Detachments
Field Artillery
681st GFAB to 95-ID – Apr 5 1945 – Apr 13 1945
Infantry
193-GIR to 101-A/B, Jan 3, 1945 – Jan 7, 1945
193-GIR to 101-A/B, Jan 14, 1945 – Jan 18, 1945
507-PIR to XIX Corps, Mar 31, 1945 – Apr 2, 1945
194-GIR to 95-ID, Apr 5, 1945 – Apr 13, 1945
Command Posts
Aug 30, 1944, Camp Chiseldon, Wiltshire, England
Dec 24, 1944, Camp Mourmellon, Marne, France
Dec 28, 1944, Charleville, Dept. Ardennes, France
Jan 3, 1945, Morhet, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 15, 1945, Celli, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 17, 1945, Bertogne, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 19, 1945, Compogne, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 22, 1945, Lavigny, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 24, 1945, Steinbach, Prov. Luxembourg, Belgium
Jan 24, 1945, Eschweiler, Luxembourg
Jan 29, 1945, Enscherange, Luxembourg
Feb 11, 1945, Châlon-sur-Marne, Dept. Marne, France
Mar 24, 1945, Wesel (2000-M north), Rhineland, Germany
Mar 28, 1945, Peddenburg, Rhineland, Germany
Mar 29, 1945, Vulffen, Rhineland, Germany
Mar 30, 1945, Haltern, Rhineland, Germany
Apr 1, 1945, Dulmen, Westphalia, Germany
Apr 3, 1945, Appelhulsen, Westphalia, Germany
Apr 4, 1945, Munster, Westphalia, Germany
Apr 6, 1945, Marxloh, Rhineland, Germany
Apr 8, 1945, Bottrop, Rhineland, Germany
Apr 10, 1945, Essen, Rhineland, Germany
Apr 21, 1945, Marxloh, Rhineland, Germany
Combat Narrative
The division was flown to the Reims area of France during December 23 and December 25 by emergency night flights and assembled at Mourmelon Le Grand. During the period of December 27-31, the division defended the Meuse River from Givet to Verdun and relieved the 28-ID in the Neufchâteau area on January 1, 1945. On January 3, the 17-A/B attacked 45 five miles northwest of Bastogne and was strongly opposed at Dead Man’s Ridge, capturing Rechrival and Flamierge on January 7.
The division gained and then lost the high ground north of Laval and was forced out of Flamierge by a strong German counter-attack on January 8. On January 11, the German forces commenced their general withdrawal and the division moved up to retake Flamierge the next day. Salle fell without opposition on January 13, and the following day, the 507-PIR secured Bertogne while the 194-GIR took Givroulle and the division reached the Ourthe River. It took over the Hardingny – Houffalize line on January 18, and by January 20, had advanced beyond Tavigny, Steinbach, and Limerlé. On January 22, the 17-A/B continued behind the retreating Germans, and captured Espeler and Wattermal on January 26, when the paratroopers were relieved by the 87-ID.
The division then began clearing operations and on February 6, assaulted to the Our River which the 507-PIR crossed north of Dasburg, Germany. The bridgehead came under a heavy counter-attack until, February 10, when the 6-AD relieved the 17-A/B which was sent back to Châlons-sur-Marne for reserve duty. Attached to the 1st Allied Airborne Army, the 17-A/B made an airborne assault east of the Rhine River north of Wesel on March 24, 1945, and took Diersfordt and the high ground to the east of the town, containing strong German counter-attacks. The next day, the 194-GIR and the 507-PIR attacked across the Issel Canal.
By March 27, the 194-GIR took positions near the Erle-Schermbeck Road and the 513-PIR assisted the British 6th Guards Armored Brigade attack toward Dorsten. The following day, the 507-PIR overran Wulfen. The 194-GIR motored to Dulmen as the 2-AD began passing through and relieved the division. The division crossed the Rhine River at Wesel on March 31 and cleared the city of Münster on April 2-3.
The division started to the Duisburg region on April 5, and relieved the 79-ID of defensive positions along the Rhine-Herne Canal the next day. The 5O7-PIR attacked across the canal on April 8, and cleared to the Herne Canal by April 9. The 507-PIR seized Essen without opposition on April 10. The following day the division cleared scattered resistance from the Mulheim-Duisburg sector of the Ruhr region, the 507-PIR gaining a small bridgehead at Mulheim which it turned over to the 79-ID. The division received the formal surrender of Duisburg and began the relief of the 79-ID on April 12. It then engaged in military government duties until the hostilities ended on May 7, 1945.
