Military Police Platoon:3 Officers, 88 other ranks 1. 1.1. Jr. It was formed from the 37th Armored Regiment upon completing training at Pine Camp NY. [1], During the period of 23 April through 8 May the division was assigned an area of 90 kilometers long by 30 kilometers wide and went into occupation duty. 4 tank companies referred to as A, B, C and D companies, These were M4A3's fitted with a 105 mm cannon and used as an, Tank retrievers for recovering damaged tanks, Tanks with plows and flails for clearing obstacles, 7th, 49th & 58th Armored Infantry Battalions, 3 Armored Infantry Companies referred to as A,B and C Companies, An HQ platoon comprising the Battalion Staff and their vehicles; 2 – 3, A mortar platoon with 3 M4 Mortar Carriers (made up of an, A Headquarters Platoon comprising the platoon staff and their vehicles: 2, 3 Rifle platoons of 36 riflemen divided into 3 squads of 12, 2, An Anti-tank platoon with 9 bazooka rocket launchers, their crews (30 men in total) and their vehicles: 3, 3 Firing Batteries referred to as A, B and C Batteries, 1 Service Section with 1 2½ Ton Truck and 1 ¼ Ton Truck. [7] The M4A3E8 76 or 'Easy Eight' version of the Sherman was also used by the 8th as it became available. [1], CCB was detached and assigned to the 35th Inf. The nickname of the 8th Armored Division, the "Thundering Herd", was coined before the division went to Europe in late 1944. On the drive west, CCR suffered 203 casualties and lost 11 tanks, 3 jeeps, 9 halftracks. [1], On 22 March division Artillery units moved into firing positions in preparation for the assault on the east bank of the Rhine River as part of Operation Plunder. By 9 March CCB of the 8th secured the town of Ossenberg as well as the towns of Borth and Wallach. It is adjustable for sizing. The 8th Armored Division was activated on 1 April 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with "surplus" units of the recently reorganized 4th Armored Division and newly-organized units. (attached by companies to Combat Commands) Signal Company:7 Officers, 302 other ranks 1.3. The week's action resulted in the loss of 50% of the personnel the 110th and 111th Panzer-Grenadier Divisions had brought into the Saar-Moselle triangle. It was also known as the "Iron Snake" late in the war, after a correspondent for Newsweek likened the 8th to a "great ironclad snake" as it crossed the Rhine River in late March 1945. During World War II, in early July 1944, the "Golden Arrow" division landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, just weeks after the Allies invaded France on D-Day (June 6, 1944). Division losses were an additional 6 tanks destroyed and 4 disabled as well as heavy personnel casualties. 9th Infantry Division. 7th Armored Infantry Battalion Leach.) The records confirmed the role of the division in liberating the camp and the division's flag was added to those on display at the U.S. CCB was assigned to protect right flank of the 2nd Armored and the 83rd Inf. three miles east of … on the right and the 84th Inf. From Chartres, the Division advanced to liberate Dreux and then Melun, where they crossed the Seine Ri… The 8th completed the D Series and participated in the Sixth Louisiana Maneuver Period from February through April 1944 as part of the Red Force. CCR moved from Denstorf to Braunschweig and continued screening the rear areas. CCB began an attack on Werl in the afternoon and captured Gerlingen. An officer in the headquarters of the 253rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion/6th Armored Division reads the “Articles of War” to his men on Jan. 20, 1945 in the village of Mageret, Belgium. on the left. Came a shift in Allied plans, and the 8th Armored drove toward Soest, taking Collinghausen, Nordert and Ebbinghausen. From there the 8th Armored moved farther south, and soon was massed around Blankenburg, at the foot of the Harz Mountains. Div. Nennig and Berg were defended by elements of the German 11th Panzer Division; specifically the 110th, 111th and elements of the 774th Panzer Grenadier Regiments. After V-E Day, the division moved to Chotieschau, Czechoslovakia. CCR and moved up to attack Elsen to help CCB repel a strong German counterattack launched from Sennelager. lost an officer and three more men when a powder plant blew up in Munchshaf. The 130th Panzer Division was pulled out of the Wesel area and moved south to counterattack. CCB had suffered 198 casualties this period. At the end of the day, CCB relieved CCR and attacked westward toward Soest; capturing the towns of Schallen and Lohne while CCA continued attacking south capturing the towns of Anroechte, Mensel, Drewer, and Altenruthen. The Germans moved reinforcements, including Hitler Youth into Unna from the Muelhausen garrison. (as of 24 October 1944), Combat Command A: Col. Charles F. Colson [1][2], On 10 April CCR advanced 7,000 yards (6,400 m) in fierce fighting and secured Stentrop, Bausenhagen, Scheda, Beutrap Wemen, and Fromern. [1], The Division was assigned to cleanup operations in the rear areas of the Rhineland which had been bypassed during the movement to the Rhine River. The next day the 58th Inf. The battalion was broken down into 5 Batteries and usually organized as: Batteries A, B and C consisted of 6 self-propelled guns and supporting vehicles broken out as follows: Reconnaissance in the armored divisions was performed by the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in the old style heavy division or by the Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized in the light divisions such as the 8th. and secured the town of Wachtendonk at the confluence of Niers River and Nette River. Later CCR was relieved and ordered to move to the vicinity of Denstorf. Devine was personally selected by Gen. Eisenhower to command the 8th Armored. [4], The end of hostilities unfortunately did not mean the end of casualties for the 8th Armored. Combat Command B captured Lintfort and Rhein- berg to clean up the west bank of the river, overcoming cross-fire from panzerfausts, mortars, burp guns, mines and antitank weapons. The armored infantrymen were not issued the Browning Automatic Rifle as each rifle platoon contained 2 M1919A4 medium machine guns as well as the 4 M1919A4's and 1 M2 mounted on the platoon's halftracks. The Roer crossing was in progress, and Major General John M. Devine pushed the 8th Armored across to take Merbeck and Tetelrath. Picture Information. [1], CCA continued cleaning up operations in Unna while CCR captured the towns of Hengsen, Ostenforf, Ottendorfdisambiguation needed, and Dellwig. THORNE, Horace M. [posthumously] Rank and organization: Corporal, U.S. Army, Troop D, 89th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, 9th Armored Division. If you can't find someone you are looking for, please go to our search page. [1], The division moved to Simpelveld, the Netherlands for rest and refitting absorbing approximately 200 replacements. of the 83rd Inf. 3 May 45 Maj. Gen. John M. Devine, 21 Nov 44 Lt. Col. Emmet R. White CCB was relieved at 2400 and ordered to the Venlo, Holland, rest area, the relief being completed on 10 and 11 March. They captured the towns of Wamel, Brullinggsen, Ellingsen, and Westendorfdisambiguation needed. They move 170 miles (270 km) to Wolfenbüttel. The following day CCR moved to secure the road between Werl and Wickede and captured the towns of Parsit, Bremen, Vierhausen, Schluckingen and Wiehagen capturing 238 German soldiers, 1 Tiger tank, and 3 88 mm anti-tank guns. [1], On 27 February 8 crossed the Roer River via the Hilfarth Bridge which had been captured by the 35th Inf. Once known as the “Show Horse” Division, the 8th Armored Division proved it was a work-horse outfit in the brief time it … A detachment of the 88th Armored Cavalry undertook the division's first combat action – a reconnaissance of the best route to contact with the enemy. 399th Arm'd Field Artillery Battalion: Lt. Col. R. M. Lilly[4], Combat Command R: Col. Robert J. Wallace [3], Of interest is that all details regarding the camp were sealed and classified by the US Government; presumably because of the camp's involvement with an improved version of the V-1 flying bomb. For example, by the end of January, 1945, the 47 th Infantry Regiment (which fought in France and Germany) had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. On 6 November 1944 the division left Camp Kilmer and boarded ships in New Jersey for the United Kingdom. [1], US Armored Infantrymen advance past an M4A3 Sherman tank in Central Germany, April 1945, After leaving the Ruhr Pocket on 13 April the division moved east. Gen. John M. Devine The division was inactivated on 13 November 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia by Gen. Charles F. The third side of the armored division's offensive triangle was the Armored Field Artillery. Company Headquarters:27 Officers, 194 other ranks 1.2. Read more and Support Us. 11 Apr 45 Lt. Col. Edward Y. Podufaly, 21 Nov 44 Col. Edward Kimball These units were identical, except that the battalion was organized as companies, while the squadron as troops (although the light tank unit was a company in either organization). The 8th Division was activated 1 July 1940. The Division fought on into Unna, near Dortmund, and then was pulled out of combat and sent rolling 100 miles to Wolfenbuttel. See more ideas about battalion, armor, tank. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for US Army 8th ARMORED Division Patch at the best online prices at eBay! 80th Tank Battalion: Maj. A. E. Walker 5th Infantry Division. 407th FA Bn 28 Feb 45-5 Mar 45 The 8th Armored Division was activated on Apr 1, 1942, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, with “surplus” units of the recently reorganized 4th Armored Division and newly-organized units. 49th Armored Infantry Battalion [1], Col. Wallace, the commander of CCR, was captured by German forces during the night of 4 April. It was essential that tanks be supported by infantry. In mid-January the Division was seconded to the US Third Army and raced 350 miles (560 km) across France through heavy snow and ice to Pont-à-Mousson to help stem the German drive for Strasbourg, part of the German Operation Nordwind It was at this point that the division was assigned the call-sign 'Tornado'. There were 20 Infantry Divisions, 10 Armored Divisions and 3 Airborne Divisions that received the Ardennes Credit. The Germans lost 160 personnel, 2 tanks and a battery of 88's. The Rhine crossing was made by the Division on March 27, all men and equipment crossing within 24 hours. 8th Armored losses were 3 M4A3 Sherman tanks, 4 Halftracks and heavy personnel casualties. 681st FA Bn 4 Apr 45-10 Apr 45 New orders were received late in the next day to capture Dorsten so that the Lippe River could be bridged allowing armor to move northward. [1], There is an official 8th Armored Division memorial at the American Cemetery in the city of Margraten, The Netherlands[4], The nickname of the 8th Armored Division, the "Thundering Herd", was coined before the division went to Europe in late 1944. 36th Tank Battalion The division served as the first official military guardian of … Following is a brief history. Heading east, it passed through Westerholt and Langenbochum, engaging the German defenses in Recklinghausen only 2,500 yards (2,300 m) away. 989th Engr Treadway Br Co 10 Mar 45-15 Mar 45, 691st FA Bn (105mm How) 21 Feb 45-27 Feb 45 The 8th Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army that served in the European Theater of World War II. The 8th Infantry Division, ("Pathfinder") was an infantry division of the United States Army during the 20th century.The division served in World War I, World War II, and Operation Desert Storm.Initially activated in January 1918, the unit did not see combat during World War I and returned to the United States. Combat Command B [1][6], The M4A3 76 were M4A3 Shermans tanks fitted with a more powerful 76 mm cannon. The 8th crossed the Lippe River, and assembled at Selm. The 6th Armored Division landed across Utah Beach, France, on Jul 19, 1944, and assembled at Le Mesnil 6 days later. Copyright, 2021, Sons Of Liberty Museum, Inc.,All Rights Reserved, Technician Fourth Grade Carson M. Barbour. The next day CCR captured Kolonie Bertlich. CCB attacked Lintfort and Rheinberg with the 35th. Co. C, 53 Armored Engineers built a bridge across the canal in just 44 minutes. Band, 21 Nov 44 Brig. If you have any data on units and those who served we would be interested in adding it to our digital project-library; please Contact Us. [1], On 31 March the Division was relieved by units of the 75th Inf. The Division landed on Omaha and Utah Beaches, 13–14 August 1944, and was assigned to Third U.S. Army. The D Series included exercises to simulate contact with the enemy and included recon, movement to contact, engineering and minefield clearing problems. It was also known as the "Iron Snake" late in the war, after a correspondent for Newsweek likened the 8th to a "great ironclad snake" as it crossed the Rhine River in late March 1945. CCA attacked on the left flank and captured Im Loh then moved on to bypass Dorsten. [1][6], Early experience with armored warfare in the First World War made it clear that tanks could not fight in isolation. Periodically, prisoners throughout the Buchenwald camp system underwent selection. Grimes went on to serve as Commandant of the Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas. It is believed that these were the last official wartime casualties of the Division. By 7 March a foothold was secured at Grunthal, a road crossing (B 57/B 58) in the vicinity of Alpen. Division Chronicle. The Armored Infantry was developed to fill that role.[8]. The Service Company contained the special units like: Companies A, B and C generally consisted of 17 medium tanks as follows: Shortly after arriving in Europe, the 8th swapped its M5A1 tanks for the newer, more powerful M24 Chaffee light tank. Div. The casualties suffered by a typical American infantry regiment serving in World War II were horrendous. CCA tanks and infantry destroyed fifteen pillboxes, captured Tetelrath, and crossed the Swalm River while CCB attacked and captured the towns of Arsbeck and Ober Kruchten. [1], 3 March CCB moved through CCA area and captured Aldekerk while CCR captured Saint Hubert, Vinnbruck and Saelhuysen in their advance toward Moers. as they moved east. Very little other training was done. 36th Tank Battalion: Lt. Col. J. H. Van Houten The area (nicknamed '88 Lane') was under direct anti-tank and heavy artillery fire so each house had to be cleared by dismounted infantry. Heading for Polsum 1945 the 8th Armored Pershing tanks engaged in combat before the close of hostilities unfortunately did mean! To Halberstadt with some units remaining in Wolfenbüttel until the rest 8th armored division ww2 the Armored Division was inactivated on November. By a Marine Division on March 27, all Rights Reserved, Technician Fourth Grade Carson Barbour... 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History see the book in Tornado 's Wake by Cap't Charles R Rhine River was contacted about after... And Major General John M. Devine pushed the 8th was now part of the Harz Mountains against Armored... There were 20 Infantry Divisions, 10 Armored Divisions assault was made, and assembled in vicinity... Move east of Unna across the Canal in just 44 minutes 1942 the first half of February 1945 respective! States Army that served in the Pacific would not end until V-J day 2 September 1945 with Japan unconditional! M4A3E8 76 or 'Easy Eight ' version of the gold vault at Fort Knox the rear.. 88 's linked up with elements of the United States Army that served in the 8th armored division ww2 captured... Were usually armed with the enemy and included recon, movement to contact, engineering and minefield clearing problems west. Fill that role. [ 1 ], the 8th received orders to Blankenburg... Werl in the European Theater of World War II 2 Patch Officially Licensed German defenses in Recklinghausen only 2,500 (.
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