Although D-day gave the western Allies a beachhead in northern France, it took them almost two months of bitter fighting to break out of the Normandy hedgerows. After the breakout, Allied armies raced across France, liberated Paris, and headed toward the German frontier. The rapid pace of the advance placed a severe strain on Allied logistics, which, along with bad weather and stiffening German resistance, slowed the offensive. By mid-December, American armies had reached the Roer River inside Germany and the West Wall along the Saar River in eastern France. Between these two fronts lay the Ardenne, a hilly, densely forested area of Belgium. The Germans had attacked France through this supposedly impassable region in 1940. In early December 1944, five American divisions and a cavalry group held the 85-mile-long Ardenne front. The difficult terrain of the region and the belief that the German army was near exhaustion had convinced the Allied commanders that the Ardenne sector was relatively safe. Thus, three of the divisions were new, full of green soldiers who had only recently arrived on the continent; the other two were recuperating from heavy losses suffered in the bitter fighting in the Huertgen forest farther north. In addition, the heavy demand for American troops in some sectors had forced Allied commanders to lightly man other portions of the front .
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Sep
01
2009
Jul
23
2009
Category : 588th Field Arty Bn, 588th Fld Arty Bn, France (North), Germany
This copy of the History of the 558th FA Battalion was reproduced by the Military Department, State of Colorado. It was copied from the original history as prepared by Lt Gilbert Hahn upon request of the Historical Section of the Artillery School. Their request was predicated on the basis that the original cadre came from a Colorado unit – the 983rd Field Artillery Battalion. It would be amiss if we failed to mention the great contribution by the State of Utah from whence came the bulk of the fine young men that filled the ranks. The States of Tennessee, Washington, Oregon and California each sent sizeable contingents; however, most States were represented by one or two.
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Apr
14
2009
The US 10th Armored Division was activated on July 15 1942 at Fort Benning Georgia and moved on June 24 1943 to the Second Army #2 Tennessee Maneuvres.
On September 5 1943, the 10-AD moved to Camp Gordon, Georgia, the staged at Camp Shanks, New York, on, September 1 1944, until departed the New York Port of Embarkation.
The division landed in France on September 23 1944, crossed into the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg on December 17 1944 and was sent back to France on December 27 1944.
The 10th Armd entered Germany on February 22 1945 and when combat ceased, was sent back to the USA, arrived Hampton Roads Port of Embarkation on October 13 1945 and was deactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia a day later.
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Apr
11
2009
The 8th Armored Division was activated at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on April 1 1943 then was sent to Camp Polk, Louisiana on March 5 1943 then to the Fourth Army #6 Louisiana Maneuvres on February 2 1944.
The 8-AD returned to Camp Polk, Louisiana on April 26 1944, staged at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, on November 2 1944 until it departed the New York POE on November 6 and arrived in England on November 19 1944.
The 8th Armored Division landed in France on January 5 1945, crossed into Holland on February 5 1945 and entered in Germany on March 2 1945.
Wen the job was over, the 8-AD was sent back to Hampton Roads POE on November 13 1945 and was inactivated at the same date at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia.
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Mar
07
2009
Category : Cavalry Troops
The 6/CG-Mecz, under command of Col Edward M. Fickett and consisting of the 6-Sq/6CG and 28-Sq/6CG, landed in France on Jul 10 1944. The group was trained for the mission of establishing the Army Information Service for Gen George S. Patton’s Third Army while in England and in Normandy.
In July 1944, the Third Army became operational and with the 6/CG attached. Until Nov 1 1944 the group operated the Army Information Service, performing an invaluable mission for the Army Commander in keeping him completely informed as to the activities and location of his forward troops.
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Mar
02
2009
If the Krauts crack the defenses in the North Shoulder, they won’t surround the 101/AB Division in Bastogne, but the entire 1st Army in Belgium.
Feb
13
2009
Category : Cavalry Troops
I have found some interesting informations about Cavalry Troops during World War Two. I know that these informations are not really dig in but at least they give interesting Location and good start points to dig deeper.
