The U.S. 1st Armoured Division is now the only heavy armored division of the active U.S. Army. It has a workforce of about 15,000 men, divided in four combat brigades, a brigade of several attack helicopters and other support units, its current commander is Major General Mark P. Hertling. Earlier in the year 2011, it is quartered at Fort Bliss, Texas, and depends on the U.S. III Corps U.S. Army Forces Command (USFORSCOM). At the beginning of the campaign in Tunisia in December 1942 she was the first U.S. division committed against the Wehrmacht, and especially against Rommel's Afrika Korps.
Sheet of the U.S. 1st Armoured Division.
• Activation date: January 16, 1932 to April 25, 1946, 7 March 1951 - Present.
• Country: United States of America.
• Branch: United States Army.
• Type: Heavy Armoured Division.
• Employees: Approximately 15,000 men.
• Subordinate to: III Corps, FORSCOM.
• Garrison / HQ: Fort Bliss, Texas.
• Nickname: Old Ironsides .
• Badge distinctive round:
• Commitments:
- World War II (Tunisia, Sicily, Italy).
- Operation Desert Storm .
- Global war against terrorism.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom .
• Current
Commander: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling.
• Former notable commanders: Orlando Ward and Ernest N. Harmon.
• Combat Units:
- 1st Brigade Heavy Combat Ready First (HBCT).
- 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Iron Brigade (HBCT).
- 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Bulldogs (IBCT).
- 4th Brigade Combat Heavy Iron Eagle (HBCT).
- Combat Aviation Brigade.
History (1932-2009).
1 Origin (1932-1940).
Colonel Daniel Van Voorhis unit selects a frame composed of 175 officers and troops, and sends them in February 1932 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to form an "interim armored vehicle platoon. In this mission, he was inspired by the "Table of Organization and Equipment (TO & E) and a book about the cavalry division and the role would have to play mechanized and motorized elements.
This unit became the core part of the 7th Cavalry Brigade, which is activated on 1 March 1932 at Fort Knox. Initially, the brigade has barely more than the mechanized platoon and a headquarters detachment.
On 3 January 1933, the 1st Cavalry Regiment was detached from the 1st Cavalry Division and sent to Fort DA Russell in Fort Knox. The squad's original van Voorhis is incorporated in the new TO & E Mess, and the result of this merger "1st Cavalry Regiment [mechanized], On January 16, 1933.
Command Mechanized Regiment was entrusted to Colonel Daniel Van Voorhis, as an assistant with Adna R. Chaffee Major, Jr. Fort Knox is headed by Brigadier-General Julian R. Lindsay, another "jumper". To preserve its equine nature, Maj. Robert W. Grow was appointed Chief of Staff of the regiment.
Voorhis Then gradually integrating other units organic to the 7th Cavalry Brigade: 13th Cavalry Regiment, the 68th Field Artillery Battalion, the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Platoon transmission (1), the 4th Medical Platoon, 47th Engineer Platoon, and finally the 17th QM Battalion. The brigade is now fully formed.
Van Voorhis was the head of the brigade until September 1938 when he was promoted to command the 5th Corps at Indianapolis. Adna Chaffee replaced him at Fort Knox.
On 7 May 1940, the 7th Cavalry Brigade Mechanized part in maneuvers in Louisiana at Monroe, and develops the concept and tactics of the "armored division". These maneuvers ending May 27, 1940, and the brigade returned to Fort Knox several days later.
She began her preparations for conversion 1st Armoured Division. This will be composed initially as a brigade and a few other divisional support units. In this same process of evolution, the 1st and 13th Cavalry Regiments were redesignated the 1st and 13th Armoured Regiments.
The first commandment of the new armored division was entrusted to Major-General Bruce Magruder (July 1940 - March 1942). The division is equipped with light tanks of 11.6 tons M2A3 Mae West, with two machine gun turrets, and M2A4 fitted with a turret with 37mm cannon, the end of 1940, order of battle of the 1st Division Armored is:
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) (2), 1st Armored Division.
- 6th Armored Infantry Regiment.
- 27th Field Artillery Battalion [armored].
- 16th Engineer Battalion [armored].
- 81st Reconnaissance Squadron [armored].
- 13th QM Battalion [armored].
- 19th Battalion Ordinance [armored].
- 47th Medical Battalion [armored]
- 141st Signal Company [armored].
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Armoured Brigade.
- 1st Armoured Regiment [light].
- 13th Armoured Regiment [light].
- 69th Armoured Regiment [average].
- 68th Armoured Regiment campaign.
April 15, 1941, the 1st Armored Division unit detaches part of instruction at Pine Camp in upstate New York to form the backbone of the 4th Armored Division.
The lessons of the campaign in France (May / June 1940) convince officials of the U.S. Army to start production of the medium tank M3 Lee , weighing 23.9 tons and equipped with a 51mm cannon to replace light armored vehicles in service.
After completing its organization and new equipment, the 1st Armored Division trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where it contributes to the achievement of the short film "The Tanks Are Coming ", a propaganda film released for purposes of recruitment maneuvers during the 7th Corps August 18, 1941.
When terminated, the division was transferred August 28, 1941 at Camp Polk, to take part in the maneuvers of the 2nd U.S. Army in Louisiana on 1 September 1941. Then she moved again October 30, 1941 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to participate in the maneuvers of the U.S. 1st Army.
The 1st Armored Division returned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, December 7, 1941. April 11, 1942, it was shipped Fort Dix to prepare for his deployment overseas. It was reorganized to include the new concept of "Combat Command", a combination of armored unit, infantry and artillery regiment of comparable size or brigade system that will keep American armored division until 1963.
New organization of a U.S. armored division in 1942.
- Three "Combat Command" designated CCA, CCB and CCC (and JRC).
- Table of organizational Combat Command, a battalion of 68 tanks (51 facilities, 17 minor), an armored infantry battalion (M3 Half-Track), and a battalion of armored artillery campaign (Howitzer M7 Priest 105mm).
Photo below: howitzer M7 Priest 105mm (here the U.S. 2nd Armored).
2 ° World War (1942-1946).
May 11, 1942, the division sailed from New York aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary . She arrives in Northern Ireland May 16, 1942, then in England 29 October 1942. It must participate in Operation Torch, the Anglo-American landing in French North Africa.
The 1st Armored Division U.S. becomes the first-ever American unit engaged in combat in the theater of operation Euro-mediterranean against the Wehrmacht. November 8, 1942, Combat Command B (CCB) landed on both sides of Oran, Algeria, and into the city two days later. On 24 November 1942, he set in motion Tafaroui towards Beja, Tunisia, and seized the airfield Djedeida the next day. Then the town itself was captured Nov. 28, 1942.
The CWB then runs south-west Tebourba 1 December 1942, and fought for the first time the conflict, the German forces on the heights of El Guess, December 3. But his lines are pierced three days later, and the BAC should begin a painful retreat to Beja, with heavy loss.
December 11, 1942, the CWB is sent to the rest and placed in reserve to be replenished with new medium tank M4 Sherman 30 tons, armed with Howitzer L/40 75mm gun.
replenished, the CWB returns to the front line and attack the German positions in the valley Ousseltia January 21, 1943, and then clean the area until 29 January 1943, when he was sent to Bou Chebka . He arrived in Maktar February 14, 1943.
The Combat Command A (CCA) book fighting Faid Pass in the January 30, 1943, and then advance to Sidi Bou Zid, where he will face a decline, however, against enemy attack, and suffered heavy losses. Several of these elements are surrounded in the Jebel Lessouda, Djebel Garet Hadid and Kasaire.
The Combat Command C (CCC), established on January 23 and some time later redesignated JRC raided cons Sened Station the next day and advance to Sbeitla. On 15 February 1943, he launched an attack against the CSF to rescue ailing in the region of Sidi Bou Zid, but was repulsed with heavy losses. Last
evil and danger of being completely isolated by the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions in Germany, the 1st Armoured Division withdraws from Sbeitla February 16, 1943. Then on Feb. 21 after suffering a terrible defeat in the Kasserine Pass, the CWB broken the German offensive to Tebessa, Algeria. The final decision, and the retreat of the Afrika Korps in their starting positions then allows the division to resume February 26, 1943 the Kasserine Pass. It is then placed in reserve and replenished.
The division is then moving north-east of Gafsa March 13, 1943, and attacked the German front under heavy showers of rain on March 17. CCA takes his Zammouch but then immobilized because of soggy ground and persistent rain. She argues on Maknassy March 20, 1943, and participated in the Battle of Jebel Naemia on 22-25 March, then fight and advance on the road to Gabes between March 29 and April 1, 1943.
It follows the general retreat of the Afrika Korps April 6, 1943, and to attack with his Mateur CCA 27 April 1943, it reached city May 3rd 1943, comes after heavy fighting in the hills 315 and 299.
The 1st Armoured Division then took part in the Battle of Jebel Achtel 5-11 March 1943, and enters Ferryville May 7 The total surrender of Axis forces in North Africa occur between 9 and 13 May It is then sent to Morocco and reorganized, and then landed in the Bay of Naples October 28, 1943.
Division participates with other units of the 5th U.S. Army, in the long and grueling Italian campaign until the end of hostilities. It attacks without the terrible outcome Gustav Line in November 1943 along the River Garigliano on the left flank of the allied forces.
With the Allied landing at Anzio in January 1944 and the final rupture of the Gustav Line, began a general retreat irresistible German advance towards Rome. The division entered the outskirts of the City Eternal in the evening of June 4, 1944. It will then continue fighting in the Po Valley and north of the peninsula to the complete surrender of the Germans in Italy, May 2, 1945.
In June 1945, it was transferred to Germany to be part of the occupation troops. She then left the port of Brest and returns to the United States April 24, 1946, to be deactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, the next day.
Losses Division during the Second World War: 1428 killed and 5168 wounded.
2.1. Order of battle of the 1st Armoured Division in 1944-1945.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Armored Division.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), division artillery.
- 81st Reconnaissance Squadron [mechanized] (M8 Greyhound ).
- 47th Medical Battalion [armored].
- 81st Engineer Battalion [armored].
- 141st Signal Company [armored].
- five hundred and first detachment of the cons-intelligence Corps.
- 123rd Maintenance Battalion and orders.
- Military Police Platoon.
- Fanfare, 1st Division shielded.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command A.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command B.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command R.
- 1st Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 4th Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 13th Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 6th Armored Infantry Battalion (M3 Half-Track ).
- 11th Battalion Armoured Infantry (M3 Half-Track ).
- 14th Armored Infantry Battalion (M3 Half-Track ).
- 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
- 68th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
- 91st Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
2.2. Commanders of the U.S. 1st Armoured Division (1942-1946).
- Major General Orlando Ward (March 1942 - April 1943).
- Major-General Ernest N. Harmon (April 1943 - July 1944).
- Major-General VE Prichard (July 1944 - September 1945).
- Major-General Roderick R. Allen (September 1945 - January 1946).
- Major-General Hobart R. Gay (February 1946 - April 1946).
3 Cold War (1951-1999).
With the Korean War and the strengthening of U.S. military forces of the Cold War, the 1st Armored Division was reactivated March 7, 1951 in Fort Hood, Texas. This is the first American unit to be equipped with the new heavy tank M48A1 Patton of 49.6 tons, but eventually, it will not participate in the Korean Conflict. After Texas, in 1956 the division was transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana.
During the Cuban missile crisis, the division was deployed in Texas, Florida and Georgia. During the six weeks since the last deployment, she will receive the visit of President John F. Kennedy.
In early sixties, she began to be re-equipped with M60 tanks Patton, a modernized version of the M48 weighs 52 tons, the M109 howitzers 155mm Paladin and M113 armored personnel carriers. A small number of units will be sent to Vietnam and will remain there until the end of the conflict, before returning to their division.
Photo below: M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer 155mm .
In 1963, the Battle Command system that prevailed from 1942 gives way to the new organization "Armoured Brigades." With the race riots of protest marches related to Martin Luther King, the 3rd Brigade was deployed in the streets of Chicago, Illinois, to restore order. At this time, the Division HQ is based in Fort Hood, Texas.
With the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army is also undergoing profound changes. During this reorganization, in 1971, the entire 1st Armored Division was transferred to Europe to join NATO. It is the 4th Armored Division, during dissolution, and is housed in Ansbach, Bavaria, with its brigade quartered in Bamberg, Illesheim, Nuremberg, Crailsheim and Zindorf. It will remain in West Germany during the next two decades.
In 1980, the 1st Armored Division takes into account its first heavy tank M1 Abrams to replace their M60. Ten years later, Iraq invaded Kuwait. President George HW Bush sends an expeditionary force of U.S. Army to protect the Saudi border. This operation Desert Shield ("Desert Shield"), who will hand January 17, 1991 in Operation Desert Storm ("Desert Storm"), the Allied offensive aimed at driving the Iraqis from Kuwait. The 7th U.S. Corps stationed in Germany, including the 1st Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division, is one and is dispatched to the Persian Gulf.
When the ground phase of Desert Storm begins February 24, 1991, the 1st Armoured Division was the spearhead of the U.S. 7th Corps. During the four days, it destroys several divisions of elite Republican Guard, traversing 250 km in Iraq, destroying 768 enemy vehicles and captured 1064 prisoners of war, without losing itself only 4 killed in combat. Then the Division returned to Germany May 8, 1991, and celebrates a visit by Vice President Dan Quayle.
The December 18, 1995, commanded by Maj. Gen. William L. Nash, the division was deployed in the north-eastern Bosnia, as part of Task Force Eagle (TF-Eagle) a mission of international peacekeeping under the authority of NATO (SFOR). The Americans are acting in cooperation with the Russian brigade of Colonel Alexander Ivanovich Lentsov (see the book by James Nelson, Bosnia Journal ). The following year she returned to Germany.
In 1999, the division was sent again in the Balkans. This time in Kosovo, to participate in operations Allied Force and Joint Guardian. After that, she trained intensively in Hohenfels and Grafenwöhr taking part in the exercises very realistic "Opposition Forces (OPFOR).
Photo below: NATO-Russia joint patrol in Bosnia. A Bradley of the 1st Armoured Division with a BTR-80 from the 76th Airborne Division near Zvornik. February 29, 1996.
4 ° Global war against terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-Present).
Currently, the brigades of the 1st Armored Division are regularly deployed in Iraq or in other countries in the Middle East, as part of the global war against terrorism.
In March 2003, the invasion of Iraq. Two battalions of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom scattered in other divisions like the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, or the 3rd Infantry Division: This is the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment and 1st Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. They take part in attacks against U.S. As Samawah and Karbala, and later invest the southern part of the capital Baghdad.
In April 2003, the rest of the division was shipped to Iraq under the command of Brigadier General Martin E. Dempsey, to meet the 3rd Infantry Division. According to the schedule
expected, the division must remain in Iraq one year and return to Germany in April 2004. But because of fierce fighting against Shiite extremist militia of Moqtada Sadr, it must remain on site for one additional quarter. During these three months, the 1st Battalion "Bandits " 37th Armoured Regiment battle Sadr's militiamen in Karbala, and the 2nd Battalion " Dukes" of the same regiment in Diwaniya, Sadr City, Al Kut and Najaf. The 1st Battalion " Spartans" of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiments became the force séserve Task Force CJTF-7 in Baghdad and conducts operations in support of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 2nd Brigade
combat in Al-Kut. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, the 1st Armored Division lost 125 soldiers killed in combat.
The 3rd Brigade, from Fort Riley, Kan., is deployed to Iraq in January 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, after only eight months of rest. It is embedded in the 3rd Infantry Division to form the Task Force Baghdad. The 2nd Brigade
is sent to Kuwait in November 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV after three months placed in reserve. In May 2006, two other brigade of the division were deployed in Ramadi. In August 2006, the 2nd Brigade leaves Kuwait for deployment in the area of the Baghdad International Airport.
In September 2007, the headquarters of the 1st Armoured Division was again deployed to Iraq. He assumed command of the "Multinational Division North," whose headquarters is based in Tikrit, 28 October 2007. This division consists of five multinational brigades maneuver combat, a combat aviation brigade, an artillery brigade and a brigade support engineering. Its area of influence covers the provinces of Ninewa, Kirkuk, Salah ad Din, Diyala, Dahuk and As Sulaymaniah.
5 ° Fort Bliss and BRAC Plan 2005.
The "Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process is a U.S. federal government established in 2005 by the Department of Defense. This is a reduction plan aimed at demobilizing some units and military installations have become useless in the U.S. or worldwide, to reduce transaction costs and equipment maintenance. The Commisssion
BRAC 2005 decided to move the 1st Armored Duvision its bases in Germany to Fort Bliss, Texas, gradually from 2008 to 2012.
- Divisional Headquarters: HQ of the 1st Armoured Division, currently in Iraq, is scheduled to relocate to Fort Bliss in 2011.
- 1st Brigade: quartered in Friedberg until April 20, 2007, the Ready First Brigade moved to Fort Bliss after 62 years of military presence in Germany.
- 2nd Brigade: quartered at Baumholder, it remains under the authority of NATO until July 15, 2009, when is abandoning its facilities and frame units to the new 170th Brigade Combat [Heavy Infantry] independent . The 2nd Brigade is Heavy Metal now being rebuilt and redeployed to Fort Bliss.
- 3rd Brigade: Brigade Bulldogs off March 28, 2008 in Fort Riley, then reactivated July 2, 2009 at Fort Bliss.
- 4th Brigade: Brigade Highlanders is on March 4, 2008 at Fort Bliss.
- 5th Brigade: experimental and non-deployable unit activated in 2007 and designed to test the new system Future Force Warrior .
- Combat Aviation Brigade: formed April 16, 1986 and deactivated on June 7, 2006 Fliegerhorst Kaserne (Hanau), Germany. Reactivated in the United States, it is first quartered at Fort Riley, then eventually moved to Fort Bliss in 2010.
- Engineer Brigade: off April 26, 2007 in Giessen, Germany.
- Divisional Artillery (DIVARTY): disabled May 1, 2007 in Baumholder, Germany.
(1) " Troop " common term used in the U.S. cavalry to designate the "Platoon" ( Platoon in the infantry).
(2) HHC: Headquarter and Headquarter Company.
HHB: Headquarter and Headquarter Battery
Current organization of the 1st U.S. armored division.
Since its relocation to Fort Bliss, Texas (late 2008), the U.S. 1st Armoured Division was reorganized to meet the new modular concept following the "Amended table of organization and equipment (MTOE). Each of these four heavy brigades of combat is now composed of a battalion of "Special Troops" (administrative, logistical support & maintenance, engineering troops), an armored cavalry squadron (M1A2 Abrams and M3 Bradley ), a battalion of tanks (M1A2 Abrams ), an infantry battalion Armoured (M2 Bradley or M113), a field artillery battalion (M109 Paladin ) and finally a brigade support battalion. His combat aviation brigade is composed of the side of helicopters AH-64D Apache and UH-60A Black Hawk .
Below: the M113 still used in fire support mission (variants M981 or M901 FISTV ITV).
• "Special Troops" divisional (Communications, Engineering, Logistics, ...)
- 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment of DCA (24 M2/M3 Bradley PHL and 12 M998/M1097 HMMWV Avenger ).
- 141st Signal Battalion The Communicators .
- five hundred and first Military Intelligence Battalion.
- 123rd Battalion of maintenance and logistics services.
- five hundred and first Military Police Company.
- Fanfare.
• 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Ready First (HBCT).
- 1st Battalion Special Troops Brigade Black Knights.
- 6th Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment Black Hawks (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment Bandits (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 1st Battalion, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment Spartans (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Gunners (18 M109A6 Paladin and 15 M981A3 FISTV).
- five hundred and first Brigade Support Battalion Providers (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 2nd Brigade Combat Heavy Metal Heavy (HBCT).
- 2nd Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 1st Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment Conqueror (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 1st Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment Iron Thunder (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 47th Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Bulldogs (IBCT).
- 3rd Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 1st Squadron, 13th Armored Cavalry Regiment (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment Armoured (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 4th Battalion 1st Field Artillery Regiment (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 125th Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 4th Brigade Combat Heavy Highlanders (HBCT).
- 4th Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 2nd Squadron 13th Armored Cavalry Regiment (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion of the 77th Armoured Regiment (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 4th Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 121st Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• Brigade Combat Aviation.
- 1st Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- 2nd Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (30 UH-60A Black Hawk ).
- 3rd Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- 4th Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- the 127th Support Battalion (30 UH-60A, HH-12 Pave Hawk 60M, 12 CH-47D Chinook ).
Sources available: 1
1st Armored Division (en.wikipedia.org).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Armored_Division_ (United_States)
2 ° 1st Armoured Division (United States) (fr.wikipedia.org).
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/1re_division_blind% C3% A9e_ (% C3% 89tats U.S.)
3 1st Armored Division (globalsecurity.org).
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1ad.htm
Sheet of the U.S. 1st Armoured Division.
• Activation date: January 16, 1932 to April 25, 1946, 7 March 1951 - Present.
• Country: United States of America.
• Branch: United States Army.
• Type: Heavy Armoured Division.
• Employees: Approximately 15,000 men.
• Subordinate to: III Corps, FORSCOM.
• Garrison / HQ: Fort Bliss, Texas.
• Nickname: Old Ironsides .
• Badge distinctive round:
• Commitments:
- World War II (Tunisia, Sicily, Italy).
- Operation Desert Storm .
- Global war against terrorism.
- Operation Iraqi Freedom .
• Current
Commander: Maj. Gen. Mark P. Hertling.
• Former notable commanders: Orlando Ward and Ernest N. Harmon.
• Combat Units:
- 1st Brigade Heavy Combat Ready First (HBCT).
- 2nd Heavy Brigade Combat Iron Brigade (HBCT).
- 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Bulldogs (IBCT).
- 4th Brigade Combat Heavy Iron Eagle (HBCT).
- Combat Aviation Brigade.
History (1932-2009).
1 Origin (1932-1940).
Colonel Daniel Van Voorhis unit selects a frame composed of 175 officers and troops, and sends them in February 1932 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, to form an "interim armored vehicle platoon. In this mission, he was inspired by the "Table of Organization and Equipment (TO & E) and a book about the cavalry division and the role would have to play mechanized and motorized elements.
This unit became the core part of the 7th Cavalry Brigade, which is activated on 1 March 1932 at Fort Knox. Initially, the brigade has barely more than the mechanized platoon and a headquarters detachment.
On 3 January 1933, the 1st Cavalry Regiment was detached from the 1st Cavalry Division and sent to Fort DA Russell in Fort Knox. The squad's original van Voorhis is incorporated in the new TO & E Mess, and the result of this merger "1st Cavalry Regiment [mechanized], On January 16, 1933.
Command Mechanized Regiment was entrusted to Colonel Daniel Van Voorhis, as an assistant with Adna R. Chaffee Major, Jr. Fort Knox is headed by Brigadier-General Julian R. Lindsay, another "jumper". To preserve its equine nature, Maj. Robert W. Grow was appointed Chief of Staff of the regiment.
Voorhis Then gradually integrating other units organic to the 7th Cavalry Brigade: 13th Cavalry Regiment, the 68th Field Artillery Battalion, the 7th Reconnaissance Squadron, 7th Platoon transmission (1), the 4th Medical Platoon, 47th Engineer Platoon, and finally the 17th QM Battalion. The brigade is now fully formed.
Van Voorhis was the head of the brigade until September 1938 when he was promoted to command the 5th Corps at Indianapolis. Adna Chaffee replaced him at Fort Knox.
On 7 May 1940, the 7th Cavalry Brigade Mechanized part in maneuvers in Louisiana at Monroe, and develops the concept and tactics of the "armored division". These maneuvers ending May 27, 1940, and the brigade returned to Fort Knox several days later.
She began her preparations for conversion 1st Armoured Division. This will be composed initially as a brigade and a few other divisional support units. In this same process of evolution, the 1st and 13th Cavalry Regiments were redesignated the 1st and 13th Armoured Regiments.
The first commandment of the new armored division was entrusted to Major-General Bruce Magruder (July 1940 - March 1942). The division is equipped with light tanks of 11.6 tons M2A3 Mae West, with two machine gun turrets, and M2A4 fitted with a turret with 37mm cannon, the end of 1940, order of battle of the 1st Division Armored is:
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) (2), 1st Armored Division.
- 6th Armored Infantry Regiment.
- 27th Field Artillery Battalion [armored].
- 16th Engineer Battalion [armored].
- 81st Reconnaissance Squadron [armored].
- 13th QM Battalion [armored].
- 19th Battalion Ordinance [armored].
- 47th Medical Battalion [armored]
- 141st Signal Company [armored].
• Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Armoured Brigade.
- 1st Armoured Regiment [light].
- 13th Armoured Regiment [light].
- 69th Armoured Regiment [average].
- 68th Armoured Regiment campaign.
April 15, 1941, the 1st Armored Division unit detaches part of instruction at Pine Camp in upstate New York to form the backbone of the 4th Armored Division.
The lessons of the campaign in France (May / June 1940) convince officials of the U.S. Army to start production of the medium tank M3 Lee , weighing 23.9 tons and equipped with a 51mm cannon to replace light armored vehicles in service.
After completing its organization and new equipment, the 1st Armored Division trained at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where it contributes to the achievement of the short film "The Tanks Are Coming ", a propaganda film released for purposes of recruitment maneuvers during the 7th Corps August 18, 1941.
When terminated, the division was transferred August 28, 1941 at Camp Polk, to take part in the maneuvers of the 2nd U.S. Army in Louisiana on 1 September 1941. Then she moved again October 30, 1941 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina, to participate in the maneuvers of the U.S. 1st Army.
The 1st Armored Division returned to Fort Knox, Kentucky, December 7, 1941. April 11, 1942, it was shipped Fort Dix to prepare for his deployment overseas. It was reorganized to include the new concept of "Combat Command", a combination of armored unit, infantry and artillery regiment of comparable size or brigade system that will keep American armored division until 1963.
New organization of a U.S. armored division in 1942.
- Three "Combat Command" designated CCA, CCB and CCC (and JRC).
- Table of organizational Combat Command, a battalion of 68 tanks (51 facilities, 17 minor), an armored infantry battalion (M3 Half-Track), and a battalion of armored artillery campaign (Howitzer M7 Priest 105mm).
Photo below: howitzer M7 Priest 105mm (here the U.S. 2nd Armored).
2 ° World War (1942-1946).
May 11, 1942, the division sailed from New York aboard the ocean liner Queen Mary . She arrives in Northern Ireland May 16, 1942, then in England 29 October 1942. It must participate in Operation Torch, the Anglo-American landing in French North Africa.
The 1st Armored Division U.S. becomes the first-ever American unit engaged in combat in the theater of operation Euro-mediterranean against the Wehrmacht. November 8, 1942, Combat Command B (CCB) landed on both sides of Oran, Algeria, and into the city two days later. On 24 November 1942, he set in motion Tafaroui towards Beja, Tunisia, and seized the airfield Djedeida the next day. Then the town itself was captured Nov. 28, 1942.
The CWB then runs south-west Tebourba 1 December 1942, and fought for the first time the conflict, the German forces on the heights of El Guess, December 3. But his lines are pierced three days later, and the BAC should begin a painful retreat to Beja, with heavy loss.
December 11, 1942, the CWB is sent to the rest and placed in reserve to be replenished with new medium tank M4 Sherman 30 tons, armed with Howitzer L/40 75mm gun.
replenished, the CWB returns to the front line and attack the German positions in the valley Ousseltia January 21, 1943, and then clean the area until 29 January 1943, when he was sent to Bou Chebka . He arrived in Maktar February 14, 1943.
The Combat Command A (CCA) book fighting Faid Pass in the January 30, 1943, and then advance to Sidi Bou Zid, where he will face a decline, however, against enemy attack, and suffered heavy losses. Several of these elements are surrounded in the Jebel Lessouda, Djebel Garet Hadid and Kasaire.
The Combat Command C (CCC), established on January 23 and some time later redesignated JRC raided cons Sened Station the next day and advance to Sbeitla. On 15 February 1943, he launched an attack against the CSF to rescue ailing in the region of Sidi Bou Zid, but was repulsed with heavy losses. Last
evil and danger of being completely isolated by the 10th and 21st Panzer Divisions in Germany, the 1st Armoured Division withdraws from Sbeitla February 16, 1943. Then on Feb. 21 after suffering a terrible defeat in the Kasserine Pass, the CWB broken the German offensive to Tebessa, Algeria. The final decision, and the retreat of the Afrika Korps in their starting positions then allows the division to resume February 26, 1943 the Kasserine Pass. It is then placed in reserve and replenished.
The division is then moving north-east of Gafsa March 13, 1943, and attacked the German front under heavy showers of rain on March 17. CCA takes his Zammouch but then immobilized because of soggy ground and persistent rain. She argues on Maknassy March 20, 1943, and participated in the Battle of Jebel Naemia on 22-25 March, then fight and advance on the road to Gabes between March 29 and April 1, 1943.
It follows the general retreat of the Afrika Korps April 6, 1943, and to attack with his Mateur CCA 27 April 1943, it reached city May 3rd 1943, comes after heavy fighting in the hills 315 and 299.
The 1st Armoured Division then took part in the Battle of Jebel Achtel 5-11 March 1943, and enters Ferryville May 7 The total surrender of Axis forces in North Africa occur between 9 and 13 May It is then sent to Morocco and reorganized, and then landed in the Bay of Naples October 28, 1943.
Division participates with other units of the 5th U.S. Army, in the long and grueling Italian campaign until the end of hostilities. It attacks without the terrible outcome Gustav Line in November 1943 along the River Garigliano on the left flank of the allied forces.
With the Allied landing at Anzio in January 1944 and the final rupture of the Gustav Line, began a general retreat irresistible German advance towards Rome. The division entered the outskirts of the City Eternal in the evening of June 4, 1944. It will then continue fighting in the Po Valley and north of the peninsula to the complete surrender of the Germans in Italy, May 2, 1945.
In June 1945, it was transferred to Germany to be part of the occupation troops. She then left the port of Brest and returns to the United States April 24, 1946, to be deactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey, the next day.
Losses Division during the Second World War: 1428 killed and 5168 wounded.
2.1. Order of battle of the 1st Armoured Division in 1944-1945.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 1st Armored Division.
- Headquarters and Headquarters Battery (HHB), division artillery.
- 81st Reconnaissance Squadron [mechanized] (M8 Greyhound ).
- 47th Medical Battalion [armored].
- 81st Engineer Battalion [armored].
- 141st Signal Company [armored].
- five hundred and first detachment of the cons-intelligence Corps.
- 123rd Maintenance Battalion and orders.
- Military Police Platoon.
- Fanfare, 1st Division shielded.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command A.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command B.
- Headquarters platoon quarterback and General (HHT), Combat Command R.
- 1st Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 4th Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 13th Tank Battalion (51 M4 Sherman and 17 M24 Chaffee ).
- 6th Armored Infantry Battalion (M3 Half-Track ).
- 11th Battalion Armoured Infantry (M3 Half-Track ).
- 14th Armored Infantry Battalion (M3 Half-Track ).
- 27th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
- 68th Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
- 91st Armored Field Artillery Battalion Field (M7 Priest 105mm-SP).
2.2. Commanders of the U.S. 1st Armoured Division (1942-1946).
- Major General Orlando Ward (March 1942 - April 1943).
- Major-General Ernest N. Harmon (April 1943 - July 1944).
- Major-General VE Prichard (July 1944 - September 1945).
- Major-General Roderick R. Allen (September 1945 - January 1946).
- Major-General Hobart R. Gay (February 1946 - April 1946).
3 Cold War (1951-1999).
With the Korean War and the strengthening of U.S. military forces of the Cold War, the 1st Armored Division was reactivated March 7, 1951 in Fort Hood, Texas. This is the first American unit to be equipped with the new heavy tank M48A1 Patton of 49.6 tons, but eventually, it will not participate in the Korean Conflict. After Texas, in 1956 the division was transferred to Fort Polk, Louisiana.
During the Cuban missile crisis, the division was deployed in Texas, Florida and Georgia. During the six weeks since the last deployment, she will receive the visit of President John F. Kennedy.
In early sixties, she began to be re-equipped with M60 tanks Patton, a modernized version of the M48 weighs 52 tons, the M109 howitzers 155mm Paladin and M113 armored personnel carriers. A small number of units will be sent to Vietnam and will remain there until the end of the conflict, before returning to their division.
Photo below: M109A6 Paladin self-propelled howitzer 155mm .
In 1963, the Battle Command system that prevailed from 1942 gives way to the new organization "Armoured Brigades." With the race riots of protest marches related to Martin Luther King, the 3rd Brigade was deployed in the streets of Chicago, Illinois, to restore order. At this time, the Division HQ is based in Fort Hood, Texas.
With the end of the Vietnam War, the U.S. Army is also undergoing profound changes. During this reorganization, in 1971, the entire 1st Armored Division was transferred to Europe to join NATO. It is the 4th Armored Division, during dissolution, and is housed in Ansbach, Bavaria, with its brigade quartered in Bamberg, Illesheim, Nuremberg, Crailsheim and Zindorf. It will remain in West Germany during the next two decades.
In 1980, the 1st Armored Division takes into account its first heavy tank M1 Abrams to replace their M60. Ten years later, Iraq invaded Kuwait. President George HW Bush sends an expeditionary force of U.S. Army to protect the Saudi border. This operation Desert Shield ("Desert Shield"), who will hand January 17, 1991 in Operation Desert Storm ("Desert Storm"), the Allied offensive aimed at driving the Iraqis from Kuwait. The 7th U.S. Corps stationed in Germany, including the 1st Infantry Division and 1st Armored Division, is one and is dispatched to the Persian Gulf.
When the ground phase of Desert Storm begins February 24, 1991, the 1st Armoured Division was the spearhead of the U.S. 7th Corps. During the four days, it destroys several divisions of elite Republican Guard, traversing 250 km in Iraq, destroying 768 enemy vehicles and captured 1064 prisoners of war, without losing itself only 4 killed in combat. Then the Division returned to Germany May 8, 1991, and celebrates a visit by Vice President Dan Quayle.
The December 18, 1995, commanded by Maj. Gen. William L. Nash, the division was deployed in the north-eastern Bosnia, as part of Task Force Eagle (TF-Eagle) a mission of international peacekeeping under the authority of NATO (SFOR). The Americans are acting in cooperation with the Russian brigade of Colonel Alexander Ivanovich Lentsov (see the book by James Nelson, Bosnia Journal ). The following year she returned to Germany.
In 1999, the division was sent again in the Balkans. This time in Kosovo, to participate in operations Allied Force and Joint Guardian. After that, she trained intensively in Hohenfels and Grafenwöhr taking part in the exercises very realistic "Opposition Forces (OPFOR).
Photo below: NATO-Russia joint patrol in Bosnia. A Bradley of the 1st Armoured Division with a BTR-80 from the 76th Airborne Division near Zvornik. February 29, 1996.
4 ° Global war against terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom (2003-Present).
Currently, the brigades of the 1st Armored Division are regularly deployed in Iraq or in other countries in the Middle East, as part of the global war against terrorism.
In March 2003, the invasion of Iraq. Two battalions of the 3rd Brigade of the 1st Armoured Division are deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom scattered in other divisions like the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions, or the 3rd Infantry Division: This is the 2nd Battalion, 70th Armored Regiment and 1st Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment. They take part in attacks against U.S. As Samawah and Karbala, and later invest the southern part of the capital Baghdad.
In April 2003, the rest of the division was shipped to Iraq under the command of Brigadier General Martin E. Dempsey, to meet the 3rd Infantry Division. According to the schedule
expected, the division must remain in Iraq one year and return to Germany in April 2004. But because of fierce fighting against Shiite extremist militia of Moqtada Sadr, it must remain on site for one additional quarter. During these three months, the 1st Battalion "Bandits " 37th Armoured Regiment battle Sadr's militiamen in Karbala, and the 2nd Battalion " Dukes" of the same regiment in Diwaniya, Sadr City, Al Kut and Najaf. The 1st Battalion " Spartans" of the 36th Armored Infantry Regiments became the force séserve Task Force CJTF-7 in Baghdad and conducts operations in support of the 1st Cavalry Division. The 2nd Brigade
combat in Al-Kut. During Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003, the 1st Armored Division lost 125 soldiers killed in combat.
The 3rd Brigade, from Fort Riley, Kan., is deployed to Iraq in January 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom III, after only eight months of rest. It is embedded in the 3rd Infantry Division to form the Task Force Baghdad. The 2nd Brigade
is sent to Kuwait in November 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom IV after three months placed in reserve. In May 2006, two other brigade of the division were deployed in Ramadi. In August 2006, the 2nd Brigade leaves Kuwait for deployment in the area of the Baghdad International Airport.
In September 2007, the headquarters of the 1st Armoured Division was again deployed to Iraq. He assumed command of the "Multinational Division North," whose headquarters is based in Tikrit, 28 October 2007. This division consists of five multinational brigades maneuver combat, a combat aviation brigade, an artillery brigade and a brigade support engineering. Its area of influence covers the provinces of Ninewa, Kirkuk, Salah ad Din, Diyala, Dahuk and As Sulaymaniah.
5 ° Fort Bliss and BRAC Plan 2005.
The "Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) process is a U.S. federal government established in 2005 by the Department of Defense. This is a reduction plan aimed at demobilizing some units and military installations have become useless in the U.S. or worldwide, to reduce transaction costs and equipment maintenance. The Commisssion
BRAC 2005 decided to move the 1st Armored Duvision its bases in Germany to Fort Bliss, Texas, gradually from 2008 to 2012.
- Divisional Headquarters: HQ of the 1st Armoured Division, currently in Iraq, is scheduled to relocate to Fort Bliss in 2011.
- 1st Brigade: quartered in Friedberg until April 20, 2007, the Ready First Brigade moved to Fort Bliss after 62 years of military presence in Germany.
- 2nd Brigade: quartered at Baumholder, it remains under the authority of NATO until July 15, 2009, when is abandoning its facilities and frame units to the new 170th Brigade Combat [Heavy Infantry] independent . The 2nd Brigade is Heavy Metal now being rebuilt and redeployed to Fort Bliss.
- 3rd Brigade: Brigade Bulldogs off March 28, 2008 in Fort Riley, then reactivated July 2, 2009 at Fort Bliss.
- 4th Brigade: Brigade Highlanders is on March 4, 2008 at Fort Bliss.
- 5th Brigade: experimental and non-deployable unit activated in 2007 and designed to test the new system Future Force Warrior .
- Combat Aviation Brigade: formed April 16, 1986 and deactivated on June 7, 2006 Fliegerhorst Kaserne (Hanau), Germany. Reactivated in the United States, it is first quartered at Fort Riley, then eventually moved to Fort Bliss in 2010.
- Engineer Brigade: off April 26, 2007 in Giessen, Germany.
- Divisional Artillery (DIVARTY): disabled May 1, 2007 in Baumholder, Germany.
(1) " Troop " common term used in the U.S. cavalry to designate the "Platoon" ( Platoon in the infantry).
(2) HHC: Headquarter and Headquarter Company.
HHB: Headquarter and Headquarter Battery
Current organization of the 1st U.S. armored division.
Since its relocation to Fort Bliss, Texas (late 2008), the U.S. 1st Armoured Division was reorganized to meet the new modular concept following the "Amended table of organization and equipment (MTOE). Each of these four heavy brigades of combat is now composed of a battalion of "Special Troops" (administrative, logistical support & maintenance, engineering troops), an armored cavalry squadron (M1A2 Abrams and M3 Bradley ), a battalion of tanks (M1A2 Abrams ), an infantry battalion Armoured (M2 Bradley or M113), a field artillery battalion (M109 Paladin ) and finally a brigade support battalion. His combat aviation brigade is composed of the side of helicopters AH-64D Apache and UH-60A Black Hawk .
Below: the M113 still used in fire support mission (variants M981 or M901 FISTV ITV).
• "Special Troops" divisional (Communications, Engineering, Logistics, ...)
- 1st Battalion, 4th Regiment of DCA (24 M2/M3 Bradley PHL and 12 M998/M1097 HMMWV Avenger ).
- 141st Signal Battalion The Communicators .
- five hundred and first Military Intelligence Battalion.
- 123rd Battalion of maintenance and logistics services.
- five hundred and first Military Police Company.
- Fanfare.
• 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Ready First (HBCT).
- 1st Battalion Special Troops Brigade Black Knights.
- 6th Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment Black Hawks (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 37th Armored Regiment Bandits (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 1st Battalion, 36th Armored Infantry Regiment Spartans (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Gunners (18 M109A6 Paladin and 15 M981A3 FISTV).
- five hundred and first Brigade Support Battalion Providers (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 2nd Brigade Combat Heavy Metal Heavy (HBCT).
- 2nd Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 1st Squadron, 1st Armored Cavalry Regiment (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 35th Armored Regiment Conqueror (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 1st Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 4th Battalion, 27th Field Artillery Regiment Iron Thunder (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 47th Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Bulldogs (IBCT).
- 3rd Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 1st Squadron, 13th Armored Cavalry Regiment (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 2nd Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment Armoured (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion, 41st Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 4th Battalion 1st Field Artillery Regiment (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 125th Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• 4th Brigade Combat Heavy Highlanders (HBCT).
- 4th Special Troops Battalion of the brigade.
- 2nd Squadron 13th Armored Cavalry Regiment (27 M1A2 Abrams and 39 M3 Bradley ).
- 1st Battalion of the 77th Armoured Regiment (58 M1A2 Abrams ).
- 4th Battalion, 6th Armored Infantry Regiment (58 M2 Bradley ).
- 2nd Battalion, 29th Field Artillery Regiment (18 M109A6 Paladin ).
- 121st Brigade Support Battalion (M981 Fire Support Team Vehicle).
• Brigade Combat Aviation.
- 1st Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- 2nd Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (30 UH-60A Black Hawk ).
- 3rd Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- 4th Battalion, five hundred and first Aviation Regiment (24 AH-64D Apache ).
- the 127th Support Battalion (30 UH-60A, HH-12 Pave Hawk 60M, 12 CH-47D Chinook ).
Sources available: 1
1st Armored Division (en.wikipedia.org).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1st_Armored_Division_ (United_States)
2 ° 1st Armoured Division (United States) (fr.wikipedia.org).
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/1re_division_blind% C3% A9e_ (% C3% 89tats U.S.)
3 1st Armored Division (globalsecurity.org).
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/1ad.htm
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