More 86th Blackhawk Division History

^{History of the 86th USARCOM Page 2 of 6}

^{WWII Transfer to Europe}

More Ericsson Information

Edmund B. Alexander

At this time the 86th Infantry Division was composed of the 341^st, 342^nd, and 343^rd Infantry Regiments; the 331^st 332^nd and 911^th Field Artillery Battalions ( 105mm Howitzer); the 404^th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer), the 311^th Engineer Combat Battalion, the 86^th Calvary Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized), and various combat service support units.

Combat Chronicle- 86th Infantry Division

^{Arrival in Germany}

On March 22, 1945, the Blackhawks were alerted and ordered to join the newly formed 15th Army, which had not yet been committed to combat. The Division departed Yvetot by train and proceeded to Aachen, Germany, by way of Amiens, France, Namur, Belgium and Maastnch in the Netherlands. The division then trucked from Aachen to the outskirts of Cologne, where it was assigned billets to the rear of the 8^th Infantry Division which was on line along the west bank of the Rhine. German Army forces held the east bank..

Cologne (Köln)

Cologne was an important medieval trading city and is nowadays a major industrial and commercial centre.
Its skyline is dominated by the towering twin spires of the Dom, one of Europe's best known cathedrals.
This structure is a classic example of Gothic church architecture and has 56 pillars supporting a massive roof. Building of the Dom started in 1248; but,  continued until the cathedral was finally inaugurated in 1880.

After WW II, the cathedral was restored.

1st Commitment To Combat

^{During the night of March 28-29, the Blackhawk's relieved the 8th Infantry Division}. Köln Map

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   ^{and assumed its mission of defending the west bank of the Rhine. This 23 mile front, was  from north of Cologne (Köln) to the vicinity of Bonn. The Blackhawks conducted reconnaissance of possible river-crossing sites. The division continued in the performance of this mission for the next 8 days. During that time they took part in artillery duels,  gave and received small arms fire, and turned back probes by German patrols to the German side of the Rhine}

^{Although few Blackhawkers realized it at the time, they formed part of an Allied cordon which encircled the 4,000 square mile Ruhr industrial region. Two weeks later the Ruhr would fall and 317,000 enemy troops would be taken prisoner -- the largest mass surrender of German troops to take place during the war.}