69th Infantry Division (United States)

The 69th Infantry Division, nicknamed the "fighting 69th,"[1][2] was a Division of the United States Army formed during World War II. It is distinct from the 69th Infantry Regiment (New York) (the "Fighting 69th").

69th Infantry Division
69th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1943–1945
1954–1956
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeInfantry
SizeDivision
Nickname(s)The Fighting 69th
EngagementsWorld War II

The shoulder sleeve insignia of the division was designed by its then commander Maj. Gen. Charles L. Bolte with the red, white and blue being the colors of the United States forming a "6" and a "9".[3]

World War II

Order of battle
  • Headquarters, 69th Infantry Division
  • 271st Infantry Regiment
  • 272nd Infantry Regiment
  • 273rd Infantry Regiment
  • Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 69th Infantry Division Artillery
    • 724th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
    • 879th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
    • 880th Field Artillery Battalion (105 mm)
    • 881st Field Artillery Battalion (155 mm)
  • 269th Engineer Combat Battalion
  • 369th Medical Battalion
  • 69th Cavalry Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
  • Headquarters, Special Troops, 69th Infantry Division
    • Headquarters Company, 69th Infantry Division
    • 769th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
    • 69th Quartermaster Company
    • 569th Signal Company
    • Military Police Platoon
    • Band
  • 69th Counterintelligence Corps Detachment

Combat chronicle
Sign at Weissenfels castle gate commemorating the taking of the town in April 1945

The 69th Infantry Division arrived in England, 12 December 1944, where it continued its training.

It landed in Le Havre, France, 24 January 1945, and moved to Belgium to relieve the 99th Division, 12 February, and hold defensive positions in the Siegfried Line. The division went over to the attack, 27 February, capturing the high ridge east of Prether to facilitate use of the Hellenthal-Hollerath Highway.

In a rapid advance to the east, the 69th took Schmidtheim and Dahlem, 7 March. The period from 9 to 21 March was spent in mopping up activities and training. The division resumed its forward movement to the west bank of the Rhine, crossing the river and capturing the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein, 27 March.

It relieved the 80th Division in Kassel, 7 April, seized Hannoversch Münden on the 8th and Weissenfels on the 14th against sharp opposition, and captured Leipzig, 19 April, following a fierce struggle within the city. Eilenburg fell, 23 April, and the east bank of the Mulde River was secured.

Two days later, division patrols in the area between the Elbe and the Mulde Rivers contacted elements of the Soviet 5th Guards Army at Strehla, in the vicinity of Riesa and again at Torgau on Elbe Day. Until VE-day, the 69th patrolled and policed its area. Occupation duties were given to the division until it left for home and inactivation 7 September.

Casualties
  • Total battle casualties: 1,506[4]
  • Killed in action: 341[4]
  • Wounded in action: 1,146[4]
  • Missing in action: 9[4]
  • Prisoner of war: 10[4]

Training division

In 1954 the 69th Division was reactivated under Major general Cornelius E. Ryan as a training division at Fort Dix, New Jersey replacing the 9th Infantry Division that was sent to Europe. the 69th was deactivated in March 1956.[5] The shoulder patch of the 69th was worn by the actors playing soldiers on The Phil Silvers Show.

References

Notes
  1. "World War II Divisional Combat Chronicles". history.army.mil. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  2. "United States Holocaust Memorial Museum". United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, Holocaust Encyclopedia. Retrieved 11 March 2016.
  3. "Infantry Divisions - 038 69th Infantry Division - World War II Archives of Wartime Publications". wartimepress.com. Archived from the original on 20 June 2011. Retrieved 1 October 2017.
  4. Army Battle Casualties and Nonbattle Deaths, Final Report (Statistical and Accounting Branch, Office of the Adjutant General, 1 June 1953)
  5. "Fort Dix, New Jersey". techbastard.com.
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