![]() Army to equip two of its field artillery battalions with captured German pieces to take advantage of the enemy ammunition stocks captured in France. The German 105mm was sufficiently similar to the American 105mm howitzer, and there were enough similarities overall between each army’s guns to allow the U.S. The American guns were a bit heavier than their German counterparts and generally had a longer range. Army and German Wehrmacht in World War II. (National Archives)Īt first glance, there seems to be little difference between the artillery branches of the U.S. ground forces entered combat in 1942, both of these pieces were being replaced by modern and much more effective guns. Army’s primary field artillery pieces were the French-designed M1897 75mm gun and M1918 155mm howitzer (above). Dennis At the beginning of World War II, the U.S. The Division then cut across the Elbe and swept north into Mecklenburg, effecting a junction with the Russians as the war in Europe ended.Written By: William G. ![]() On 16 April the 53d German Panzer Corps surrendered to the Division and the eastern sector of the pocket collapsed. The 7th returned to the offensive on 26 March, breaking out of the Remagen bridgehead, and took part in the reduction of the Ruhr Pocket. In March 1945 the Division held defensive positions along the west bank of the Rhine, south of Bonn to Unkelbach. February and part of March were spent in rest and rehabilitation. After a brief rest in January 1945, the Division returned to positions near St. It shifted to Manhay, Belgium, and by the end of December had cleared the town of the enemy. Vith where it absorbed much of the weight of the German drive and was forced to withdraw west of the Salm River, 23 December. It was preparing to drive into Germany when the Von Rundstedt winter offensive began on 16 December 1944. ![]() ![]() After resting during November, the Division returned to the front near Linnich, Germany, on the banks of the Roer. The 7th then shifted to Holland, where on 8 October it joined in defensive operations protecting the British-Canadian drive to clear the northern and western approaches to Antwerp. The Division was repulsed in its attacks across the Seille River. The 7th halted briefly for refueling and then drove on toward the Moselle near Dornot. From Chartres the Division advanced to capture Dreux, Melun, and Chateau-Thierry, crossed the Seine River, 24 August, and pushed on to take Verdun, 31 August. The Division landed on Omaha and Utah Beaches, 13-14 August 1944, and drove through Nogent-le-Rotrou in an attack on Chartres. ![]()
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