Source: National Archives
Allied tanks in the German city of Koblenz.
(Still from Universal News)
Quoting from the National Archives, the 2nd Armored Division, during their period of service in WWII, “took 76,963 prisoners of war, liberated tens of thousands of Allied POWs, and destroyed or captured thousands of enemy tanks, including Panzers and Tigers. Between 1942 and 1945, the 2nd Armored Division lost 1,160 men in battle.” Is it any wonder why they were known as Hell on Wheels as they fought the Germans from North Africa through Sicily, France, Belgium, Holland, and Germany? Or, are you surprised that this was under the command of then Colonel George S. Patton? Three days after D-day, the division landed on Omaha Beach at Normandy and reached Germany in September of 1944, being the first to reach the Elbe River in mid-April of 1945. “In the fall of 1944, the 2nd Armored Division would fight its most difficult battles of the war.”1
To give you a little background, the 2nd Armored Division consisted of “heavy” armored vehicles – they had two armored regiments, each proudly containing medium and light tank battalions. This worked so well for them that it remained that way, not like other battalions who would re-arrange the works. During their service, they picked up some Distinguished Service Crosses, a Legion of Merit medals, and Silver Stars. To say they worked hard for these awards would be an understatement.
After their movements during all the months since being set up in the summer of 1940 at Fort Benning, Georgia, the 2nd Armored Division, as a reorganization of the Provisional Tank Brigade with Major General Charles L. Scott kicking things off, and after Colonel George S. Patton Jr. stepping in, on September 18th they crossed the German border near Sittard and stopped near Geilenkirchen to set up their defensive position. There the 2nd Armored Division’s actions helped penetrate the Siegfried Line, along with the British presence, and pushed deeper into German territory. This significantly contributed to the Allied victory in Europe.
After WWII, the 2nd Armored Division went back to the states, and this time it was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. Still, it had a forward brigade in West Germany during the Cold War where it continued to play significant roles, including the Persian Gulf War in 1991. It was finally inactivated on July 1st, 1995, but not forgotten. Its colors were cased, and its personnel and equipment were reassigned to other units.
Because of its many contributions to major conflicts and its impressive armored force, its legacy lies on. Other units have carried on the embodiment and traditions of the 2nd Armored Division within the U.S. Army to this day.
Hey! Want a great read? Pick up this cool book (I sure did:
2nd Armored Division: “Hell on Wheels” (Spearhead 10): Steven Smith: 9780711029767: Amazon.com: Books (BTW, ignore their $132.38 price – check out the “details” where it shows you can get a copy much, much cheaper! Oh, and there are a few at a very low price on eBay, too!)
1Steven Smith, 2nd Armored Division: “Hell on Wheels” (Ian Allan, Ltd.)