View source for 8th Armored Division (United States)

{{Short description|WW2 US Army formation}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2020}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = 8th Armored Division
| image                         = 8th US Armored Division SSI.svg
| image_size                    = 150
| caption                       = 8th Armored Division shoulder sleeve insignia
| dates                         = 1 April 1942 – 14 November 1945
| country                       = {{flag|United States}}
| allegiance                    = 
| branch                        = {{army|USA}}
| type                          = [[Armor Branch (United States)|Armor]]
| role                          = [[Armoured warfare|Armored warfare]]
| size                          = [[Division (military)|Division]]
| command_structure             = 
| nickname                      = "Thundering Herd" or "Iron Snake"
| battles                       = {{tree list}}
*[[World War II]]
** [[Siegfried Line campaign]]
** [[Battle of the Bulge]]
** [[Western Allied invasion of Germany]]
{{tree list/end}}
}}
{{Military unit sidebar|title=U.S. Armored Divisions|previous=[[7th Armored Division (United States)|7th Armored Division]] (''Inactive'')|next=[[9th Armored Division (United States)|9th Armored Division]] (''Inactive'')}}
The '''8th Armored Division''' was an [[Armoured warfare|armored]] [[division (military)|division]] of the [[United States Army]] that served in the [[Western Front (World War II)|European Theater]] of [[World War II]].

==History==
===Stateside===
The successes of the German armored units in Poland and France underscored America's need for an effective armored force. The tank battles of North Africa and Russia in early 1942 caused the US Army to recognize the need to drastically increase the number of its armored units. The 8th Armored Division was activated on 1 April 1942 at [[Fort Knox]], Kentucky, with "surplus" units of the recently reorganized 4th Armored Division and newly organized units. The division served as the first official military guardian of the gold vault at Fort Knox. From 1942 to 1944 it functioned as a training command stationed at [[Fort Polk|Camp Polk]], Louisiana. During this period the 8th supplied trained personnel to the 9th through 14th Armored Divisions. In September 1943 the division completed reorganization from the old style triangular division to the new 'light' armored division, as per War Department Letter AG-322, in preparation for activation as a combat unit. The light format armored division was made up of three [[combat command]]s referred to as Combat Command A (CCA), Combat Command B (CCB) and a smaller unit called Combat Command Reserve (CCR). Units could be assigned to one of the combat commands at need, creating a very flexible formation.<ref name="Leach">Leach, Charles R; In Tornado's Wake Argus, 1956 {{ISBN|0-89839-176-8}}</ref>

[[Image:Basictraining wwii.jpg|thumb|US Infantrymen undergoing rifle instruction]]
During December 1943, the division participated in the D Series of exercises in Texas. The D Series were small scale maneuver problems designed as a precursor to the full scale Sixth Louisiana Maneuver Period. The D Series included exercises to simulate contact with the enemy and included recon, movement to contact, engineering and minefield clearing problems. The 8th completed the D Series and participated in the Sixth Louisiana Maneuver Period from February through April 1944 as part of the Red Force.<ref name="Leach"/>

From the period of April through October 1944, the division conducted post-maneuver training, losing a number of trained personnel to other units and absorbing and training their replacements. At the end of October the 8th received movement orders to Camp Kilmer, New York in preparation for shipment overseas. On 6 November 1944 the division left Camp Kilmer and boarded ships in New Jersey for the United Kingdom. The ships arrived in [[Southampton]] on 18 November and the division moved to [[Tidworth Camp]], joining the newly formed [[Fifteenth United States Army|Fifteenth Army]].<ref name="Leach"/>

===England, France and 'The Bulge'===
After some additional training and acquisition of new equipment at Tidworth, England, the 8th Armored Division landed in France, 5 January 1945, at [[Le Havre]] and [[Rouen]]. The division assembled in the [[Bacqueville]] area of upper [[Normandy]] as part of the (then still secret) [[Fifteenth United States Army|Fifteenth Army]] and was placed in reserve. In mid-January the division was seconded to the [[United States Army Central|Third Army]] and raced {{convert|350|mi|km}} across France through heavy snow and ice to [[Pont-à-Mousson]] to help stem the German drive for [[Strasbourg]], part of the German [[Operation Nordwind]] It was at this point that the division was assigned the call-sign 'Tornado'. A detachment of the 88th Armored Cavalry undertook the division's first combat action – a reconnaissance of the best route to contact with the enemy. The division, finding the enemy already halted and beginning to fall back, took part in the [[United States Army Central|Third Army]] drive against the Moselle-Saar salient. The 8th supported the [[U.S. 94th Infantry Division|94th Infantry Division's]] attack on [[Nennig]], [[Berg, Baden-Württemberg|Berg]] and [[Perl, Saarland|Sinz]], 19–28 January 1945 aimed at reducing the salient between the [[Saar (river)|Saar]] and [[Moselle]] Rivers.<ref name="Leach"/>

===Belgium and The Netherlands===
[[Image:Ww2-113.jpg|thumb|US soldiers in the Netherlands, January 1945, showing the conditions men of the 8th had to contend with in their march across France and the Low Countries.]]
Nennig and Berg were defended by elements of the [[German 11th Panzer Division]]; specifically the 110th, 111th and elements of the 774th [[Panzer Grenadier]] Regiments. German losses in action against 8th Armored units were 5 [[Panzer IV]] tanks, 72 prisoners and many dead and wounded. 8th Armored losses were 3 [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 Sherman]] tanks, 4 [[M3 Half-track|Half-tracks]] and heavy personnel casualties.<ref name="Leach"/>

From Berg, the 8th continued their advance through [[Perl, Saarland|Sinz]] and more heavy fighting. German losses were 8 tanks, 1 anti-aircraft gun, 1 anti-tank gun and 1 half-track. Division losses were an additional 6 tanks destroyed and 4 disabled as well as heavy personnel casualties. The week's action resulted in the loss of 50% of the personnel the 110th and 111th Panzer-Grenadier Regiments had brought into the Saar-Moselle triangle.<ref name="Leach"/>

The division moved to [[Simpelveld]], the Netherlands for rest and refitting absorbing approximately 200 replacements. The 8th was now part of the [[Ninth United States Army|Ninth Army]] and continued refitting and replacing losses during the first half of February 1945. On 19 February the division moved to [[Roermond]], the Netherlands to relieve the [[British 7th Armoured Division]] in the vicinity of [[Echt, Netherlands|Echt]] and launched a diversionary attack as part of [[Operation Grenade]], pushing the enemy north of the Heide woods and east of the [[Roer River]].<ref name="Leach"/>

===The Roer to the Rhine===
On 27 February, 8th Armored crossed the [[Roer River]] via the [[Hückelhoven|Hilfarth]] Bridge which had been captured by the 35th Infantry Division. CCA headed for the town of Wegberg. CCB moved through [[Sittard]], [[Gangelt]], [[Geilenkirchen]], [[Heinsberg|Randerath]], and [[Hückelhoven|Brachelen]] to arrive at the Hilfarth Bridge and crossed after CCA. CCA tanks and infantry destroyed fifteen [[Bunker#Pillbox|pillbox]]es, captured [[Wegberg|Tetelrath]], and crossed the [[Schwalm (Meuse)|Schwalm]] river while CCB attacked and captured the towns of [[Wegberg|Arsbeck]] and [[Niederkrüchten|Ober Kruchten]].<ref name="Leach"/>

On 2 March – CCA captured [[Lobberich]], moved through the 35th Inf. Div. and secured the town of [[Wachtendonk]] at the confluence of [[Niers|Niers River]] and [[Nette (Niers)|Nette River]]. Co. C of the 53rd Engineers worked through the night to bridge the Niers River which was holding up the advance on [[Moers]].<ref name="Leach"/>

3 March CCB moved through CCA area and captured [[Kerken|Aldekerk]] while CCR captured [[Kempen (Germany)|Saint Hubert]], Vinnbruck and Saelhuysen in their advance toward Moers. The Division received orders to cease forward movement as it was 'pinched out' by the 35th Inf. on the right and the 84th Inf. on the left.<ref name="Leach"/>

CCB was detached and assigned to the 35th Inf. Div. so an attack could be mounted in the direction of [[Rheinberg]] and [[Wesel]] to prevent the Germans from crossing the [[Rhine]] River. CCB attacked [[Kamp-Lintfort|Lintfort]] and Rheinberg with the 35th. Heavy fighting, primarily against the 130th Panzer Division, took place in and around Rheinberg resulting in 199 divisional casualties and the loss of 41 tanks while the Germans suffered 350 men killed and 512 taken prisoner. The area (nicknamed '88 Lane') was under direct anti-tank and heavy artillery fire so each house had to be cleared by dismounted infantry. By 7 March a foothold was secured at Grunthal, a road crossing (B 57/B 58) in the vicinity of [[Alpen, Germany|Alpen]].<ref name="Leach"/>

The same day the [[US 9th Armored Division]] captured a bridge over the Rhine at [[Remagen]]. The 130th Panzer Division was pulled out of the [[Wesel]] area and moved south to counterattack. By 9 March CCB of the 8th secured the town of [[Rheinberg|Ossenberg]] as well as the towns of [[Rheinberg|Borth]] and [[Rheinberg|Wallach]]. CCB was relieved at 2400 and ordered to the Venlo, the Netherlands, rest area, the relief being completed on 10 and 11 March.<ref name="Leach"/>

The division was assigned to cleanup operations in the rear areas of the Rhineland which had been bypassed during the movement to the Rhine River. During this period the division became the first US or British unit to uncover the existence of the secret [[Werwolf]] organization when several cleverly camouflaged bunkers were discovered, each containing 12 to 15 fully equipped German soldiers.<ref name="Leach"/>

On 22 March division artillery units moved into firing positions in preparation for the assault on the east bank of the Rhine River as part of [[Operation Plunder]]. On 23 March all artillery units commenced firing over 130,000 rounds preceding the initial crossing of the Rhine River to be made by the 30th Infantry Division.<ref name="Leach"/>

===The Rhine to the Ruhr===
[[Image:8th shrm.jpg|thumb|8th Armored M4A3 76(w) HVSS Sherman Tank]]
On 24 March 18 Tank Bn of the 8th Armored Division was ferried across in support of the 30th Infantry prior to the Division's crossing. An 18th tank was the first across the Rhine in the 9th Army area and assisted in the capture of [[Spellen]], the first town captured east of the Rhine by 9th Army. The division was the first armored division to cross the Rhine in the 9th Army area, crossing at bridge sites 'G' and 'H'.<ref name="Leach"/>

The 8th received orders on 27 March to secure the road running from Hamm to [[Soest, Germany|Soest]]. CCA attacked on the left flank and captured [[Im Loh]] then moved on to bypass [[Dorsten]]. Heavy house to house fighting slowed the attack. New orders were received late in the next day to capture Dorsten so that the [[Lippe River]] could be bridged allowing armor to move northward.<ref name="Leach"/>

In the meantime, CCR, located near [[Bruckhausen]] launched an attack on [[Zweckel]] and [[Kirchhellen]] to the south on 28 March. The 116th Panzer Division was defending both and the approaches had been heavily mined. CCR captured Zweckel in the afternoon and launched an attack on Kirchellen which was secured by nightfall. An advance unit of the 80th Tank battalion that had been surrounded in Kirchellen since early that morning was relieved.<ref name="Leach"/>

CCA captured Dorsten early the next morning and CCB moved in to secure the area so CCA could join CCR in their advance to the east towards the town of [[Marl]]. Marl was cleared by nightfall. CCA then swung southeast from Dorsten heading for [[Polsum]]. CCR attacked and captures the towns of [[Scholven]] and [[Feldhausen]]. On 29 March the German 180th Volks Grenadier Division and the 116th Panzer Division withdrew and set up new defensive lines running through the fortress town of [[Recklinghausen]].<ref name="Leach"/>

CCR crossed the [[Rappholtz-Muhlen Canal]] on 30 March and captured [[Buer-Hassel]]. Co. C, 53 Armored Engineers built a bridge across the canal in just 44 minutes. The next day CCR captured [[Kolonie Bertlich]]. Heading east, it passed through [[Westerholt]] and [[Langenbochum]], engaging the German defenses in Recklinghausen only {{convert|2500|yd}} away.<ref name="Leach"/>

On 31 March the division was relieved by units of the 75th Inf. Div. The 8th crossed the [[Lippe River]], and assembled at [[Selm]]. The 8th received orders on 1 April from [[XIX Corps (United States)|XIX Corps]] to set up two spearheads for an attack to the east, the 2nd Armored and 30th Infantry in one and the 8th Armored and 83rd Infantry in the other. CCA was assigned to attack [[Delbrück]], CCB to attack [[Paderborn]].<ref name="Leach"/>

The 8th launched its attack on schedule but CCB was soon stalled by fierce German resistance at [[Paderborn#Division of the town|Neuhaus]]. On 3 April [[Ground attack aircraft|fighter-bombers]] (known as Jabos by the troops) of the US 9th Air Corps provided close air support in the [[Teutoburg Forest]] and Neuhaus areas. CCR and moved up to attack [[Elsen]] to help CCB repel a strong German counterattack launched from [[Sennelager]]. CCA attacked Sennelager directly in an attempt to reduce a German strongpoint.<ref name="Leach"/>

At the end of 3 April the division was relieved by the 83rd Inf. Div. and received orders to attack towards the west to help reduce the [[Ruhr Pocket]].<ref name="Leach"/>

===Ruhr Pocket===
[[Image:Remagen enclosure.jpg|thumb|US soldier guarding German prisoners taken during the Ruhr Pocket Battle]]

The success of the Rhine crossing operations by Allied forces encircled approximately 430,000 German soldiers of [[Army Group B]] comprising 21 divisions of the [[Wehrmacht]], trapping them in an area that came to be known as the [[Ruhr Pocket]]. The [[Twelfth United States Army Group|Twelfth Army Group]] was tasked with reducing the pocket.<ref name="Whiting">Whiting, Charles, ''The Battle of the Ruhr Pocket'', Random, 1970 {{ISBN|0-345-21438-2}}</ref>

On 3 April 8 turned 180 degrees in response to orders into the Ruhr Pocket and CCR attacked west toward [[Recklinghausen]]. CCR captured the towns of [[Stripe, Germany|Stripe]] and [[Norddorf]], and continued through [[Vollinghausen]], [[Oberhagen]], and [[Ebbinghausen]] before stopping for the night in front of [[Horne, Germany|Horne]]. The next day CCA attacked [[Erwitte]]. The US 9th Air Force continued to provide close air support as the division continued into the Ruhr Pocket through heavy fighting in the [[Lippstadt]] area.<ref name="Leach"/>

Col. Wallace, the commander of CCR, was captured by German forces during the night of 4 April. On 5 April Col. Vesely assumed command of CCR and continued to attack westward capturing the towns of Horne, [[Klieve]], [[Schmerlacke]] and [[Serlinghausen]]. At the end of the day, CCB relieved CCR and attacked westward toward [[Soest, Germany|Soest]]; capturing the towns of [[Schallen]] and [[Lohne, Germany|Lohne]] while CCA continued attacking south capturing the towns of [[Anroechte]], [[Mensel]], [[Drewer]], and [[Altenruthen]]. On 6 April, CCB made a {{convert|25|mi|km|adj=on}} 'end run' around Soest to the outskirts of [[Ost Onnen]] to cut off a German breakout path from the Ruhr pocket.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="Whiting"/>

While CCB blocked the German withdrawal near Ost Onnen, CCA cleared the area north of the [[Moehne River]] so [[military glider|glider]] troops could be landed in case of a break-out attempt in that area. They captured the towns of [[Wamel]], [[Brullinggsen]], [[Ellingsen]], and [[Warstein#Division of the town|Westendorf]]. CCR, in the meantime, outposted all roads northeast of Soest to facilitate an attack on the town by the 94th Inf. Div.<ref name="Leach"/>

On 7 April the eastward movement of the [[US 2nd Armored Division]] and the westward movement of the 8th Armored created a gap of {{convert|180|mi|km}} between the two fronts. This would allow German forces to briefly cut off the US 2nd Armored.<ref name="Leach"/> Troop A, 88th Reconnaissance Squadron captured the [[Moehne Talsperre Dam]] on the 7th to prevent the Germans from flooding the [[Moehne Valley]]. CCB began an attack on [[Werl]] in the afternoon and captured [[Gerlingen]]. The burgomeister of Ost Onnen surrendered the town later that day. The following day CCR moved to secure the road between Werl and [[Wickede]] and captured the towns of [[Parsit]], [[Bremen (city)|Bremen]], [[Vierhausen]], [[Schluckingen]] and [[Wiehagen]] capturing 238 German soldiers, 1 [[Tiger I|Tiger tank]], and 3 88&nbsp;mm anti-tank guns. CCB captured Werl by late afternoon after heavy resistance during the day. They then captured [[Ost Buederich]] by the end of the day.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="Whiting"/>

By 9 April, The threat of a German breakout had passed due to the buildup of allied troops in the area. CCB moved on [[Unna]] capturing [[Holtun]] and [[Hemmerude]]. The following day CCB continued the attack on Unna and captured [[Lernen]]. A ten-minute air strike was laid on Unna to soften it up. The Germans moved reinforcements, including [[Hitler Youth]] into Unna from the [[Muelhausen]] garrison.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="Whiting"/>

On 10 April CCR advanced {{convert|7000|yd}} in fierce fighting and secured [[Stentrop]], [[Bausenhagen]], [[Scheda]], [[Beutrap]] [[Wemen]], and [[Fromern]]. The following day CCA joined the attack on Unna and CCB went into reserve. CCB had suffered 198 casualties this period. The next day CCR captured [[Hohenheide]] and [[Fröndenberg]] after an air strike drove 4 German tanks out of the town. The town of [[Billmerich]] was also captured. Unna finally fell that afternoon after another air strike. The Germans lost 160 personnel, 2 tanks and a battery of 88's. This surrender was the end of organized resistance from the 116th Panzer Division.<ref name="Leach"/>

CCA continued cleaning up operations in Unna while CCR captured the towns of [[Hengsen]], [[Ostendorf]], Ottendorf, and [[Dellwig]]. CCA was relieved on 13 April and ordered to move east of Unna across the [[Weser River]] to the vicinity of [[Wolfenbüttel]]. CCA had lost 2 tanks, 1 half-track and 1 jeep during these operations. CCB was assigned to protect right flank of the 2nd Armored and the 83rd Inf. Div. as they moved east. They move {{convert|170|mi|km}} to Wolfenbüttel. Later CCR was relieved and ordered to move to the vicinity of [[Denstorf]]. On the drive west, CCR suffered 203 casualties and lost 11 tanks, 3 jeeps, 9 half-tracks. The German forces lost 6 Mark V [[Panther tank]]s, 4 20&nbsp;mm guns, 1 large railroad gun, and 3 tons of small arms.<ref name="Leach"/>

===Central Germany===
[[Image:Ww2 120.jpg|thumb|US Armored Infantrymen advance past an M4A3 Sherman tank in Central Germany, April 1945]]
After leaving the Ruhr Pocket on 13 April the division moved east. The 8th participated in the liberation of the [[Halberstadt-Zwieberge]] concentration camps near [[Langenstein, Saxony-Anhalt|Langenstein]] (see below). Most of CCB moved on to [[Halberstadt]] with some units remaining in [[Wolfenbüttel]] until the rest of the Division arrived. On 14 April the remaining units of the Division began moving to an assembly area in the vicinity of [[Braunschweig]] with CCA going to Wolfenbüttel and CCR going to [[Denstorf]].<ref name="Leach"/>

For the period of 15–18 April CCB cleared the area near the Hartz Mountains of remnants of the 11th Panzer Army while CCA began moving to [[Seehausen, Altmark|Seehausen]] to support the attack on [[Magdeburg]] by the XIX Corps. CCR moved from Denstorf to Braunschweig and continued screening the rear areas.<ref name="Leach"/>

CCB completed clearing resistance from the edge of Forest [[Heimburg]] south of [[Derenburg]] while units of the 2nd Armored relieved CCR allowing it to move into the vicinity of [[Stroebeck]] in preparation for reducing resistance in [[Blankenburg am Harz|Blankenburg]].
On 19 April CCA was relieved and returned to [[Wernigerode]] from Seehausen where it in turn relieved the 330th Inf. Reg. of the 83rd Inf. Div. CCB moved to [[Westerhausen]] and CCR moved to [[Aspenstedt]] to clear the remaining woods around Blankenburg. The next day the division began to attack Blankenburg. At 1000 hours a 13 plane squadron attacked Blankenburg and immediately afterward the burgomeister was contacted about surrendering after a show of force. By nightfall, most of Blankenburg had surrendered except for a few strongpoints that comprised fanatical resisters unwilling to lay down their arms or soldiers who had not yet received word to surrender.<ref name="Leach"/>

On 21 April CCR cleared the woods south of Blankenburg and linked up with elements of the 1st Inf. Div. of the First Army. By 22 April the last organized resistance ended with the capture of Gen. [[Heinz Kokott]], commanding officer of the 26th Volks Grenadier Div and brother-in-law of Gestapo chief Heinrich Himmler.<ref name="Leach"/>

During the period of 23 April through 8 May the division was assigned an area of 90 kilometers long by 30 kilometers wide and went into occupation duty. Some additional cleanup was required of small pockets of resistance as stragglers were found.<ref name="Leach"/>

===Zwieberge concentration camps===
[[Image:Buchenwald Slave Laborers Liberation.jpg|thumb|Newly liberated inmates of one of the Buchenwald slave-labor subcamps.]]
The 8th liberated Halberstadt-Zwieberge, a subcamp of the [[Buchenwald]] concentration camp, between 12 and 17 April 1945 during its drive through central Germany. The area around the city of Halberstadt housed a number of Buchenwald subcamps that had been established in 1944 to provide labor for the German war effort, including Halberstadt-Zwieberge I and Halberstadt-Zwieberge II. More than 5,000 inmates were incarcerated in these two subcamps, where they were forced to hollow out massive tunnels and build underground factories for [[Junkers]] Aircraft of Aircraft Motors Construction Company, which produced military aircraft.<ref name="Holocaust">[http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/index.php?Type=article&ModuleId=10006149 US Holocaust Museum]</ref>
[[Image:Buchenwald Langenstein Hospital 10114.jpg|thumb|Medical personnel stand outside a school that has been converted into a hospital for concentration camp survivors from Langenstein-Zwieberge. On the left is Cpt. Joseph Lyten, a dentist from the 8th Armored Division medical battalion.]]

Buchenwald administered at least 87 subcamps located across Germany, from Düsseldorf in the Rhineland to the border with the Protectorate of Bohemia and Moravia in the east. Prisoners in the satellite camps were put to work mostly in armaments factories, in stone quarries, and on construction projects. Periodically, prisoners throughout the Buchenwald camp system underwent selection. The SS staff sent those too weak or disabled to continue working to the Bernburg or Sonnenstein killing centers, where they were killed by gas. Other weakened prisoners were killed by phenol injections administered by the camp doctor.<ref name=Holocaust/>

Of interest is that all details regarding the camp were sealed and classified by the US Government; presumably because of the camp's involvement with an improved version of the [[V-1 flying bomb]]. In 1997, the information was declassified through the efforts of a former 8th Armored Division officer, Dr. Bernard Metrick. The records confirmed the role of the division in liberating the camp and the division's flag was added to those on display at the U.S. Holocaust Museum honoring those who liberated the death camps.<ref name="Org"/>

[[Image:8th M26.jpg|thumb|8th Armored M26 Pershing Tank]]
The general end of hostilities unfortunately did not mean the end of casualties for the 8th Armored. On 1 May the 58th Inf. lost two men to snipers who had to be killed since they would not surrender. The next day the 58th Inf. lost an officer and three more men when a powder plant blew up in [[Munchshaf]]. Sabotage was suspected. It is believed that these were the last official wartime casualties of the division.<ref name="Leach"/>

===Post war===
From 8 May through 30 May the division remained on occupation duty and continued to clean up stragglers and small pockets of resistance. On 30 May the division was assigned to Third Army. It was relieved by units of the British Army and began its move to the city of [[Plzeň|Pilsen]] in western [[Czechoslovakia]]. From 1 June through 19 September, many men were sent home under the point system. Those remaining were sent to various I & E (Information and Education) training schools. Very little other training was done.<ref name="Leach"/>

On 19 September the division began the {{convert|600|mi|km|adj=on}} trip to Camp Oklahoma City near [[Rheims]], France, for deployment home. On 26 October the division traveled {{convert|180|mi|km}} from Camp Oklahoma City to Camp Phillip Morris at Le Havre, France, and the division was officially dismounted. The division was inactivated on 13 November 1945 at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia by Gen. Charles F. Colson.<ref name="Leach"/>

There is an official 8th Armored Division memorial at the American Cemetery in the city of [[Margraten]], The Netherlands<ref name="Org">[http://www.8th-armored.org/ 8th Armored Division Association]</ref>

===Casualties===
*'''Total battle casualties:''' 2,011<ref name="Nonbattle Deaths 1953">Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths, Final Report (Statistics and Accounting Branch, Office of the Adjutant General, 1 June 1953)</ref>
*'''Killed in action:''' 393<ref name="Nonbattle Deaths 1953"/>
*'''Wounded in action:''' 1,572<ref name="Nonbattle Deaths 1953"/>
*'''Missing in action:''' 5<ref name="Nonbattle Deaths 1953"/>
*'''Prisoner of war:''' 41<ref name="Nonbattle Deaths 1953"/>

==Nickname==
[[File:8th Armored Division Thundering Herd.png|left|thumb|202x202px|8th Armored Division "Thundering Herd" Insignia]]
The nickname of the 8th Armored Division, the "Thundering Herd", was coined before the division went to Europe in late 1944. It was also known as the "Iron Snake" late in the war, after a correspondent for Newsweek likened the 8th to a "great ironclad snake" as it crossed the Rhine River in late March 1945. The division is also sometimes referred to as Tornado – its wartime tactical call sign.<ref name="USA">[http://www.lonesentry.com/usdivisions/history/armored/division/8th_armored_division.html 8th Armored Division History]</ref>

==Commander==
[[Image:Gen Devine.jpg|thumb|Major General John Devine]]
Major General William Grimes 1942–1944
*Grimes left the division on 6 October 1944 just prior to the division's shipment overseas. Grimes went on to serve as Commandant of the Cavalry School at Fort Riley, Kansas.

Major General [[John M. Devine]] 1944–45
*Devine was personally selected by Gen. Eisenhower to command the 8th Armored. His prior assignment was Commanding General, Combat Command B, 7th Armored Division. He had been in combat continuously from D-Day plus 2 (8 June 1944) when he landed at Normandy as artillery commander of the 90th Infantry Division.<ref name="Leach"/>

== Composition ==
The division was composed of the following units:<ref>{{cite web |title=Order of Battle of the US Army - WWII - ETO - 8th Armored Division |url=https://history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/8AD-ETO.htm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109033805/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/8AD-ETO.htm |url-status=dead |archive-date=9 January 2008 |publisher=US Army Center of Military History |access-date=22 May 2020}}</ref>

* Headquarters
* Headquarters Company
* Combat Command A
* Combat Command B
* Combat Command Reserve
* 18th Tank Battalion
* 36th Tank Battalion
* 80th Tank Battalion
* 7th Armored Infantry Battalion
* 49th Armored Infantry Battalion
* 58th Armored Infantry Battalion
* Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 8th Armored Division Artillery
** 398th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
** 399th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
** 405th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
* 88th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized)
* 53rd Armored Engineer Battalion
* 148th Armored Signal Company
* Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 8th Armored Division Trains
** 130th Ordnance Maintenance Battalion
** 78th Armored Medical Battalion
** Military Police Platoon
** Band

==Unit commanders 24 October 1944==
Combat command organization, 1944–45

Combat Command A: Col. Charles F. Colson<br>
7th Armored Infantry Battalion: Lt. Col. A. D. Poinier<br>
18th Tank Battalion: Lt. Col. G. B. Goodrich<br>
398th Arm'd Field Artillery Battalion: Lt. Col R. H. Dawson<ref name="Org"/>

Combat Command B: Col. Edward A. Kimball<br>
49th Armored Infantry Battalion: Lt. Col. M. G. Roseborough<br>
36th Tank Battalion: Lt. Col. J. H. Van Houten<br>
399th Arm'd Field Artillery Battalion: Lt. Col. R. M. Lilly<ref name="Org"/>

Combat Command R: Col. Robert J. Wallace<br>
58th Armored Infantry Battalion: Maj. George Artman<br>
80th Tank Battalion: Maj. A. E. Walker<br>
405th Arm'd Field Artillery Battalion: Lt. Col. William McLynn<ref name="Org"/>

Service battalions:<br>
(attached by companies to Combat Commands)<br>
53rd Armored Engineer Battalion: Lt. Col. E. T. Podufaly<br>
78th Armored Medical Battalion: Lt. Col. P. D. Marx<br>
88th Armored Reconnaissance Battalion: Lt. Col. T. B. Harrington<br>
130th Armored Ordnance Battalion: Lt. Col. I. O. Drewry. Jr.<br>
148th Armored Signal Company: Capt W. C. Jackson<br>
508th CIC Detachment: Lt. A. J. Stanchick<br>
Division Trains: Col. Y. D. Vesely<br>
Division Artillery: Col. W. H. Holt<br>
American Red Cross Field Director: Henry J. Broemsen<br>
Military Police Platoon: Maj. W. H. Burger<ref name="Org"/>

Temporarily attached units<br>
473rd AAA AW (SP) Battalion<br>
[[809th Tank Destroyer Battalion]]<ref name="Org"/>

Strength and casualties
*Total Authorized Strength: 10,937
*Total battle casualties: 2,011
*Total deaths in battle: 469<ref name=USA/>

==Armor==
The primary striking force of the Armored Division was the tank. The 8th was composed of 3 tank battalions:
*18th, 36th & 80th [[Tank]] Battalions<ref name="Leach"/>

Each battalion comprised approximately 80 tanks and was organized as a headquarters unit and 6 companies:
*a Headquarters Company,
*a Service Company and
*4 tank companies referred to as A, B, C and D companies<ref name="zaloga">Zaloga, Steven, ''US Armored Divisions: The European Theater of Operations 1944–1945 (Battle Orders)'', Osprey, 2004</ref>

The headquarters unit was made up of the battalion command team and their vehicles; 3 [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 Sherman]] tanks (usually not used and held as a reserve) and various peeps (World War II US Armored divisions called the [[jeep]] a 'peep') and similar vehicles.<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Headquarters Company (HQ Co)===
The HQ Co was usually made up of:
*1 platoon of 3 [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 Sherman]] tanks
*1 platoon of 3 M4A3105 Sherman tanks.
**These were M4A3's fitted with a 105&nbsp;mm cannon and used as an [[assault gun]].<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Service Company===
The Service Company contained special units like:
*Tank retrievers for recovering damaged tanks
*Tanks with plows and flails for clearing obstacles
*Medical Units<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Tank companies===
[[Image:Sherman Tank WW2.jpg|thumb|M4A3E8 105 Assault Gun]]
Companies A, B and C generally consisted of 17 medium tanks as follows:
*3 platoons of 5 [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 Sherman]] tanks
*1 M4A3 105 tank
*1 M4A3 tank for the company commander.<ref name="zaloga"/>

Company D consisted of 17 light tanks:
*3 platoons of 5 [[Stuart tank|M5A1]] Stuart tanks
*1 section of 2 M5A1 Stuart tanks
Shortly after arriving in Europe, the 8th swapped its M5A1 tanks for the newer, more powerful [[M24 Chaffee]] light tank.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="zaloga"/>

The [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 76]] were M4A3 Shermans tanks fitted with a more powerful 76&nbsp;mm cannon. Later in the war, more M4A3 76 tanks were added to the tank companies as replacements for older or damaged units. The 8th, along with many of the other armored units arriving in Europe in late 1944, was equipped with all 76&nbsp;mm armed Shermans.<ref name="milhis">{{Cite web |url=http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/usarmy/tanktypes.aspx |title=MilitaryHistoryOnline.com – US Army in World War II |access-date=4 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070125114212/http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/usarmy/tanktypes.aspx |archive-date=25 January 2007 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The M4A3E8 76 or 'Easy Eight' version of the Sherman was also used by the 8th as it became available. In April 1945 the 8th began receiving the new [[M26 Pershing]]. None of the 8th Armored Pershing tanks engaged in combat before the close of hostilities.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="zaloga"/>

==Armored infantry==
Early experience with armored warfare in the First World War made it clear that tanks could not fight in isolation. It was essential that tanks be supported by infantry. The [[Mechanized infantry|Armored Infantry]] was developed to fill that role.<ref name="Zaloga2">Zaloga, Steven, ''M3 Infantry Half-Track 1940–73'', Osprey, 1995</ref>

The 8th was composed of 3 armored infantry battalions:
*7th, 49th & 58th Armored Infantry Battalions<ref name="Leach"/>

Each battalion was organized as follows:
*A battalion headquarters Unit
*1 Headquarters Co (HQ Co)
*3 armored infantry companies referred to as A,B and C Companies
*1 Service Company<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="zaloga"/>

The battalion headquarters unit was made up of the battalion command team and their vehicles; 2 – 3 [[M2 Half Track Car|M2A1]] or [[M3 Half-track|M3A1 Half-tracks]] and various [[jeep]]s or similar vehicles.<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Headquarters Company (HQ Co)===
[[Image:M3halftrack.jpg|thumb|M4 mortar carrier]]
The HQ Co was usually made up of:
*An HQ platoon comprising the battalion staff and their vehicles; 2 – 3 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1 Half-tracks]] and various [[jeep]]s or similar vehicles.<ref name="zaloga"/>
*A machine gun platoon with 6 [[M1917 Browning machine gun|M1917A1 Heavy Machine Guns]], 3 [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2 Heavy Machine guns]], their crews (30 men total) and 3 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1 Half-tracks]]<ref name="zaloga"/>
*A mortar platoon with 3 M4 mortar carriers (made up of an [[M1 Mortar|81mm mortar]] mounted in a [[M2 Half Track Car|M2A1]] half-track and designed to fire over the rear of the vehicle) and their crews (30 men total)<ref name="zaloga"/>
*An [[assault gun]] platoon of 3 [[M4 Sherman|M4A3 105]] tanks
*A Recon Platoon of 6 [[jeeps]]

===Rifle companies===
The battalion was made of 3 armored infantry companies: A, B and C which in turn were made up of:
*A Headquarters Platoon comprising the platoon staff and their vehicles: 2 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1 Half-tracks]].<ref name="zaloga"/>
*3 Rifle platoons of 36 riflemen divided into 3 squads of 12, 2 [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919A4]] medium Machine Guns and their crews, 1 [[M1 Mortar|60mm mortar]] and its crew and the platoon's vehicles: 5 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1 Half-tracks]].<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Service Company===
The Service Company was made up of:
*A Headquarters Platoon comprising the platoon staff and their vehicles: 2 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftracks]].<ref name="zaloga"/>
*An Anti-tank platoon with 9 bazooka rocket launchers, their crews (30 men in total) and their vehicles: 3 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftracks]].<ref name="zaloga"/>
*Medical units
*Other support units

Early in the war, the anti-tank platoon would have included a 37&nbsp;mm anti-tank cannon but by the time the 8th entered combat in late 1944 the 37&nbsp;mm was deemed ineffective against German armor and was discarded from the TO & E.<ref name="zaloga"/>

The primary weapon of the armored infantryman was the [[M1 Garand rifle]]. Crew-served weapon crewmen were usually armed with the [[M1911 Colt pistol|M1911A1]] pistol or the [[M1 carbine|M1 Carbine]] as a personal weapon. The armored infantrymen were not issued the [[M1918 Browning Automatic Rifle|Browning Automatic Rifle]] as each rifle platoon contained 2 [[M1919 Browning machine gun|M1919A4]] medium machine guns as well as the 4 M1919A4's and 1 [[M2 Browning machine gun|M2]] mounted on the platoon's halftracks. These machine guns could be dismounted and used as needed.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="zaloga"/>

==Armored field artillery==
The third side of the armored division's offensive triangle was the armored field artillery. The 8th Armored Division included the:
*398th, 399th & 405th Armored [[Field Artillery]] Battalions<ref name="Leach"/>
<!-- Unsourced image removed: [[Image:M7priest.jpg|thumb|{{Deletable image-caption|29 May 2007|date=May 2012}} M7 105 mm Self-Propelled Gun]] -->
Each battalion comprised 18 self-propelled cannon and supporting vehicles. The battalion was broken down into 5 batteries and usually organized as:
*1 Headquarters Battery
*3 firing batteries referred to as A, B and C Batteries
*1 Service Battery<ref name="zaloga"/>

===Headquarters Battery (HQ Bat)===
The HQ Bat was usually made up of:
*1 Command Section of 3 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftracks]] and 1 ¼ Ton Truck
*2 observation sections of 1 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftrack]], 1 ¼ Ton truck and 1 [[Stinson L-5]] 
Observation Airplane each.
*3 M4A3 76 F.O. Forward Observer tanks, referenced as FO1, FO2 and FO3. These reported to the three armored artillery battalions, respectively. When not needed as direct observers, they were employed in their secondary roles as fighting tanks. Their crews reflected their FO role by the addition of an officer/observer who took command when not in an active tank combat situation.<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="arty">{{cite web|title=275th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Association Home Page |url=http://geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Creek/7185/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091020052758/http://geocities.com/EnchantedForest/Creek/7185/ |archive-date=20 October 2009 |url-status=dead |df=dmy }}</ref>

===Firing battery===
Batteries A, B and C consisted of 6 self-propelled guns and supporting vehicles broken out as follows:
*2 sections of 3 [[M7 Priest|M7 105 mm]] self-propelled guns and 3 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftracks]] and 1 ¼ Ton Truck
*1 Headquarters Section with 1 [[M3 Half-track|M3A1Halftrack]] and 1 ¼ Ton Truck<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="arty"/>

===Support Battery===
The Support Battery comprised:
*1 Service Section with 1 2½ Ton Truck and 1 ¼ Ton Truck
*1 Medical Section<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="arty"/>

==Reconnaissance==
Reconnaissance in the armored divisions was performed by the Armored Reconnaissance Battalion in the old style heavy division or by the Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized in the light divisions such as the 8th.

These units were identical, except that the battalion was organized as companies, while the squadron as troops (although the light tank unit was a company in either organization).<ref name="Anderson">[http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/wwii/usarmy/cavalry.aspx Military History Online – US Army in World War II]</ref>

*The 88th [[Armored Cavalry]] Recon Squadron served with the 8th Armored Division.
[[Image:M8 armored car side view.jpg|thumb|An armored cavalry unit on reconnaissance]]

The squadron was organized in troops and equipped as follows:

===HQ Troop===
*10 [[Jeep]]s
*4 [[M8 Greyhound|M8]] Armored Cars

===Troops A, B, C & D===
*12 [[M8 Greyhound|M8]] Armored Cars
*23 [[Jeep]]s

===Troop E===
*8 [[M8 HMC]] [[assault gun]]s

===Company F===
*17 [[Stuart tank|M5A1]] tanks (Later [[M24 Chaffee]])<ref name="Leach"/><ref name="Anderson"/>

Recon units were often supported by tank destroyer units, in the case of the 8th the [[809th Tank Destroyer Battalion]]. The 809th used the [[M18 Hellcat]] 76&nbsp;mm GMC.

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/8tharmored/ Tornado! The Story of the 8th Armored Division (WWII unit history booklet, 1945)]
*[http://www.8th-armored.org/ 8th Armored Division Association]
*[http://www.ushmm.org/wlc/en/index.php?Type=article&ModuleId=10006149 US Holocaust Museum]
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/usdivisions/history/armored/division/8th_armored_division.html 8th Armored Division History]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20010109123200/http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/8AD-ETO.htm US Army History of the 8th]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20080109033805/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/eto-ob/8AD-ETO.htm Order of Battle: 8th Armored Division]

{{Army Divisions (United States)}}

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[[Category:Armored divisions of the United States Army|08]]
[[Category:United States Army divisions during World War II|Armored Division, U.S. 08]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1942]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in the United States]]
[[Category:1942 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1945]]