NAME:
Seventieth Infantry Division / 70th Division
NICKNAME:
"Trailblazer Division"
BATTLE HONORS:
Ardennes-Alsace
Rhineland
Central Europe
ACTIVATED:
June 15, 1943
DEACTIVATED:
Oct 11, 1945
PATCH HISTORY:
The division insignia consists of a white ax, a snowy mountain, and a green fir tree on a red background. The white ax is in recognition of the pioneers who travelled the Oregon Trial to the Willamette Valley, site of Camp Adair where the greater part of the division's training was accomplished' the snowy mountain represents Oregon's Mt. Hood; and the green fir tree finds its origin in the insignia of the 91st Division, from which the cadre of the 70th Division was drawn.
From: http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/70ID-ETO.htm
HISTORY:
World War II
Activated: 15 June 1943.
Overseas: Task Force Herren-Dec. 1944; Support Troops-8 January 1945.
Campaigns: Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, Central Europe.
Days of combat: 86.
Distinguished Unit Citations: 1.
Awards: DSC-12; SS-228 (4 clusters); LM-7; SM-16; BS-430 (14 clusters); Military Cross (UK)-1; AM-20; Meritorious Unit Citation-3.
Commanders: Maj. Gen. John E. Dahlquist (June 1943-July 1944), Maj. Gen. Allison J. Barnett (July 1944-July 1945), Brig. Gen. Thomas W. Herren (July 1945 to inactivation).
Returned to U.S.: 10 October 1945.
Inactivated: 11 October 1945.
Combat Chronicle
The three infantry regiments of the 70th Infantry Division landed at Marseille, France, 10-15 December 1944, and were formed into Task Force Herren before the arrival of the remainder of the Division on 18 January 1945. Task Force Herren took over defensive positions along the west bank of the Rhine, 28 December 1944, in the vicinity of Bischweiler, south of Haguenau Forest. Elements took part in the fight to stop the German winter offensive, and struck at the enemy at Phillipsbourg and at Wingen. In mid-January 1945, the Task Force moved to an area directly south of Saarbrucken, where it carried out reconnaissance and combat patrols, and improved defensive positions. Upon the arrival of the remainder of the Division, Task Force Herren was dissolved.
Patrolling and combat raids continued as preparations were made for an offensive drive in mid-February. On 17 February 1945, the attack jumped off just below the Saar River. The 70th drove onto high ground overlooking Saarbrücken, smashed into Forbach, took Stiring-Wendel, and continued across the Saar to take Saarbrücken, 20 March 1945. Pushing through Siegfried Line defenses along the north bank of the Saar, the Division took Völklingen and other Saarland cities and towns. In April it took part in the reduction of the Saar Basin, and after VE-day was engaged in occupational duties, with CP's at Otterberg, Bad Kreuznach, Frankfurt, and Oranienstein.
Assignments in the ETO
20 December 1944: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
28 December 1944: VI Corps.
3 February 1945: XV Corps.
25 February 1945: XXI Corps.
22 March 1945: Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
31 March 1945: 12th Army Group.
8 April 1945: Third Army, 12th Army Group.
Divisional history from:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/US_70th_Infantry_Division
http://www.trailblazersww2.org/divisionhis...ion_history.htm
.
