“Super Sixers” Were In Heavy Contact During Most of WWli Campaign in Europe

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6TH AD TANKS PASS COLUMN OF PRISONERS ON THE AUTOBAHN IN MARCH 1945.

50th Anniversary - 6th Armored Division “Super Sixers” Were in Heavy Contact During Most of WWlI Campaign in Europe General Orders, Headquarters Armored Force, activated the 6th Armored Division at Fort Knox, Kentucky, on 15 February 1942. A few hundred officers and enlisted men from other armored units formed the core of the new unit. The 6th was organized under the original armored division table of organization, with two tank and one infantry regiments. In March 1942, the division moved to Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, where more World War II Campaigns Normandy Northern France R hineland Ardennes- Alsace Central Europe men joined up, bringing the total strength to more than 15,000. The Unit Mobilization Training hogram, along with US0 shows and War Bond drives, filled the first months. But soon, the 6th took part in the VI11 Corps, Maneuvers in Louisiana. There, the “Super Sixth” received its first M4 medium tanks. In September 1942, the 6th returned to Camp Chaffee and picked up three artillery battalions. Early in October, the “Super Sixth” moved by rail to California’s Mojave Desert. For five months, the division lived in the desert and trained, with an emphasis on offensive operations. The progressive training stressed fundamentals and included corps-level maneuvers. In March 1943, the 6th moved to Camp Cooke, California, where training continued. MG Robert W. Grow took command of the 6th in May 1943, bringing his aggressive new ideas for the role of armor. He would command the “Super Sixth” for the remainder of its training and in combat. In September 1943, the 6th reorganized as a light armored division amid rumors of overseas deployment. Word came on 31 December 1943 that the 6th was headed to Europe. The division spent January 1944 loading and moving to Camp Shanks, New York. After processing and a pass in New York City, the men of the 6th loaded onto eight ships and sailed for England. After an uneventful voyage, the “Super Sixth” arrived at Liverpool and Bristol, England, and Glasgow, Scotland in February 1944. Men and ARMOR - January-February 1992 7

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MG ROBERT W. GROW

equipment quickly moved by train to the Oxford-Stratford-Cheltenham area of Englarid. Units spread out and billeted in the villages throughout the area. For five months, the division continued ,to train and draw equipment. In June 1944, the division went on alert, and in July loaded onto ships. On 18 July 1944, the first clements of the 6th landed across Utah Beach and assembled at Le Mesnil, France. On 27 July 1944, the division attacked through the 8th Infantry Division to clear the heights near Le Bingard. Moving quickly, the “Super Sixth” crossed the Seine River, seized Granville, and linked up with the 4th Armored Division at Avranches. There, the division received orders to seize the port of Brest. Once an attack penetrated the enemy defense, the tankers exploited into Brittany. Bypassing strong resistance, the division swiftly moved to Brest, and Combat t 68th Tank Banalion anerriidri enters Hvraricines. rrarirx World War II Commanders MG Wm. H.H. Morris Jr. February 42 - May 43 MG Robert W. Grow May 43 - July 45 a Command A invested the city. Unfortunately, logistical constraints held the 6th stationary in Brittany until September 1944. However, the “Super Sixth” had demonstrated the value of armor in a rapid advance. In September 1944, the 6th joined LTG Patton’s Third Army and relieved the 4th Armored Division in the Nancy-Luneville area. Immediately, the division fought a bitter action in the Gremecy Forest. MG Grow constantly sought to refine and improve his division. He increased his infantry strength by turning all 57mm anti-tank gunners into riflemen and all light machine gun squads into rifle squads. At the same time, the “Super Sixers” perfected close coordination in their attacks on strong prepared positions. In November 1944, the division attacked as part of an army-wide offensive to occupy the west bank of the Rhine River. The German defenders were aided by the heavy rains and mud. Despite fierce resistance and determined local counterattacks, the “Super Sixth” crossed the Seille River and cleared out the Nomeny area. Then, the division advanced in four columns to establish a bridgehead across the Nied River. By December 1944, the 6th had reached S m - guemines and adopted a defensive posture. Late that month, LTG Patton ordered the “Super Sixth” north to help blunt the German Ardennes offensive. In two days, the division disengaged, moved north, and relieved elements of the 9th and 10th Armored Divisions on the south shoulder of the “Bulge.” On New Year’s Eve 1944, the 6th at-OREU UMSlRN tacked on a broad front through the lOlst Airborne Division at Bastogne, Belgium, to expand the Bastogne Pocket. However, the 6th attacked alone, and German resistance, combined with counterattacks, stalled the thrust after only limited gains. On 4 January 1945, the division pulled back to more defensible terrain to face renewed German attacks. Despite the harsh winter weather, the “Super Sixth” held its ground and slowly drove the Germans back. By 26 January 1945, the 6th had pushed the Germans back behind the Siegfried Line. Although the 6th was overdue for a rest from combat, it remained in the line. MG Grow used a minimum of troops to secure the front and emphasized refitting. On 7 February 1945, the division attacked across the Our River and established a bridgehead. In two days, the engineers constructed a bridge, and armor crossed the river. Although the Germans had prepared strong static defenses, the “Super Sixth” continued east and penetrated the “West Wall” into Germany. By March 1945, it had forced a bridgehead across the Prum River. During the the night of 3 March 1945, elements of the 90th Infantry Division relieved the 6th. After 221 days of consecutive combat, the “Super Sixth” became SHAEF Reserve. Then, on 8 March 1945, the 6th was assigned to LTG Patch’s Seventh At about this time, the semi-monthly Armored Attacker made its debut. Many of the “Super Sixers” felt that Stars and Stripes overlooked their exploits, and they started their own newspaper. Army-ARMOR - January-February 1992

-1 - Sandbagged Sherman passes knocked-out German “88 ” On 20 March 1945, the 6th passed through the 3rd and 45th Infantry Divisions and attacked northeast. The next day, it reached the Rhine River. The rapid allied advance caused the 10th Armored Division to become entangled with the 6th. To sort out their army boundaries, LTG Patton and LTG Patch simply switched divisions, and the 6th returned to the Third On 25 March 1945, the “Super Sixth” crossed the Rhine near Oppen-heim, Germany, and passed through the 5th Infantry Division. Once again, the division used superior mobility to h Y . 4 ledics rescue a wounded tanker near Oberdorla. Germany. bypass resistance, and the 6th established a bridgehead across the Main River near Frankfurt. Then, the division turned north and reached the Fulda River by 2 April 1945. As the German resistance grew incoherent, the “Super Sixth” continued to advance. The 6th captured Langensalza, crossed the Saale River, and established a bridgehead across the Zwick Mulde at Rochlitz when hostilities ceased on 7 May 1945. After the war, the point system rotated personnel in and out of the division. The 6th assumed the duty of occupation and military government. In September 1945, the division moved to a staging area near Le Havre, France. Soon after, units returned to the United States. On 18 September 1945, the 6th Armored Division was inactivated at Camp Shanks, New York. During its short life, the unit established an incredible record of successful sustained combat. Today, the spirit of the “Super Sixth” remains alive with the 6th Armored Division Association. Captain John L. Buckheit prepared this unit history while temporarily assigned to ARMOR Magazine in summer, 1990. - 6th Armored Divlsion attach - Attacks of other armored dlvlsions Siegfried Line rml Lin. 0600 houm 20 March ARMOR - January-February 1992 9