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Mouwembleem 71st US Infantry Division (Sleeve badge 71st US Infantry Division)

WW2 issue

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€ 8,00
Betaalwijzes

The 71st Infantry Divisionwas a unit of the United States Army in World War II.

  • Activated: 15 July 1943.
  • Overseas: 26 January 1945.
  • Campaigns: Rhineland,Central-Europe
  • Days of combat: 62.
  • Awards: DSC-1 ; DSM-1 ; SS-180; LM-1 ; SM-8 ; BSM-695 ; AM-10.
  • Commanders: Brig. Gen. Robert L. Spragins (July 1943 – October 1944), Maj. Gen. Eugene M. Landrum (October–November 1944), Maj. Gen. Willard G. Wyman (November 1944-16 August 1945), Brig. Gen. Onslow S. Rolfe (17 August 1945 – 10 October 1945), Maj. Gen. Arthur A. White (October 1945 – February 1946). While his time served is not noted here, William Westmorelandis named in other Army records as having been divisional Chief of Staff and then Commanding General in 1946.
  • Returned to U.S.: 10 March 1946.
  • Inactivated: 12 March 1946.
  • Subordinate Units:
    • 5th Infantry Regiment
    • 14th Infantry Regiment
    • 66th Infantry Regiment
    • 564th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
    • 607th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
    • 608th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
    • 609th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
    • 571st Signal Company
    • 771st Ordnance Company
    • 251st Quartermaster Company
    • 71st Reconnaissance Troop
    • 271st Engineer Battalion
    • 371st Medical Battalion
    • 71st Counter Intelligence Detachment

    • The 71st Infantry Division arrived at Le Havre, France, 6 February 1945, and trained at Camp Old Gold with headquarters at Limesy. The division moved east, relieved the 100th Infantry Division at Ratswiller and saw its first action on 11 March 1945. Their ouster of the Germans from France began 15 March. The division moved through outer belts of the Siegfried Line, captured Pirmasens, 21 March, and crossed the Rhine at Oppenheim, 30 March. The 71st continued the advance, taking Coburg without resistance, cutting the Munich-Berlin autobahn, 13 April, and capturing Bayreuth after fierce opposition on 16 April. Moving south, the Division destroyed Schönfeld, 18 April, took Rosenberg, crossed the Naab River atKallmünz on 24 April and crossed the Danube on 26 April. Regensburg fell on the next day and Straubing on 28 April. As resistance crumbled, the division crossed the Isar on 29 April and entered Austria, 2 May.

      Participated in the liberation of concentration camps including one in Austria calledGunskirchen Lager on 4 May. A pamphlet was produced by the US Army after they liberated the camp, called "The Seventy-First came to Gunskirchen Lager." The book recounts in detail, and with very graphic photos, the tragedy they found in the camp. The complete booklet is available for free on-line.

      The 71st organized and occupied defensive positions along the Enns River and contacted Russian forces east of Linz, 8 May, the day before hostilities ceased, having gone further east than any other U.S. Army unit. The division was assigned occupational duties until it left for home and inactivation 1 March 1946.

      During the last several weeks of the war, the 761st Tank Battalion, an African-American unit that earned a high reputation for its effectiveness in combat, was attached to the 71st Division and fought with it. The 71st Division is also the formation in which Lt. John D. Eisenhower, General Dwight Eisenhower's son, served.

 

 

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