50th Anniversary: 8th Armored Division — “Tornado” Trained Cadre, Then Raced Across Europe Like a Thundering Herd

50th Anniversary 8th Armored Division “Tornado” Trained Cadre, Then Raced Across Europe Like a Thundering Herd The “Thundering Herd” played a crucial role in World War 11. It provided soldiers for the expansion of the Armored Force, and it later distinguished itself in battle as the “Tornado.”

In 1942, the United States Army was trying rapidly and efficiently to expand its armored forces. High level military planners realized the need for an armored unit to train cadre personnel, who would then form the core of other armored divisions. General Orders Number 19, Headquarters, The Armored Force, officially activated the 8th Armored Division on 1 April 1942, at Fort Knox, Kentucky, as this training division.

On 18 April 1942, BG Grimes, the 8th’ commanding general outlined its mission to the division’s officers: “... to provide complete cadres, officers and enlisted men, for new divisions. The primary purpose is to train, organize and prepare these divisional cadres. We are a training division as distinguished from an active division.”

Throughout April, May, and June, new personnel arrived. Units reached full. strength, and instructors trained. On 13 and 14 June, the individual units received their standards at retreat ceremonies. The “Thundering Herd” remained at Fort Knox until January 1943. During that time, incoming personnel fresh from civilian life rigorously trained in the new concepts of armored warfare. More than 10,000 cadre personnel learned their business Shermans of the 8th AD tire on German positions near Kirchellen, Germany, March 1945 with the 8th and moved on to form cadre of the 9th through the 14th Armored Divisions.

In January 1943, the division moved to Camp Campbell, Kentucky. Almost immediately, the 8th sent more than 4,000 men directly to Tunisia to replace losses suffered by U. S. tankers. The division continued its training mission until February 1943. Then, War Department Training Memorandum Number 2,1943, directed the 8th ARMOR - 45 r to cease training cadre. Officers of the 20th Armmd Division assumed responsibility for their own unit’straining, and the 8th began to train filer replacements for existing units. Early in March 1943, the ‘“lhunder-ing Herd” moved to Fort Polk, Louisiana, and joined the Third Army. Its training mission complete, the 8th began the Mobilization Training Program. By September 1943, it had completed transition to the new “light” armored division. During the next months, the division prepared for combat by participating in field exercises and full scale manuevers in Texas and Louisiana March 1944 brought 1200 replacements straight from civilian universities: they were members of the Army Specialized Training Program. However, a War Department levy tasked the 8th to once again provide replacement fillers. Almost all of the privates and privat- fmt class departed for overseas assignments. That April, the division was reinforced by an influx of former aviation cadets. The 8th spent the rest of spring and summer honing its skills for combat.

On Election Day, 7 November 1944, the “Thundering Herd” sailed out of New York harbor aboard the ships HMT Samaria, USAT George W. Goe-thals, USAT Marine Devil, and the SS St. Cecelia. During the convoy to England, the men of the 8th practiced lifeboat drill, exercised, and studied French or German. On 19 November, the division disembarked at Plymouth and Southampton and quickly moved to Tidworth Barracks. The preparations for war increased intensity. Humorously, the “Thundering Herd” celebrated Thanksgiving Day on the fourth Eriday of November. The frozen turkeys drawn from quartermaster stocks did not thaw in time for the more traditional Thursday holiday. The Division hosted British orphans for Christmas Day 1944, and received reports of the “Battle of the Bulge.” Finally, on New Year’s Day, the divi-r, c 3 8th AD ‘Hellcat“ tank destroyers line a street in Rheinberg. Germany. March 1945. sion received orders to move quickly to the continent.

On 13 January 1945, the 8th Armored Division joined the XX Corps, Third Army, at Pont-a Mousson, France, and received the code name ‘‘Tornado.” Combat Command A assisted the 94th Infantry Division in reducing the German salient between the Moselle and Saar Rivers. After fieme fighting against crack enemy units, the “Thundering Herd” won high praise from MG Walton Walker, XX Corps commander.

On 19 February, the 8th joined the XVI Corps, Ninth Army, and relieved the 7th British Armored Division in the vicinity of Brackterbeek, Holland. Soon after, the division took part in “Operation Grenade” to eliminate enemy resistance west of the Roer River. Once the XVI Corps gained a crossing site, the ‘Thndering Herd” drove on to the Rhine River. Combat Command B assisted the 35th Infantry Division in seizing the Wesel Bridge and Rheinberg. This cut off enemy resistance west of the Rhine. The 8th was the fmt Ninth Army armored unit to cross the Rhine. On 28 March, it attacked east to penetrate German defense along the Rhine-Heme Canal. By 3 April, it had reached Paderbom, Germany. The division then turned southwest and helped reduce enemy resistance in the Ruhr Pocket. There, the division distinguished itself in desperate fighting. On 11 April, the 8th joined the XIX Corps and conducted offensive operations to destroy any resistance in the Harz Mountains. SHAEF announced V-E Day on 8 May 1945 and brought the war in Europe to an official end.

With hostilities concluded, the ‘Thundering Herd” moved to occupation duty in Czechoslovakia There the 8th began a metamorphosis. An Army points system designated men to retum to the states or remain in occupation. Men left for other units, and replacements arrived. On 19 September, the 8th began the long trip home. The USS West Point, USS LaTeune, USS Vulcania Victory, USS Excelsior Victory, USS Norway Victory, and the USS Victory Hood carried the division home.

The 8th Armored Division was deactivated at Camp Patrick Henry, Virginia, on 13 November 1945. This unit history was researched and prepared by CPT John Buckheit during his temporary assignment to ARMOR Magazine in Summer 7 990.

ARMOR -