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Changes: 102nd Infantry Division (United States)

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{{Infobox military unit
  
{{Infobox military unit
 
|unit_name= 102nd Infantry Division
  
|unit_name= 102nd Infantry Division
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|image= [[Image:102 INF DIV SSI.svg|200px]]
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|image=102 INF DIV SSI.svg
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|image_size=200px
 
|caption= 102nd Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
  
|caption= 102nd Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
 
|dates= 1942–1946
  
|dates= 1942–1946
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|role= Infantry
  
|role= Infantry
 
|size= Division
  
|size= Division
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|command_structure=
  
 
|garrison=
  
|garrison=
  ⚫
|nickname=''Ozark'' ([[Special Designation]])<ref name = SUD>{{cite web| title = Special Unit Designations| url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html| publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]| date = 21 April 2010| accessdate =9 July 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100709200756/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html| archivedate= 9 July 2010}}</ref>
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|garrison_label=
  
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|equipment=
  
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|equipment_label=
  
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|nickname=''Ozark'' ([[Special Designation]])<ref name = SUD>{{cite web| title = Special Unit Designations| url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html| publisher=[[United States Army Center of Military History]]| date = 21 April 2010| accessdate =9 July 2010| archiveurl= http://web.archive.org/web/20100709200756/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html| archivedate= 09 July 2010}}</ref>
  
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|patron=
  
 
|motto=''Distinction, Valor, Marksmanship''
  
|motto=''Distinction, Valor, Marksmanship''
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|colors=
  
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|colors_label=
  
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|march=
  
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|mascot=
  
 
|battles= [[World War II]]<br>*[[Central Europe Campaign|Central Europe]]
  
|battles= [[World War II]]<br>*[[Central Europe Campaign|Central Europe]]
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|anniversaries=
  
 
|decorations=
  
|decorations=
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|battle_honours=
  
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<!-- Commanders -->
  
 
|current_commander=
  
|current_commander=
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|current_commander_label=
  
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|ceremonial_chief=
  
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|ceremonial_chief_label=
  
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|colonel_of_the_regiment=
  
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|colonel_of_the_regiment_label=
  
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|notable_commanders=
  
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<!-- Insignia -->
  
 
|identification_symbol=[[File:102 Div DUI.png|150px]]
  
|identification_symbol=[[File:102 Div DUI.png|150px]]
 
|identification_symbol_label=Distinctive Unit Insignia
  
|identification_symbol_label=Distinctive Unit Insignia
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|identification_symbol_2=
  
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|identification_symbol_2_label=
  
 
}}
  
}}
 
{{Infobox US infantry
  
{{Infobox US infantry
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==World War II==
  
==World War II==
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*'''Activated''': 15 September 1942 at [[Camp Maxey]], [[Texas]]
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*'''Activated''': 15 September 1942 at [[Camp Maxey]], Texas
 
*'''Overseas''': 12 September 1944
 
*'''Overseas''': 12 September 1944
 
*'''Campaigns''': [[Rhineland Campaign|Rhineland]], [[Central Europe Campaign|Central Europe]]
 
*'''Campaigns''': [[Rhineland Campaign|Rhineland]], [[Central Europe Campaign|Central Europe]]
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===Combat chronicle===
  
===Combat chronicle===
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The 102d Infantry Division arrived at [[Cherbourg]], France, 23 September 1944, and, after a short period of training near [[Valognes]], moved to the German-[[Netherlands]] border. On 26 October, elements attached to other divisions entered combat and on 3 November the division assumed responsibility for the sector from the [[Wurm]] to [[Waurichen]]. A realignment of sectors and the return of elements placed the 102d in full control of its units for the first time, 24 November 1944, as it prepared for an attack to the [[Roer]]. The attack jumped off, 29 November, and carried the division to the river through Welz, Flossdorf, and [[Linnich]].
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The 102d Infantry Division arrived at Cherbourg, France, 23 September 1944, and, after a short period of training near [[Valognes]], moved to the German-Netherlands border. On 26 October, elements attached to other divisions entered combat and on 3 November the division assumed responsibility for the sector from the [[Wurm]] to [[Waurichen]]. A realignment of sectors and the return of elements placed the 102d in full control of its units for the first time, 24 November 1944, as it prepared for an attack to the Roer. The attack jumped off, 29 November, and carried the division to the river through Welz, Flossdorf, and [[Linnich]].
  ⚫
After a period of aggressive patrolling along the Roer, 4–19 December, the division took over the [[XIII Corps (United States)|XIII Corps]] sector from the Wurm River, north of the village of Wurm, to [[Barmen]] on the south, and trained for river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the 102d attacked across the Roer, advanced toward Lövenich and [[Erkelenz]], bypassed [[Mönchengladbach]], took [[Krefeld]], 3 March, and reached the Rhine. During March the division was on the defensive along the Rhine, its sector extending from [[Saarpfalz|Homburg]] south to Düsseldorf. Crossing the river on 9 April on pontoon bridge, the division attacked in the [[Wesergebirge]]<!-- needs checking: the Wesergebirge is a ridge, so the division could "attack the W", but not really "attack into the W". -->, meeting stiff opposition. After 3 days and nights of terrific enemy resistance Wilsede and [[Hessisch-Oldendorf]] fell, 12 April 1945, and the 102d pushed on to the Elbe, meeting little resistance. [[Breitenfeld, Leipzig|Breitenfeld]] fell, 15 April, and the division outposted the Elbe River, 48 miles from Berlin, its advance halted on orders. [[Storkau]] experienced fighting on the 16th,EHRA on the 21st along with [[Fallersleben]]. On 3 May 1945 the 102nd shook hands with the Russian 156th Division just outside of Berlin.
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⚫
After a period of aggressive patrolling along the Roer, 4–19 December, the division took over the [[XIII Corps (United States)|XIII Corps]] sector from the Wurm River, north of the village of Wurm, to [[Barmen]] on the south, and trained for river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the 102d attacked across the Roer, advanced toward Lövenich and [[Erkelenz]], bypassed [[Mönchengladbach]], took [[Krefeld]], 3 March, and reached the [[Rhine]]. During March the division was on the defensive along the Rhine, its sector extending from [[Saarpfalz|Homburg]] south to [[Düsseldorf]]. Crossing the river on 9 April on pontoon bridge, the division attacked in the [[Wesergebirge]]<!-- needs checking: the Wesergebirge is a ridge, so the division could "attack the W", but not really "attack into the W". -->, meeting stiff opposition. After 3 days and nights of terrific enemy resistance Wilsede and [[Hessisch-Oldendorf]] fell, 12 April 1945, and the 102d pushed on to the [[Elbe]], meeting little resistance. [[Breitenfeld, Leipzig|Breitenfeld]] fell, 15 April, and the division outposted the Elbe River, 48 miles from Berlin, its advance halted on orders. [[Storkau]] experienced fighting on the 16th,EHRA on the 21st along with [[Fallersleben]]. On 3 May 1945 the 102nd shook hands with the Russian 156th Division just outside of Berlin.
  
   
 
[[File:Gardelegen Barn.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The barn set on fire in the Gardelegen Massacre]]
  
[[File:Gardelegen Barn.jpg|thumb|right|220px|The barn set on fire in the Gardelegen Massacre]]
   
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On 15 April the division discovered a war crime in [[Gardelegen (war crime)|Gardelegen]]. About 1,200 prisoners were herded into the empty barn measuring approximately a hundred by fifty feet on the outskirts of the town. The barn was then burned down, killing those inside. About 1,016 people were killed. The division commander ordered that the civilian population be forced to view the site and to disinter and rebury the victims in a new cemetery. After digging the graves and burying the bodies, they erected a cross or a Star of David over each grave and enclosed the site with a white fence. <ref>U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. "The Year of 1945 Liberation," Washington, D.C., 1945, pp. 69-70</ref>
 +
On 15 April the division discovered a war crime in [[Gardelegen (war crime)|Gardelegen]]. About 1,200 prisoners were herded into the empty barn measuring approximately a hundred by fifty feet on the outskirts of the town. The barn was then burned down, killing those inside. About 1,016 people were killed. The division commander ordered that the civilian population be forced to view the site and to disinter and rebury the victims in a new cemetery. After digging the graves and burying the bodies, they erected a cross or a Star of David over each grave and enclosed the site with a white fence.<ref>U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. "The Year of 1945 Liberation," Washington, D.C., 1945, pp. 69-70</ref>
   
 
It patrolled and maintained defensive positions until the end of hostilities in Europe, then moved to [[Gotha (district)|Gotha]] for occupational duty.
  
It patrolled and maintained defensive positions until the end of hostilities in Europe, then moved to [[Gotha (district)|Gotha]] for occupational duty.
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==References==
  
==References==
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{{ACMH|| article = The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950| url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cbtchron.html}}
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{{Army Center of Military History|| article = The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950| url = http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cbtchron.html}}
 
{{reflist}}
  
{{reflist}}
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
 
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/102thrugermany/index.html With the 102d Infantry Division through Germany]
  
*[http://www.lonesentry.com/102thrugermany/index.html With the 102d Infantry Division through Germany]
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{{Wikipedia|102nd Infantry Division (United States)}}
   
 
[[Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army|102d Infantry Division, U.S.]]
  
[[Category:Infantry divisions of the United States Army|102d Infantry Division, U.S.]]
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[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946]]
  
[[Category:Military units and formations disestablished in 1946]]
 
[[Category:1942 establishments in the United States]]
  
[[Category:1942 establishments in the United States]]
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{{Wikipedia|{{PAGENAME}}}}
  

Revision as of 12:09, 12 December 2019

102nd Infantry Division
102 INF DIV SSI
102nd Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active 1942–1946
Country United States
Branch United States Army
Role Infantry
Size Division
Nickname(s) Ozark (Special Designation)[1]
Motto(s) Distinction, Valor, Marksmanship
Engagements World War II
*Central Europe
Insignia
Distinctive Unit Insignia 102 Div DUI
 
102nd Infantry Division (United States)

The 102d Infantry Division ("Ozark"[1]) was a unit of the United States Army in World War II.

World War II

  • Activated: 15 September 1942 at Camp Maxey, Texas
  • Overseas: 12 September 1944
  • Campaigns: Rhineland, Central Europe
  • Days of combat: 173
  • Distinguished Unit Citations: 4
  • Awards: DSC-8; DSM-1 ; SS-686; LM-15; SM-39 ; BSM-5,498 ; AM-91.
  • Commanders: Major General John B. Anderson (September 1942-December 1943), Major General Frank A. Keating (8 January 1944 – February 1946), Brigadier General Charles M. Busbee (February 1946 to inactivation).
  • Returned to U.S.: 11 March 1946.
  • Inactivated: 23 March 1946.

Combat chronicle

The 102d Infantry Division arrived at Cherbourg, France, 23 September 1944, and, after a short period of training near Valognes, moved to the German-Netherlands border. On 26 October, elements attached to other divisions entered combat and on 3 November the division assumed responsibility for the sector from the Wurm to Waurichen. A realignment of sectors and the return of elements placed the 102d in full control of its units for the first time, 24 November 1944, as it prepared for an attack to the Roer. The attack jumped off, 29 November, and carried the division to the river through Welz, Flossdorf, and Linnich. After a period of aggressive patrolling along the Roer, 4–19 December, the division took over the XIII Corps sector from the Wurm River, north of the village of Wurm, to Barmen on the south, and trained for river crossing. On 23 February 1945, the 102d attacked across the Roer, advanced toward Lövenich and Erkelenz, bypassed Mönchengladbach, took Krefeld, 3 March, and reached the Rhine. During March the division was on the defensive along the Rhine, its sector extending from Homburg south to Düsseldorf. Crossing the river on 9 April on pontoon bridge, the division attacked in the Wesergebirge, meeting stiff opposition. After 3 days and nights of terrific enemy resistance Wilsede and Hessisch-Oldendorf fell, 12 April 1945, and the 102d pushed on to the Elbe, meeting little resistance. Breitenfeld fell, 15 April, and the division outposted the Elbe River, 48 miles from Berlin, its advance halted on orders. Storkau experienced fighting on the 16th,EHRA on the 21st along with Fallersleben. On 3 May 1945 the 102nd shook hands with the Russian 156th Division just outside of Berlin.

Gardelegen Barn

The barn set on fire in the Gardelegen Massacre

On 15 April the division discovered a war crime in Gardelegen. About 1,200 prisoners were herded into the empty barn measuring approximately a hundred by fifty feet on the outskirts of the town. The barn was then burned down, killing those inside. About 1,016 people were killed. The division commander ordered that the civilian population be forced to view the site and to disinter and rebury the victims in a new cemetery. After digging the graves and burying the bodies, they erected a cross or a Star of David over each grave and enclosed the site with a white fence.[2]

It patrolled and maintained defensive positions until the end of hostilities in Europe, then moved to Gotha for occupational duty.

Assignments in the European Theater of Operations

General

  • Nickname: Ozark Division.
  • Slogan: Distinction, valor, marksmanship.
  • Shoulder patch: A golden "O", "Z" and an arc on a circular blue background.

References

PD-icon This article incorporates public domain material from the United States Army Center of Military History document "The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S. Government Printing Office, 1950".

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Special Unit Designations". United States Army Center of Military History. 21 April 2010. Archived from the original on 9 July 2010. http://web.archive.org/web/20100709200756/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/spdes-123-ra_ar.html. Retrieved 9 July 2010. 
  2. ↑ U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. "The Year of 1945 Liberation," Washington, D.C., 1945, pp. 69-70

External links

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