3. obrněná divize [1941-1945]

3. armored division was activated on 15. April 1941 at Camp Beauregard in the state of Louisiana. In June 1941 it moved into the Camp Polk, in July, followed by a move to california Camp Young. The division is from August to October 1942 participated in maneuvers at the Desert training center. In January 1943 the division moved to Pennsylvania. 15. September 1943 arrived in England and in the area of Liverpool and Bristol had a pre-invasion training. In the English Somerset remained until June 1944 when it was sent to Normandy.

To France arrived 24. June, i.e., at D+18. Part of the division in the fighting involved 29. June, the entire division then in the fighting entered 9. July 1944. 3. armored division participated in a number of smaller and mostly unsuccessful attacks, after which 25. July was followed by a challenging, but successful participation in operation COBRA. The division participated in the closure of the pocket at Falaise and Argentanu. Then continued through Courville and Chartres to the shores of the Seine, which its leading troops crossed the 25. August. The division then advanced rapidly to the north and 2. September has reached the belgian border and began to liberate the belgian city.

12. September the division crossed the German border and broke through the Siegfried line. It also participated in the battle of Hurtgenský forest. it also Participated in the repulse of the German attack through the Ardennes. 3. armored division transected the road leading to St Vith, participated in the isolation and disposal of Peiperovy battle group in La Gleize and stopping the procedure II. tank corps of the SS in Manhay. The division then participated in the operations in the Rhineland and then in the Ruhr area. Along with the 2. armored division formed the headboard of the northern part of the allied units using Rúrskou pocket, in which in march 1945, the trapped army Group B. Occupied while Cologne and Paderborn. The division then crossed the river Room north of the Hall and went to the Elbe. Along the way, liberated the concentration camp Dora-Mittelbau. 23. April division after three days of fighting captured Desavu. Then, the unit went into the advance and was stationed at Sangerhausen. After the announcement of the surrender of the performed occupation duties in the area of Langenu.

The division was deactivated 10. November 1945.



Sources:
Zaloga, Steven J.: US Armored Divisions. The European Theater of Operations, 1944-1945, Osprey Publishing Ltd., Oxford 2004
en.wikipedia.org.