A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946

Download or read book A History of the Second Armored Division, 1940-1946 written by Lt.-Col. E. A. Trahan and published by Pickle Partners Publishing. This book was released on 2018-04-03 with total page 579 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: 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.