14th AD, In Seven Months of Combat, Liberated Thousands in Nazi Empire

The 14th Armored Division will celebrate its 50th anniversary this November. The “Liberators” were an active unit for only three years, but played a major role in the liberation of Europe-General Orders, Headquarters, Armored Force, activated the 14th Armored Division on 15 November 1942, at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas. As early as September 1942, the initial cadre for the new division had smed to arrive. At ---.r. _.: 5, e.. \..-.... -b - -.. -? fly.:-...a -,..,.i.

Tanks and infantry of the 14th AD move down a forest bail in Germany. that time, the 6th Armored Division was moving out. As soon as the 6th vacated a building the 14th occupied it. By December 1942, more than 13,000 men joined the cadre to bring the 14th up to full strength. Most of these new men were draftees or enlistees fresh h m civilian life. The “Liberators” included men from every state in the Union. MG V. E. Richard, the 14th’ commander, forcefully stressed that the job of the division was to prepare for combat. Training began immediately. On Christmas Eve 1942, MG Prichard addressed the entire division for the first time. He explained the necessity to work hard and prepare for combat, and he gave the season’s greetings. Then, the “Liberators” celebrated Christmas Day with a dismounted road march and dinner in the World War ii Campaigns Rhineland Atdennes- Alsace Central Europe messhall. Later, they began the new year with a road march and bivouac. For nearly two y m, training would be the sole activity of the 14th. The Mobilization Training Program prescribed the conduct of dl mining. Officers attended the Division Officers Training School. The training plan was progressive, and the “Liberators” steadily grew combat ready. In May 1943, the nearby town of Camp Smith suffered the worst flood in its history. Fields, highways, and houses disappeared under the rising water. Flooding destroyed power lines, water mains. and reservoirs. MG Prichard ordered the division to assist local authorities in a massive rescue and relief effort. The 14th used all wheeled and water-going vehicles to rescue and evacuate stranded families. Soldiers sandbagged bridges, highways. and railroads. Mechanics m generators. Medics established aid stations. Engineers set up water purification points and repaired bridges. The 8th and 11th Armored Divisions sent additional men and equipment to help. Finally, the waters subsided, and the grateful people of Fort Smith offered their thanks.

Once again, the 14th turned its attention to training. Each soldier went through an infantry assault course, an urban assault course, an infilmtion course, and a close combat course.

During free time, the “Libentors” took part in an extensive program of competitive athletics.

In September 1943, the 14th reorganized according to the new light division table of organization. A team from the Armored Force inspected the division in October 1943. The 14th exceeded all expectations. General Gillam, the Armored Command’s commander, expressed his sincere congratulations to the “Liberators” on a job well done. In November 1944, as the 14th moved to the Tennessee manuever ma, the 12th Armored Division moved from the training m a to Camp Chaffee. The “Liberators” cleaned their vehicles and bmcks and turned them over to the 12th. and the division moved by battalion to the training ma, drawing vehicles from the 12th. The division participated in eight consecutive mining problems, living tactically in the field. The “Liberators” spent Thmksgiv-ing, Christmas, and New Year’sin the field, and in Jmuvy 1944, moved to Camp Campbell, Kentucky, just as the World War II Commanders MG Vernon E. Pritchard November 1942 - July 1944 MG Albert C. Smith July 1944 - Deactivation 34 ARMOR - 26th Infantry Division moved out for maneuvers. Quickly, the division settled into their new camp and resumed training. American casualties in Europe mounted, and the 14th had to provide individual trained replacements. New men arrived to bring the unit back up to strength, and soon, the 14th began preparation for overseas movement.

Throughout September 1944, the men of the division carefully packed equipment and sent personal belongings home. Units loaded on trains for New York. By early October 1944, the 14th had closed on Camp Shanks. For about two weeks, the division processed for deployment. The “Liberators” enjoyed classes on boat drill and passes to New York City. Finally, the 14th loaded onto the U. S. S. Santa Rosa, the U. S. S. Le Jeune, the U. S. S. General James Parker, and the U. SA. T. Sea Robin. An additional 14 freighters and Liberty ships carried their equipment. On 14 October 1944, the ships set sail for an unknown destination. Although the ships were crowded and uncomfortable, the voyage was uneventful. On 30 October 1944, the “Liberators** arrived at the southern French port of Marseilles, and two weeks later entered the line at the French-Italian border. In November 1944, the 14th attacked into the Vosges Mountains as part of the U. S. Seventh Army. Despite the rugged temin, and stubborn German resistance, the “Liberators” penetrated to the Alsatian plain, linked up with the 3rd Infantry Division, and cut off the retreat of the defending Germans.

By the morning of 16 December 1944, it combat commands had crossed the Lau-ter River into Germany.

An enemy antitank gun put two shots through this Sherman’s transmission. In late December, 1944, the 14th was ordered to defend an expanded sector, allowing other divisions to move nonh to halt the German offensive into Belgium. On 1 January 1945, the Germans launched a savage, eight-division attack against the thinly spread “Liberators.” Sup port personnel served as infantry, supported by anti-aircraft guns. Isolated outposts held key road junctions against overwhelming odds. After much vicious fighting in harsh weather, the 14th gave ground but held the line. Then, the division counterattacked to relieve the hard pressed 79th Infantry Division and push the Germans back.

In February 1945, the 14th assumed a defensive posture for rehabilitation. Much-needed replacements and new equipment arrived. On 15 March 1945, the 14th attacked across the Rothbach and Moder Rivers.

Quickly, the tankers exploited breakthroughs and reached the vaunted “Westwall.”

The “Libentors” fought through determined resistance and captured the German cities of Germersheim and Schaidt on 23 Mmh 1945. Then, the 14th crossed the Rhine River on 1 April 1945 and continued est. It rapidly An M10 tank destroyer attached to the 14th AD moves past a shell-pocked church in Rohrwiller, Germany, in February, 1945. seized Lohr* Gemunden, Nuestadt, and Berg.

After a fierce fight, the 14th liberated the prisoner of war camp at Hammelburg. Resistance became uncoordinated and sporadic as the “Liberators” drove even deeper into Germany. The division crossed the Danube River on 28 April 1945. Next, the 14th seized Landshut and liberated the prisoner of war camp at Moosburg. Finally, the division reached the Inn River near As-chau when hostilities ended. The “Liberators” remained near Wasserburg and processed German prisoners and displaced persons. The “point system’’ slowly changed the face of the 14th. Veterans rotated home, and new men from other units arrived. In August 1945, the entire division moved to Marseilles and sailed for the United States. The 14th arrived at Hampton Roads, Virginia on 16 September 1945, and deactivated at Camp Patrick Henry the same day. During the drive across Europe, the 14th liberated 200,000 Allied pnson-ers and over 250,000 displaced persons. The “Liberators played a key role in the fighting to defeat Germany, and captured 64,000 prisoners. Today, the “Liberators” maintain an active veterans association.

Captain John Buckheit prepared this unit history while on temporary assignment to ARMOR.

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