[Retain Mike]

This letter will be my contribution to Memorial Day. My sources list 65 infantry divisions, but I added the cavalry and mountain divisions to get to a 67 total. My motivation for the letter and what I have a hard time understanding is the casualty rate in those assault divisions. However, I trust my sources and I have done the math several times.

The corps and army commanders had favorites and used them repeatedly. Other divisions were always sent to less active sectors or occupied a flank in a breakout.

Thank you in advance. I know I can expect a good review with suggestions when I post to Free Republic.

[yarddog]

I guess they are what we now commonly call, “the point of the spear”. I recall Churchill seeing that the Russians had a 9 to 1 ratio of fighters to support troops. He recalled that Montgomery had just about the exact opposite.

Still as Patton once said, an Army is a team and everyone is important, from the guy who washes the pans to keep the soldiers from getting sick to the combat soldiers. They all have to perform.

[Graewoulf]

Thank you for posting this.

[Gay State Conservative]

Outstanding writeup.Many thanks!

[henkster]

I have a nice short book from the immediate post war period called “Fighting Divisions.” It contains brief unit histories of every United States combat divsion. I’m sure it’s no longer in print but it’s a nice quick reference.

[jmacusa]

The 1st. Infantry Division(’The Big Red One’’) was also in the D-Day landings.

[Gamecock]

What about Infantry organic to Armored Divisions?

There were what, 20 Armored Divisions?

[Pikachu_Dad]

You mean quiet sectors like Bastogne and the Ardennes during the battle of ‘the bulge’...

Sometimes great units were put in quiet sectors to recover... Only they end up being very hot.

Good article! Just picking at ya.

[ansel12]

Fighting Germans, now that is a nightmare.

[bandleader]

On D-Day The 29th landed with”The Big Red One”at Omaha!The Fourth at Utah!!Patton had some favorites like The 90th and The 35th.He spoke to these men as often as he could and encouraged and congratulated them.To Patton,The Infantry WAS The Army!!!

[Nifster]

Ernie Pyle... a true inspiration.

To all who served Thank you for my freedom....regardless of when or where. You have my heart

[familyop]

Thank you.

[Mr. Dough]

Thanks for posting this. I picked up a used copy of Brave Men and read it about 20 years ago, and it really opened my eyes to a lot. Got Omar Bradley’s book and read it about that time too. Regular guys did amazing things, not because they were looking for an adventure.

[fabian]

Very brave men...I think the frontal assault on D-day was crazy though and an awful slaughter of many great men. I understand that Joseph Stalin was pushing hard for that invasion.

[Jack Hammer]

I hope we’re not forgetting the Marine Corps....

[fortheDeclaration]

Thank you for posting!

[mouske]

Thanks for the article. I recently read an internet article written by a soldier describing his experience in the Battle of the Bulge. I recognized his units, 2nd Infantry Div. and 38th Infantry Regiment, as units that my dad was in. The author mentioned that he fired bazookas and 81 mm mortars, which was my dad’s MOS.

I knew that it was a long shot, but I wondered if maybe, just maybe, he knew my dad. To make a long story short, I was able to find an address for the author, sent him a letter, and received a reply. He knew my dad and gave me the name and address of another man in the same unit who was in the same mortar crew as my dad!

I have since had several phone conversations with the 2 men. The second man sent me a picture in which he is standing right next to my dad. That is the only picture of my dad that I have. The picture was taken in Pilson, Czechoslovakia in 1945. It is a treasure to me since my parents were divorced when I was very young, so I didn’t really know my dad, although I had met him when I went to his home and introduced myself when I received my draft notice. Surprisingly, he knew who I was when he answered the door. I visited him a few times after I got out of the army, but he never discussed his military experiences.

My dad died in 1981 and I was presented the flag that covered his casket for the military funeral. I was so honored. I am very proud of him, and I am proud to be his son.

But what an incredible set of circumstances for me to actually be able to talk to two men who served with, and remembered, my dad. It truly was a long shot.

[Tallguy]

Nearly a third of those 67 divisions suffered 100% or more casualties. However, regimental staffs saw their frontline units obliterated three to six times over. To deal with this problem there were never enough infantrymen coming from the states. Replacement centers continually reassigned artillerymen, machine gunners, cooks, and clerks to infantryman duties. The situation in Europe became so severe that rear area units in France and Great Britain were tasked to supply soldiers for retraining as infantrymen.

Keep this in mind the next time somebody tries to tell you that we should have extended the war by marching on Moscow. As a practical matter our divisions (as well as those of our allies) by the Winter of 1944 were operating far below their authorized strength in the all-important category of infantry.

[MileHi]

Would be great to hear from archy on this...