "broomstick pilots" as they fly on at 100 feet, running enemy planes into tension wires and poles, dodging the fire of tanks and ground artillery. They take out the submarine pen then head back home hugging the ground all the way. 

Our next tale is "Battle Window" by Robert Kanigher, Ross Andru, and MikeEsposito and reprinted from All-American Men of War #36 (1956). New recruit Terry was a window washer before the war and everything in the war reminds him of the windows he hates.

This issue ends with "Target for an Ammo Boy" by Robert Kanigher and Joe Kubert and reprinted from All American Men of War #71 (1959). On a Pacific island, a recruit tags along with T.K., known by the men as Tank Killer. Everywhere they look, they find hidden tanks.

Edited by Joe Kubert.

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