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    A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946
    A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946
    A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946
    Ebook356 pages2 hours

    A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946

    By Lt.-Col. E. A. Trahan

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    Originally published in 1946, this book is an official unit history for the 2d Armored Division in World War II, which was activated on 15 July 1940 and participated in campaigns in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe, and Sicily.

    Elements of the Division first saw action in North Africa, landing at Casablanca in November 1942, and later took part in the fighting at Beja, Tunisia, but as a whole did not enter combat until the invasion of Sicily, when it made an assault landing at Gela in July 1943 and saw action at Butera, Campobello, and Palermo.

    After the Sicilian campaign, the Division trained in England for the cross-Channel invasion, landed in Normandy D plus 3 on 9 June 1944, and went into action in the vicinity of Carentan. The Division raced across France in July and August, drove through Belgium, and attacked across the Albert Canal in September, crossing the German border at Schimmert to take up defensive positions near Geilenkirchen. In October, it launched an attack on the Siegfried Line from Marienberg, broke through, crossed the Wurm River, and seized Puffendorf and Barmen in November. It was holding positions on the Roer when it was ordered to help contain the German Ardennes offensive.

    The Division helped reduce the Bulge in January 1945, fighting in the Ardennes forest in deep snow, and cleared the area from Houffalize to the Ourthe River of the enemy. After a rest in February, the Division drove on across the Rhine in March, and was the first American Division to reach the Elbe at Schonebeck in April, where it was halted, on orders. In July 1945, the Division entered Berlin—the first American unit to enter the German capital city.

    Known as the "Hell on Wheels" division, the 2d Armored Division was one of the most famous American units in World War II.

    Richly illustrated throughout with photos of the 2d Armored Division, General George Patton, battle photographs and maps.
    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherArcole Publishing
    Release dateApr 3, 2018
    ISBN9781789121803
    A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946
    Author

    Lt.-Col. E. A. Trahan

    Lt.-Col. E. A. Trahan, G.S.C. (August 25, 1917 - November 19, 2003) was a decorated 2d Armored Division unit commander and unit historian. Born in Lafayette, Louisiana to Joseph Ashby Trahan and Lillian Landry Trahan, he commanded troops in combat as a tank battalion commander in the 2d Armored Division in the European Theater of Operations during WWII. He served as a division general staff officer, on the Army General Staff, as Chief of Staff in a joint command, taught cadets at West Point, and graduated from the DOD Command and General Staff College in Norfolk and from the Army War College. He also served on the Joint Staff. His final tour of duty was as the executive officer of the National War College at Ft. McNair. Following retirement he served as Secretary of St. Albans School in Washington, D.C. and, after returning to Lafayette, acted as a construction supervisor for two banks. He was married to Georgia Marie Colomb and together the couple had two sons. He passed away in his hometown of Lafayette in 2003 aged 86.

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      Book preview

      A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946 - Lt.-Col. E. A. Trahan

      This edition is published by Arcole Publishing – www.pp-publishing.com

      To join our mailing list for new titles or for issues with our books – arcolepublishing@gmail.com

      Or on Facebook

      Text originally published in 1946 under the same title.

      © Arcole Publishing 2017, all rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted by any means, electrical, mechanical or otherwise without the written permission of the copyright holder.

      Publisher’s Note

      Although in most cases we have retained the Author’s original spelling and grammar to authentically reproduce the work of the Author and the original intent of such material, some additional notes and clarifications have been added for the modern reader’s benefit.

      We have also made every effort to include all maps and illustrations of the original edition the limitations of formatting do not allow of including larger maps, we will upload as many of these maps as possible.

      A HISTORY OF THE SECOND UNITED STATES ARMORED DIVISION

      1940 to 1946

      Edited by

      E. A. TRAHAN

      TABLE OF CONTENTS

      Contents

      TABLE OF CONTENTS 3

      PREFACE 4

      DIVISION COMMANDERS 5

      INTRODUCTION 17

      CHAPTER I 18

      CHAPTER II 43

      CHAPTER III 68

      CHAPTER IV 89

      CHAPTER V 102

      CHAPTER VI 150

      CHAPTER VII 181

      CHAPTER VIII 210

      TROOP ASSIGNMENTS 225

      DIVISION STATISTICS 246

      DISTINGUISHED UNIT CITATIONS SECOND ARMORED DIVISION 249

      MAPS 251

      REQUEST FROM THE PUBLISHER 276

      PREFACE

      THE HISTORY OF THE SECOND ARMORED DIVISION has been written, for the most part, without attempt to describe the holocaust of combat. This outline of events is meant primarily for the veteran of the Division who needs no description of battle. A true picture of the heroism and self-sacrifice displayed by the Hell on Wheels men could never be adequately covered in the space allotted. It is believed, however, that sufficient data has been included to enable the Division veteran to recall his own contribution to the final victory. If the history so serves, our mission will have been fulfilled.

      DIVISION COMMANDERS

      GENERAL GEORGE S. PATTON, JR. 18 Sept. 1940–18 Jan. 1942 Died in Germany 21 Dec. 1945

      LIEUTENANT-GENERAL WILLS D. CRITTENBERGER 18 Jan. 1942–31 July 1942

      MAJOR-GENERAL ERNEST N. HARMON 31 July 1942–6 Apr. 1943 12 Sept. 1944–19 Jan. 1945

      BRIGADIER GENERAL ALLEN F. KINGMAN 6 Apr. 1943–5 May 1943

      MAJOR-GENERAL HUGH S. GAFFEY 5 May 1943–17 Mar. 1944

      MAJOR-GENERAL EDWARD H. BROOKS 17 Mar. 1944–12 Sept. 1944

      MAJOR-GENERAL ISAAC D. WHITE 19 Jan. 1945–8 June 1945

      BRIGADIER GENERAL JOHN H. COLLER 8 June 1945–4 Sept. 1945

      MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN M. DEVINE 4 Sept. 1945–24 Mar. 1946

      MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN W. LEONARD 24 March 1946

      INTRODUCTION

      ON JUNE 22ND 1940, a broken and bewildered France accepted the humiliating terms of a German Armistice. So rapid and so complete had been the impact of the Nazi Blitzkrieg that it was over before the world realized it had begun.

      So entered the era of mobile tank warfare in World War II.

      Less than a month later, the War Department of the United States announced a program for activation of its panzer equivalent. The Armored Force of the Army Ground Forces was activated, consisting of the 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions and one separate tank battalion. Although at the beginning this organization was largely theoretical, it soon developed into a grim reality for the enemies of democracy.

      CHAPTER I

      THE SECOND UNITED STATES ARMORED DIVISION was activated on 15 July 1940, with Brig. General Charles L. Scott Commanding. At its first formation ninety-nine officers and 2202 enlisted men received their orders as the original complement.

      The Division’s tank elements were formed from the original American Tank Corps of World War I. The 66th Armored Regiment was a direct outgrowth of units first formed in 1917, when an American Tank Corps was organized for the A.E.F. in France. Three Battalions, the 326th and 327th Tank Battalions which saw action in the St. Mihiel area in the first World War, and the 301st Tank Battalion, which was formed from the 65th Engineers at Camp Devens, Mass., were parent units of the 66th Armored Regiment. Consolidation of the existing tank organizations after the first World War, produced, in 1921, the First Tank Group which in 1929 became the 1st and 2nd Tank Regiments. From these Regiments the two tank Regiments in the Division were formed, namely the 66th Infantry (light tanks) and the 67th Infantry (medium tanks). The 66th became part of a Provisional Tank Brigade formed in 1939, and when the 2nd Armored Brigade, as part of the 2nd Armored Division, was constituted, the Regiment was redesignated 66th Armored Regiment (light). It was under command of Colonel Alvin C. Gillem. Further changes occurred in Table of Organization in 1942 and the final form of the Regiment evolved. The colors of the Regiment proudly carry the battle streamers of World War I engagements—the Battle of the Somme Offensive, St. Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne. Its motto is SEMPER IN HOSTES—ALWAYS INTO THE ENEMY.

      The Division takes to the field on its first exercise after formation. This was on the Ft. Benning Reservation in Aug. 1940.

      The 67th Armored Regiment was a direct descendant of the 301st Heavy Tank Battalion that led the 27th Division in its Somme attack during the first World War. After the war, the 301st was reorganized into the 17th Heavy Tank Battalion. In 1929 the 17th inactivated, except for one company which was redesignated a company of the 2nd Tank Regiment at Fort Benning, Georgia. This company in 1932 became Co. F of the 67th Infantry (medium tanks) and later was incorporated as part of the 67th Armored Regiment (medium) of the 2nd Armored Brigade of the 2nd Armored Division. Its commanding officer at that time was Colonel Douglas T. Green. Later changes in the Division Table of Organization brought the Regiment into its present form. Its distinguished antecedents of World War I may well be proud of the part this Regiment has played in operations of World War II. Its motto—MORT ET DESTRUCTIO—DEATH AND DESTRUCTION.

      The third Armored Regiment, the 68th (light) which was a part of the original tank brigade of the Division, was formed from the same components as the 66th. It was later inactivated and largely absorbed by the 66th and 67th Armored Regiments, when the Division was reorganized in 1942.

      The Infantry component of the Division, the now famous Fighting 41st, also dates its history back to the period of World War I.

      The 41st U.S. Infantry came into being at Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in July, 1917. The initial strength of the unit was 13 officers and 650 enlisted men. Colonel Marcus D. Cronin was the first regimental commander.

      The Regiment remained at Fort Snelling for approximately the first four months of its existence. In October, 1917, the 41st Infantry (less the 2nd Battalion and Company D) was transferred to Fort Crook, Nebraska. Company D was sent to Flat River, Missouri, to guard certain lead mines. The 2nd Battalion (less Company F) was sent to Fort Brady, Michigan, to guard the Saulte Sainte Marie locks. Company F was moved to Fort Wayne, Michigan.

      In March, 1918, Company D rejoined the 1st Battalion at Fort Crook and in April Company F rejoined the 2nd Battalion at Fort Brady.

      The Regiment (less 2nd Battalion; was transferred to Camp Funston, Kansas, on 8 June 1918. At about the same time the strength of the Regiment was greatly augmented by the assignment of 1800 recruits from Jefferson Barracks, Missouri. Two months later, in August, the 2nd Battalion rejoined the Regiment. At Camp Funston the 41st Infantry Regiment formed part of the 10th Division, the orange and blue color scheme of the crest’s annulet which was under command of General Leonard Wood. The Regiment, momentarily expecting orders for France, trained diligently. In October an advance detail of four officers from the 41st Infantry was sent overseas to Gendecort, France, to attend II Corps School. The orders to move the Regiment to France, however, never materialized because of the signing of the Armistice in November.

      After the First World War, the 41st Infantry remained at Camp Funston, Kansas, for almost a year before being moved again. On 4 November 1919, the Regiment moved. The artillery of the 2nd Armored Division was formed to its fourth station, Camp Upton, Long Island, New York. On 31 December 1920, at Camp Upton, New York, the Regiment (less Company B) was inactivated. Company B was at Fort Howard, Maryland, having been there on duty since 19 November 1920.

      The 41st Infantry was reorganized as a regular Army Inactive Unit with headquarters in Syracuse, New York, in the late 1920’s. For many years the bulk of the officers assigned to it were graduates of the Infantry ROTC unit at Syracuse University. During this period Colonel Frederick C. Test designed the regimental coat-of-arms which was duly approved by the War Department. The colors of the coat-of-arms are significant of the Regiment’s background and origin. The field is blue for Infantry, and association with the Syracuse University is represented by the orange and blue color scheme of the crest’s annulet and field.

      Brig.-Gen. Scott. Div. Cmdr. Lt.-Col. Pickering, G-2 and Lt.-Col. Geoffery Keyes, Chief of Staff, confer in the field during the early days of the Division

      On the 15th of July, 1940, the Regiment was reactivated, becoming the 41st Infantry Regiment (Armored) of the 2nd Armored Division, with station at Fort Benning, Georgia. The parent organization was the 2nd Battalion, Georgia, arriving on 15 August 1940, with a personnel complement of 24 officers and 449 enlisted men.

      The artillery of the 2nd Armored Division was formed from the 14th FA Regiment, which served in training troops at the Artillery School at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, during World War I. Shortly after the war it was in activated and did not exist actively until it became part of the 2nd Armored Division in July, 1940, as the 14th FA Regiment and the 78th FA Battalion. The 14th FA Regiment at the time of reactivation was commanded by Colonel R. P. Shugg. Lt.-Col. Thomas Handy was the first commander of the 78th FA Battalion.

      The Hdq. of the 2nd Rcn Bn (later 82nd Rcn Bn) just after the Division’s formation. The Bn. Cmdr., Maj. I. D. White, seated at right, rose to become Div. Cmdr. during the final stage of the war.

      The insignia of the 14th Armored Field Artillery Battalion was taken from the shield of Satanta, Kiowa Indian chief.

      The shield and crest carry details significant to the history of Satanta, and carries the motto EX HOCSIGNO VICTORIA—WITH THIS SIGN VICTORY.

      Other elements of the Division were activated at Fort Benning,

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