World War II

Overseas: 20 September 1944.

Campaigns: Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Days of combat: 102.

Distinguished Unit Citations: 1.

Awards: DSC-2 ; DSM-1 ; SS-225; LM-8; DFC-4 ; SM-11 ; BSM-1,453 ; AM-63.

Commanders:

Maj. Gen. Carlos Brewer (September 1942-August 1944)
Maj. Gen. Douglass T. Greene (August-September 1944)
Maj. Gen. Roderick R. Allen (September 1944-July 1945)
Brig. Gen. Willard A. Holbrook, Jr. (July 1945 to inactivation)

Returned to U.S.: 1 December 1945.

Inactivated: 3 December 1945.

Combat Chronicle

The 12th Armored Division landed at Liverpool, England, 2 October 1944. It arrived at Le Havre, France, 11 November 1944. Advance elements met the enemy near Weisslingen, 5 December, and the entire Division moved against the Maginot Line fortifications 2 days later. In its advance, Rohrbach and the Bettviller area were liberated by 12 December, and Utweiler, Germany, was seized 21 December. After a short period of rehabilitation and maintenance, the 12th rolled against the Rhine riverhead at Herlisheim. German defenders repulsed Division attacks in the most violent fighting in the history of the 12th, 9 to 10 January 1945. However, enemy counterattacks failed also. Going over to the offensive, the Division attacked south from Colmar, and in a lightning drive, effected junction with French forces at Rouffach, 5 February, sealing the Colmar pocket and ending German resistance in the Vosges Mountains. Except for elements acting as a protective screen, the Division withdrew to the St. Avoid area for rest and rehabilitation. The attack resumed, 18 March 1945. In a quick drive to the Rhine, Ludwigshafen fell, 21 March, and two other important river cities, Speyer and Germersheim, were secured on the 24th, clearing the Saar Palatinate. Maintaining the rapid pace, the 12th crossed the Rhine River at Worms, 28 March, advanced toward Wurzburg against light resistance, and captured that city. After assisting in the seizure of Schweinfurt, the Division continued toward Nurnberg, 13 April, taking Neustadt, then shifted toward Munich, 17 April. Elements of the 12th raced from Dinkelsbuhl to the Danube, taking the bridge at Dillingen before demolition men could wreck it. This bridge provided a vital artery for Allied troops flooding into southern Germany. The Division spearheaded the Seventh Army drive, securing Landsberg, 29 April, clearing the area between the Ammer and Wurm Seas on the 30th, and moving deeper into the “National Redoubt.” Elements crossed .the Inn River and the Austrian border, 3 May. The 12th was relieved by the 36th Infantry Division, 4 May, and engaged in security duty until 22 November 1945, when it left Marseille, France, for home.

Assignments in the ETO

13 November 1944: Ninth Army, 12th Army Group.
5 December 1944: XV Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
27 December 1944: XXI Corps.
30 December 1944: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
3 January 1945: XV Corps.
6 January 1945: VI Corps.
3 February 1945: XXI Corps.
11 February 1945: XV Corps.
28 February 1945: XXI Corps.
17 March 1945: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group, but attached to the XX Corps, Third Army, 12th Army Group.
24 March 1945: XXI Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
26 March 1945: XV Corps.
31 March 1945: XXI Corps.
4 May 1945: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.

General

Hellcat Division. Slogan: Speed is the password. Shoulder patch: Same as the 1st Armored, but with a number “12” in the upper portion of the triangle. Association: 12th Armored Division Association, 815 Rosedale Avenue, Bellefonte, Wilmington, Del . (Mr. C. P. Chapman, executive secretary). Publications: Hellcats in World War II, A History of the United States Twelfth Armored Division; by unit members; Army & Navy Publishing Co., Baton Rouge 1, La. ; 1947. Buddy Locator; by unit members; Army & Navy Publishing Co., Baton Rouge 1, La.; 1947. Pictorial Review; by unit members; Albert Love Enterprises, Atlanta 2, Ga.; 1944. Speed is the Password; by unit members; TI&E, ETOUSA; distributor, 12th Armored Division Association. Hellcat News; monthly publication of the 12th Armored Division Association.