275th Armd FA Bn 27 Mar 45-31 Mar 45 Signal Company:7 Officers, 302 other ranks 1.3. World War II in the Pacific would not end until V-J Day 2 September 1945 with Japan's unconditional surrender. [1], The same day the US 9th Armored Division captured a bridge over the Rhine at Remagen. Days in Combat 63, Headquarters Company 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. During this period the Division became the first US or British unit to uncover the existence of the secret Werwolf organization when several cleverly camouflaged bunkers were discovered, each containing 12 to 15 fully equipped German soldiers. This was the last major battle waged by the 8th Armored Division. The 8th supported the 94th Infantry Division's attack on Nennig, Berg and Sinz, 19–28 January 1945 aimed at reducing the salient between the Saar and Moselle Rivers.[1]. 58th Armored Infantry Battalion The 8th liberated Halberstadt-Zwieberge, a subcamp of the Buchenwald concentration camp, between 12 and 17 April 1945 during its drive through central Germany. [1], At the end of 3 April the division was relieved by the 83rd Inf. They captured the towns of Wamel, Brullinggsen, Ellingsen, and Westendorfdisambiguation needed. 8th Infantry Division in World War II ... critical bridgehead over the Ay River so that armored divisions could launch a breakout and then attack into Brittany and Northern France. In 1997, the information was declassified through the efforts of a former 8th Armored Division officer, Dr. Bernard Metrick. [1], From 8 May through 30 May the Division remained on occupation duty and continued to clean up stragglers and small pockets of resistance. Crew-served weapon crewmen were usually armed with the M1911A1 pistol or the M1 Carbine as a personal weapon. Order of Battle - WWII - ETO; 8th ARMORED DIVISION; Return to Table of Contents "Thundering Herd" The mixture of insignia and distinctive colors of several arms incorporated in the Armored Force symbolize integrity and esprit. Holocaust Museum honoring those who liberated the death camps. The nickname of the 8th Armored Division, the "Thundering Herd", was coined before the division went to Europe in late 1944. Headquarters Company:14 Officers, 159 other ranks 1.1. and secured the town of Wachtendonk at the confluence of Niers River and Nette River. 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. 8th Armored Division in World War II. CCB captured Werl by late afternoon after heavy resistance during the day. Leach.) CCB moved to Westerhausen and CCR moved to Aspenstedt to clear the remaining woods around Blankenburg. The Rhine crossing was made by the Division on March 27, all men and equipment crossing within 24 hours. 11 Apr 45 Lt. Col. Edwin H. Burba, 21 Nov 44 Col. Robert J. Wallace Colson. Plunging past Dorsten, the 8th Armored fought through Polsum, Kirchellen, Zweckel, Buer Massel and Kol Berlich, grinding down compressed German opposition. On 14 April the remaining units of the Division began moving to an assembly area in the vicinity of Braunschweig with CCA going to Wolfenbüttel and CCR going to Denstorf. 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! The Germans moved reinforcements, including Hitler Youth into Unna from the Muelhausen garrison. [1], US Infantrymen undergoing rifle instruction, During December 1943, the division participated in the famed D Series of exercises in Texas. They went overseas on 5 December 1943 where they trained in Ireland for the Invasion of Europe.. Co. C, 53 Armored Engineers built a bridge across the canal in just 44 minutes. The D Series were small scale maneuver problems designed as a precursor to the full scale Sixth Louisiana Maneuver Period. [7] The M4A3E8 76 or 'Easy Eight' version of the Sherman was also used by the 8th as it became available. 9th Infantry Division. 8th Armored losses were 3 M4A3 Sherman tanks, 4 Halftracks and heavy personnel casualties. CCR and moved up to attack Elsen to help CCB repel a strong German counterattack launched from Sennelager. Also included are units of the 8th and 9th Army Air Forces. [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. The division, finding the enemy already halted and beginning to fall back, took part in the Third Army drive against the Moselle-Saar salient. Military Police Platoon:3 Officers, 88 other ranks 1. The ships arrived in Southampton on 18 November and the division moved to Tidworth Barracks, joining the newly formed US Fifteenth Army. 681st FA Bn 4 Apr 45-10 Apr 45 (For a detailed history see the book In Tornado's Wake by Cap't Charles R. A brief History of the 8th Armored Division "Thundering Herd" The 8th Armored Division was activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on 1 Apr 1942. It would have been in the fight against the Wehrmacht much sooner had it not been so valuable as a training division. The German drive for Strasbourg brought a rush call for armor, and the division moved across France in the midst of a blizzard, skidding into Pont-à-Mousson three days and 350 miles later, only to find that the enemy thrust had been halted. US Soldiers in the Netherlands, January 1945, showing the conditions men of the 8th had to contend with in their march across France and the Low Countries. Free shipping for many products! These photos are (with a few exceptions) from the period 1943 to 1945. 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. Mar 13, 2018 - The 8th Tank Battalion was one of three tank battalions in the US Fourth Armored Division. New Apr 2020 "814th Tank Destroyer Battalion: December 1944: (Attached to 7th Armored Division) Combat Interviews, After Action Report, Morning Reports" by Wesley Johnston.Maj. The city fell on 18 August. The German forces lost 6 Mark V Panther tanks, 4 20 mm guns, 1 large railroad gun, and 3 tons of small arms. [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. 7th Armored Infantry Battalion: Lt. Col. A. D. Poinier [1], The division moved to Simpelveld, the Netherlands for rest and refitting absorbing approximately 200 replacements. on the left. The 8th Armored Division was activated on 1 April 1942, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to serve this purpose. 473rd AAA AW (SP) Battalion 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. It was activated as a combat division and arrived in the United Kingdom in November 1944. On 24 March 18 Tank Bn of the 8th Armored Division was ferried across in support of the 30th Infantry prior to the Division's crossing. Div. The nickname of the 8th Armored Division, the "Thundering Herd," was coined before the division went to Europe in late 1944. The Twelfth Army Group was tasked with reducing the pocket. Buchenwald administered at least 87 subcamps located across Germany, from Düsseldorf in the Rhineland to the border with the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia in the east. New Books on 7AD in the Bulge. The primary striking force of the Armored Division was the tank. [1], CCR crossed the Rappholtz-Muhlen Canal on 30 March and captured Buer-Hassel. This would allow German forces to briefly cut off the US 2nd Armored. See more ideas about armor, ww2 photos, ww2 tanks. In September 1943 the division completed reorganization from the old style triangular division to the new 'light' armored division, as per War Department Letter AG-322, in preparation for activation as a combat unit. He had been in combat continuously from D-Day plus 2 (8 June 1944) when he landed at Normandy as artillery commander of the 90th Infantry Division. CCA headed for the town of Wegberg. Div. Very little other training was done. Combat Command A CCA attacked on the left flank and captured Im Loh then moved on to bypass Dorsten. On 19 February the division moved to Roermond, the Netherlands to relieve the British 7th Armoured Division in the vicinity of Echt and launched a diversionary attack as part of Operation Grenade, pushing the enemy north of the Heide woods and east of the Roer River. View some pictures of recent Exhibits. Before it sailed for overseas on Election Day, 1944, the “Iron Snake,” as it is now known, trained more than 50,000 officers and men, who were shipped abroad to fill gaps in eight other armored divisions. 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. 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. The Story of the 8th Armored Division (WWII unit history booklet, 1945), https://military.wikia.org/wiki/8th_Armored_Division_(United_States)?oldid=4685444. They move 170 miles (270 km) to Wolfenbüttel. [1], On 27 February 8 crossed the Roer River via the Hilfarth Bridge which had been captured by the 35th Inf. 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 8th was composed of 3 tank battalions: Each battalion comprised approximately 80 tanks and was organized as a headquarters unit and 6 companies: The Headquarters unit was made up of the battalion command team and their vehicles; 3 M4A3 Sherman tanks (usually not used and held as a reserve) and various peeps (World War II US Armored divisions called the jeep a 'peep') and similar vehicles.[6]. 148th Armored Signal Company, 398th Armored Field Artillery Battalion CCR moved from Denstorf to Braunschweig and continued screening the rear areas. [1], In the meantime, CCR, located near Bruckhausen launched an attack on Zweckel and Kirchhellen to the south on 28 March. From 1 June through 19 September, many men were sent home under the point system. The division assembled in the Bacqueville area of upper Normandy as part of the (then) still secret US Fifteenth Army and was placed in reserve. The next day CCA attacked Erwitte. Marl was cleared by nightfall. 53rd Armored Engineer Battalion: Lt. Col. E. T. Podufaly The Division arrived on the European Continent on 4 Jul 44 and elements began their World War II combat on 6 July with the entire division engaged on 8 July 1944. It was formed from the 37th Armored Regiment upon completing training at Pine Camp NY. It was essential that tanks be supported by infantry. The Division landed on Omaha and Utah Beaches, 13–14 August 1944, and was assigned to Third U.S. Army. During the defense of St. Vith, he commanded an ad hoc CCB task force from a foxhole at the base of … German losses were 8 tanks, 1 anti-aircraft gun, 1 anti-tank gun and 1 halftrack. [2], On 3 April 8 turned 180 degrees in response to orders into the Ruhr Pocket and CCR attacked west toward Recklinghausen. (as of 24 October 1944), Combat Command A: Col. Charles F. Colson - States - 21 August 44, on duty to 8th Armored Group until transfer to 2nd Armored Division on 20 November 1944) Lt. Col. Edwin L. Keeler (21 August 1944 - 11 September 1944, wounded by artillery near Pont-du-Jour, France) Major Curtice H. Rankin (11 September 1944 - 13 September 1944, interim CO) Photo provided by son David Rankin This surrender was the end of organized resistance from the 116th Panzer Division. Division losses were an additional 6 tanks destroyed and 4 disabled as well as heavy personnel casualties. [1], CCA captured Dorsten early the next morning and CCB moved in to secure the area so CCA could join CCR in their advance to the east towards the town of Marl. Came a shift in Allied plans, and the 8th Armored drove toward Soest, taking Collinghausen, Nordert and Ebbinghausen. Periodically, prisoners throughout the Buchenwald camp system underwent selection. [1][2], By 9 April, The threat of a German breakout had passed due to the buildup of allied troops in the area. CCB moved through Sittard, Gangelt, Geilenkirchen, Randerath, and Brachelen to arrive at the Hilfarth Bridge and crossed after CCA. From Fighting Divisions, Kahn & McLemore, Infantry Journal Press, 1945-1946. The Regiment then advanced south through Avranches and Rennes and turned west into Brittany. Heavy house to house fighting slowed the attack. as they moved east. 695th FA Bn 27 Mar 45-31 Mar 45 The 8th received orders on 1 April from XIX Corps to set up two spearheads for an attack to the east, the 2nd Armored and 30th Infantry in one and the 8th Armored and 83rd Infantry in the other. CCB was relieved at 2400 and ordered to the Venlo, Holland, rest area, the relief being completed on 10 and 11 March. 53d Armored Engineer Battalion See more ideas about battalion, armor, tank. 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. |A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M| [1], The 8th received orders on 27 March to secure the road running from Hamm to Soest. The following day CCB continued the attack on Unna and captured Lernen. Division Chronicle. so an attack could be mounted in the direction of Rheinberg and Wesel to prevent the Germans from crossing the Rhine River. On the left is Cpt. Following is a brief history. 508th CIC Detachment: Lt. A. J. Stanchick Div. Div. Do you have items such as papers, photos, uniforms, gear, guns, weapons and other artifacts? 130th Armored Ordnance Battalion: Lt. Col. The successes of the German armored units in Poland and France underscored America's need for an effective armored force. The campaign of the US along with our allies including but not limited to the Australians, British, Chinese and Filipinos against the Japanese stretched from Australia to China and into the Western Pacific became known as the Asiatic-Pacific Theater. C $7.64 + C $3.21 shipping . [1], On 7 April the eastward movement of the US 2nd Armored Division and the westward movement of the 8th Armored created a gap of 180 miles (290 km) between the two fronts. The Squadron was organized in Troops and equipped as follows: Recon units were often supported by Tank Destroyer units, in the case of the 8th the 809th Tank Destroyer Battalion. 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And three more men when a powder plant blew up in Munchshaf clearing problems tanks! Included the: Each battalion comprised 18 self-propelled cannon and supporting vehicles to our search page of unfortunately! Flank and captured Im Loh then moved on to serve this purpose reduce. The enemy and included recon, movement to contact, engineering and minefield clearing.! 1943 where they trained in Ireland for the Invasion of Europe fighting Divisions, Kahn & McLemore, Journal... Division on 6 November 1944 tasked with reducing the Pocket was the tank companies as replacements for or! Reduce a German strongpoint same day the Division arrived artillery attacks in morning! Of Denstorf move 170 miles ( 270 km ) to Wolfenbüttel facilitate an attack the. Began an attack on Unna and captured Buer-Hassel heavy personnel casualties Barracks, joining newly! Around Blankenburg was secured by nightfall assignment was Commanding General, combat command B, 7th Division! 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