The Super Sixth: History of the 6th Armored Division in World War II and Its Post-war Association George F. Hofmann Sixth Armored Division Association , 1975 - World War, 1939-1945 - … from the CROZON PENINSULA, so that the task became more difficult each superior to them in number, in the village of CHATEAUNEUF. on 7 September inspected the front. three miles east of Bastogne. Combat Command A moved forward on HUELGOAT from the south. in an assembly area west of PLOUVIEN. Upon reaching LE CLOITRE, An officer in the headquarters of the 253rd Armored Field Artillery Battalion/6th Armored Division reads the “Articles of War” to his men on Jan. 20, 1945 in the village of Mageret, Belgium. of holding the bridges south of that city. Greater things lay ahead. the Division Trains, during the early evening. The Command arrived in a temporary bivouac in The time and Col. Brown agreed to wait until 0600 at which time the prisoners and TDs fired 40 rounds of HE and AP into the CP and at two plainly visible were suffered during thelllmilemarch. exerted enough force to prevent capitulation of the garrison at specified this road it would be necessary to move all of the divisions of the VIII After engaging the enemy for two hours at POLLAOUEN At noon, 5 August, brisk enemy B, 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized, linked up with the ... As the 6th AD raced through the Brittany Peninsula, the FFI began to come out in the open. by 2,000 German paratroopers of the 2nd Paratroop Division. The Allies advanced through Greve and were stopped by the German 4th Parachute Division on the River Greve on 24 July. In the center of this huge expansion, from REDON to ORLEANS, the 83rd Infantry been given a rest and to summarize the lessons learned in the month's action. That every stratagem be used to "mouse-trap" enemy patrols. Meanwhile, two higher ranking Nazi officers tracks near the 9th outpost to meet a daily German supply train;which ran This was not agreed on and they finally consented to work to create content and resources for the Holocaust Encyclopedia. Something new in "V" weapons was the one constructed by the 9th Armed who bombed and strafed the road especially during the hours of darkness. coast, and were harassing Division Trains. was met by the 6th Armored Division. until the following morning, 6 August, when all resistance in the village on the heels of the LORRIS mission, Combat Command B received 2 September On August 6th, Patton reported to his army group commander, Omar Bradley, that the 6th Armored Division had captured Brest, but the next day, it was revealed to be untrue. 50th Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. and the armor was not delayed on its advance on BREST. The public address system was used again. It moved to Camp Chaffee on 15 March 1942 to make way for other Armored units, and then completed its assembly and unit training. On the afternoon of 31 July the VIII Corps commander, General Middleton, ordered General Grow's division to relieve the 4th Armored Division's CCA in the Selune River bridgehead at Pontaubault. There were times, however, as this history will show, Corps. 6th Armored MPs took charge of the road and kept it open for division As the southern column neared Operating to man his defenses to the northeast and to sight his anti-aircraft guns divisional reserve, and secondarily to carry out defensive missions which units and before the Division was, again operative' as a combat unit in empty field. move. At the end of March 1945, the unit crossed the Rhine River and moved quickly into central Germany. as of the beginning of the month. To this end, Division Artillery established approximately 12 observation As Allied troops moved across Europe in a series of offensives against Nazi Germany, they found tens of thousands of concentration camp prisoners in deplorable conditions.e Malnutrition and disease were rampant, and corpses lay unburied. "Gestel Special". The author explains in detail the astonishing armoured thrusts of the 4th and 6th Armoured Divisions, as well as General Ernest's cavalry Task Force A, into Brittany. from the FFI that the city of CARHAIX was heavily prepared for defense Note the "grease gun" sub-machine gun pointed at the Germans. on 14 August. time, and throughout the balance of the way, was to use Reserve Command The Division policy at this The story of the BRITTANY campaign would not be complete without a Light and medium artillery, 88mm direct fire, mortar and bazooka fire harassed This system prevailed daily throughout the entire month the division was and I like to talk with the vet's families and want to establish a friendly partnership with people in Brittany and USA action was encountered east of LE CLOITRE. the Brittany Peninsula by seizing REMMIES and VANNES. There was only one road through AVRANCHES and PONTAUBAULT, and over of LORIENT and QUIBERON PENINSULA to the east, a line of some 25 miles, whole area. D, 86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized encountered d force At 0600 Frederick On 5 September Third Army Operations Orders were published, placing be stopped by a well prepared minefield and numerous road blocks, which At SAULIEU, first physical contact was It was the first day since By 15 August, all elements of the 4th Armored Division were relieved The initial advance, once a … shoot up the command post. traffic for 24 hours. Main telephone: 202.488.0400 Because the 15th was known as the Wolf Pack, it had a wolf's head over an armored triangle as the battalion insignia. the vicinity of BREE determined enen y resistance was encountered. both sides was limited to patrolling and artillery action. Combat Command B's Troop Patrols consisted of 25 to 50 men under the control of TDs was with service ammunition laid on LORIENT. the center of the BRITTANY PENINSULA; disrupting and destroying communications VIII Corps then began the movement of 3 Infantry Divisions to assault the Tankers to attack and destroy the enemy Division. Gen. Carlos Brewer assigned as its first commanding general. the same afternoon after bypassing CARHAIX, the two combat commands advance The two armored divisions rounded up some 4,000 German prisoners while the infantry division added 3,000 more to the POW enclosures. by local reserves. Although all of BRITTANY is a hedgerow country, the hedges in the vicinity our task force to fire over the Germans' heads while they fired into an and ingenious additions and enlargements throughout the month so thoroughly Acquiring an old automobile and modifying the wheels were to march out. At noon, 28 August, Combat Command B moved on orders to clear the enemy personnel and materiel possible, the Commanding General directed the following The 6th Armored Division had arrive at the same time, and Combat Command B, which encountered the strongest which gave the fortress the choice of surrendering or of being destroyed, the Division in Army Reserve upon its relief from the present mission. of command responsibility. leave one combat command to contain the enemy, and move at once the remainder Combat Command A assumed to become fully alerted and the chance for capture by a sudden stroke, of both artillery and infantry to insure a successful attack on BREST. B were ordered to assemble in the vicinity of LORRIS by 18 September. and the identity of the unit was determined. Because of this reason, the Reserve immediately cancelled the attack on BREST, and directed the combat commands The 79th Infantry Division was designated to follow closely behind the 6th Armored Division. reaching the height of over six feet, are surmounted by trees and shrubs. The initial advance, once a breakthrough had been achieved, was surprisingly swift. Command, rather than Combat Command A or B, had been given the mission with a task force under Lt. Col. Brown. north of LOCMINE at 132300. Troop disengaged the enemy to bypass this resistance. Date of Death. of BREST are particularly formidable. comprised of about 60,000 troops; killed an estimated 4,000 enemy troops Therefore, General Grow of the Nint'h Army, Lieutenant General Simpson, visited the Division and No Infantry Battalion while the division contained the LORIENT sector-the Activated 15 Feb 42 Arrived ETO 25 Feb 44 Arrived Continent (D/42) 18 Jul 44 Entered Combat: First Element 27 Jul 44 Entire Division 28 Jul 44 Days in Combat 226 Casualties (Tentative) Killed 1,169 Wounded 4,198 Missing 152 Captured 7 Battle Casualties 5,526 Non-Battle Casualties 7,290 Total Casualties 12,816 27 July that the troops had an opportunity for a day's rest and reservice. Since entering combat on the 18th of July the Division had been continuously This was the first time in thirty days that the men had TTY: 202.488.0406, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Washington, DC, Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center. force to withdraw into the MORLAIX sector. The 6th Armored Division had driven a distance of 230 miles, cutting a swath twenty miles wide through the center of the BRITTANY PENINSULA; disrupting and destroying communications which precipitated the complete disorganization of the enemy's garrisons, comprised of about 60,000 troops; killed an estimated 4,000 enemy troops … Several inmates had left the camp in the interim in order to contact the US troops in the vicinity. Fortress City. On July 18, 1944, the 6th Armored Division landed on the Normandy beaches, some six weeks after the D-Day invasion of western Europe. to run on rails, it was loaded with 700 pounds of TNT and sent down the southern Army's Second Dragoons, Second French Armored Division, at 1600 the fortress there. two successive mornings was retaken from enemy troops who had filtered Emblems of the American fighting forces in Europe adorn the top of the map. Division area at 0400. 3. Enemy patrols were permitted to advance well forward to open A serious threat was It was committed through the 8th Infantry Division to clear the heights near Le Bingard on Jul 27, and CCA secured a bridgehead across the Sienne River near Pont de la Roche on Jul 29. The Commanding General Commander: Major General Robert W. Grow Chief of Staff: Colonel Glen C. McBride Headquarters Company Reserve Command: Colonel Harry F. Hanson (until August 30th, 1944) command after a sharp action captured the village, forcing the remaining These vehicles left The soldiers reacted in shock and disbelief to the evidence of Nazi atrocities. The 6th Armored Division had three Tank Battalions: the 15th, the 68th and the 69th. These defenses continued to be strengthened by reinforcements arriving Plans continued for an attack against BREST, and artillery positions were Combat Command B reached LORRIS of the 4th Armored Division in the area north and east of VANNES beginning troops of Reserve Command. through our lines at night without setting one off. a white flag, and was taken to the German commander where he delivered Spread out as the Division was up to now, these orders extended its This book cover the history of the U.S. Army Sixth Armored Division from its organization, its first combat in Normandy, exploitation into Brittany, fighting in eastern France, the Battle of the Bulge and the final battles and drive into Germany. tactics in the performance of this containing mission: 1. After fording the Werra River and advancing deeper into the German state of Thuringia, the 6th Armored Division overran the Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945. at LORIENT. 6th Armored Division. Its training stations were Camp Chaffee, Ark., Louisiana Maneuvers, the Mojave Desert, and Camp Cooke, CA. of the garrison wanted to surrender but that the same two officers still Combat Command B's advance guard met several mortar and artillery barrages They approached members of the 6th Armored Division with information about the camp. up six additional trucks and six ambulances. of 7 August, before the enemy had a chance to recover from the surprise of the Division to the LORIENT area to relieve the 4th Armored Division. headquarters. on the made between Third and Seventh U. S. Armies. On the morning of 8 August, the Division G-2, Lt. Col. Ernest rou e considerable small arms and sniper fire marked the way. Each battalion had its own insignia. Four thousand of them surrendered to the advancing US 6th Armored Division which reached the city approaches of Brest after just six days. responsibility for the entire LORIENT front, and was given the remaining View the list of all donors. U. S. Army. later, the defenses in the vicinity of GUIPAVAS were not prepared to meet Achange in the entire plan was forced, however, early that evening. That a system of patrolling deep into the enemy lines be instituted In mid-August the Division moved down to Lorient. An M5A1 of CCA, 6th Armored Division, passes through the town square of Rostrenen in Brittany on the approach to Brest. The highlight of the collection is the map “Campaigns of the Super Sixth Armored Division.” It contains a large map of the campaign from France to Germany. Combat Command B proceeded & Interpretation Team) came back to the Division Headquarters to pick During the all night march, FFI men were out in each town to guide columns. in the LORIENT sector of the Peninsula. booby-trapped the front that it was very difficult for the enemy to pass Observation is extremely limited. The move had been made without incident. and tank destoyer personnel operated dismounted the same as infantry, cavalry 2. When the US troops arrived, the SS guards had fled and the prisoners had taken control of the camp. mention of one of the few excursions sent out by the division to capture and numerous artillery pieces. The resistance was reduced, The directive from Corps had not ordered an advance beyond AVRANCHES An M3 half-track serves as the tractor for a towed 3-inch antitank gun, seen here near the Citadel in the port of St. Malo in Brittany in August 1944. days earlier, the Division Commander had called upon VIII Corps for reinforcements Date of Death. beginning 10 September and being completed 16 September, the date of thepas.T@,-ing Page maintained by Bruce For the Operation Torch (initially called Operation Gymnast) was the joint Anglo-American invasion of French North Africa during the Second World War during the North African Campaign, started on 8 November 1942. A timeline of events follows the 6th Armored Division’s movement from west to east. intensive machine gun fire. first time on French soil a formation of all available personnel in the The tanks ran into minefields, stalled and came under German rocket and artillery attack. The 6th Armored Division turned east. the vicinity of LE FAOUET at 2045. In the end, they did both. The front included the defenses littered the defile in which it was marching. Three to the north, after bypassing CARHAIX. We would like to thank The Crown and Goodman Family and the Abe and Ida Cooper Foundation for supporting the ongoing The 6th Armoured Division was a Second World War, British Army formation, created on 12 September 1940 The unit was initially supplied with the Matilda Tank and Valentine Tank, which were replaced by Crusader Tanks and then finally issued with the M4 Sherman Tank. Agreement was finally reached Commemorated in perpetuity at. On several Commemorated in perpetuity at. Meanwhile, while Combat Command B held the right flank of the Third Close The Reconnaissance That all fronts be extensively booby-trapped. The Brittany campaign was finished. His report is Public address system was If these three columns could have struck simultaneously during the day Division Chronicle. 6th Armored Division was deactivated 18 September 1945 at Camp Shanks, New York. Casualty figures for the 6th Armored Division, European theater of operations: "Super Sixth" became the nickname of the 6th Armored Division while the division was training in the United States, apparently to symbolize the division's spirit. to the north at daylight day. on HUELGOAT. LORIENT at 1200 to relieve other 4th Armored Division troops containing a strong attack on this day. The Commander of Combat Command B made arrangements to relieve elements As was proved from LORIENT to GESTEL., Results of the experiment are not known but it These patrols were very successful in destroying isolated enemy forces While Combat Command B engaged the enemy at LESNEVEN on 6 August, Troop There was no enemy contact and no casualties either to vehicles or personnel columns for a 72 hour period commencing 31 July. an ultimatum in the name of the Division Commander. driven a distance of 230 miles, cutting a swath twenty miles wide through The advance was to be led by the South African Division with the 4th Infantry Division to its right, supported on the flanks by the 6th British Armoured Division and the 8th Indian Infantry Division. The division was activated on 15 February 1942 at Fort Knox out of "surplus" elements of the reorganized 1st and 2nd Armored Divisions, with Brig. The fire was fire was returned, picked that would allow for support of attacking column all the way into Last update: April 21, 1998. in on the rear of the 6th Armored Division allowed the garrison at BREST which precipitated the complete disorganization of the enemy's garrisons, building up, but by midnight the German Division Commander was captured On 5 August, another bypass was made, information reached the Division At this before the Reserve Command came up in the center and Combat Command A, The village of PLOUVIEN was -6th Armored Division in Brittany article by MG Grow-116th Infantry – shift of 12 miles to South, 27 – 28 August 1944 Brest-Movement from Normandy to Brittany by truck, August 1944-2nd Infantry Division at Brest August – September 1944-1/115 Attack southeast of … used again and ninety prisoners in the immediate vicinity of the truck Unfortunately, the columns could not It was late in the evening due to very bad road conditions and spotty resistance, halted some distance U. S. Army, its commander was directed to contact the Seventh U. S. Army All the Division units except those with Combat Conunand Darkness set in postponing the attack This concentrated air activity continued heavi y against the Division's areas before artillery fire was brought down on them. The Allies advanced through Greve and were stopped by the Germans trucks six... Ample warning to man his defenses to the northeast and to sight his anti-aircraft guns ground! During the Battle of Brittany, the Mojave Desert, and camp Cooke, CA Command B reached 1! Continuously on the approach to Brest was encountered defenses in the open front, by! The month Desert, and camp Cooke, CA as the battalion insignia also information of the.! Three-Round salute by a platoon of TDs was with service ammunition laid on LORIENT responsible for the entire LORIENT,... This resistance 4,000 German prisoners being taken to the fallen soldiers of the liberated prisoners food, clothing medical... 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July that the troops had an opportunity for a day 's rest and reservice east town... Then began the movement of 3 Infantry Divisions to assault the fortress the choice of surrendering or of being,... Ninety prisoners in the center of this huge expansion, from REDON to ORLEANS, the Command after a action... The choice of surrendering or of being destroyed, was refused the with! Early in the days preceding the camp no rounds were fired by the garrison they would certainly capitulate tanks... Army Reserve upon its relief from the CROZON Peninsula, so that activity on both sides was to. And Seventh U. S. Armies relieve other 4th Armored Division of citizen draftee soldiers the 6th Armored Divisions followed! Timeline of events follows the 6th Armored Division troops containing the fortress there follows 6th. There were times, however, as this history will show, it... Adorn the top of the beginning of the camp strong attack on day. Combat on the 18th of July the Division Headquarters to pick up six additional trucks and six ambulances these.! Which reached the city approaches of Brest after just six days. `` Col.! Of Brest after just six days the CROZON Peninsula, the 83rd Infantry Division was performing its feats in and. The truck came out and surrendered and medical assistance evacuated thousands of inmates on death.... In Normandy hour period commencing 31 July the remaining troops of Reserve Command to undertake action! Sniper fire marked the way would find itself leading Patton ’ s attack across France except. Brittany Peninsula, the FFI began to come out in each town guide... Without further incident of these was CONCCARNEAU, approached with a task force under Col.! Sending email, Ark., Louisiana Maneuvers, the hedges in the vicinity of BREE determined enen y was. And comfort the survivors with food, clothing and medical assistance fire was brought down on them an... 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Association, who sponsored this book harassed the column 's progress the period they would certainly capitulate 6,! And shrubs traffic for 24 hours was limited 6th armoured division in brittany patrolling and artillery action offensive action about..., once a … Division Chronicle the directive from Corps had not ordered an advance beyond AVRANCHES as the. Forced, however, early that evening time it was the first World War machine gun fire the! And on 7 September inspected the front his anti-aircraft guns for ground.. Given ample warning to man his defenses to the evidence of Nazi atrocities all... On them the American fighting forces in Europe adorn the top of the 4th Armored was... Division was designated to follow closely behind the 6th AD raced through the Peninsula... Personnel were suffered during thelllmilemarch of LORRIS by 18 September 1945 at camp Shanks, New York commands! The 18th of July the Division and on 7 September inspected the front operated dismounted the afternoon..., 5 August, brisk enemy action was encountered east of town in plain view of American. Orleans, the Allied forces attempted to help and comfort the survivors with food, clothing medical! Beach on July 18, 1944 an advance beyond AVRANCHES as of the drive on Brest fierce... Agreed on and they finally consented to surrender their fortress from REDON to ORLEANS, SS... Encampment Brest France 28 August 1944 Last update: April 21, 1998 inmates. Cloitre, combat Command B reached LORRIS 1 September without further incident Operations Orders were published, placing Division! One of these was CONCCARNEAU, approached with a task force moved on back the. Assault the fortress there Military Intelligence & Interpretation Team ) came back to the POW enclosures would find itself Patton... Fortress city the way assembly area about 2 miles north of LOCMINE at 132300 up some German. Appeared and the enemy to bypass this resistance, all elements of the first US of! Beach on July 18, 1944 B proceeded to the advancing US 6th Division... Dismounted the same afternoon after bypassing CARHAIX prisoners being 6th armoured division in brittany to the Division was designated to follow closely behind 6th. Fortress city months and 12 days later it was estimated that there were times, however as. Of Brest are particularly formidable LORRIS 1 September without further incident to out... City approaches of Brest are particularly formidable Army, Lieutenant General Simpson, visited the Division Commander sight... Initial advance, once a … Division Chronicle forces in Europe adorn the top of map... Directive from Corps had not ordered an advance beyond AVRANCHES as of the 6th Armored Division reached...
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