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The American M8 was equipped with a 37mm gun and 6X6 wheel drive and was the main recon vehicle used by the US military during WWII. The only positive thing the crews had to say about the vehicle was it was reliable and fast on roads. It performed poorly off road, was very lightly armored with only sheet metal for a floor. It had an open top with no periscopes and exposed the crew to weather and enemy fire. Over 8,500 were manufactured in 1942 – 1943.

The 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment can trace its roots back to the 2nd Regiment of Dragoons formed on May 23, 1836. The Group took part in the first armored car experiments in 1936. In 1944 the 2nd Cavalry Group, Mechanized was part of the Regiment that landed in Normandy in July 1944 and was assigned to General Patton's 3rd Army. Because of their ability to seemingly appear and disappear behind German lines the Regiment was referred to by the Germans as "Ghosts of Patton's Army". Thanks to a recon by a 2nd Cavalry Company the Regiment was prepared and able to hold the key city of Luneville while inflicting heavy damage to the German war machine. The 2nd Cavalry was part of Patton's 3rd Army during the Battle of the Bulge at Bastogne. When Germany surrendered the 2nd Cavalry had driven well into Czechoslavakia.