^{History of the 86th USARCOM Page 3 of 6}                           Last update 16 Jan 2002

86th USARCOM Crest

The Blackhawkers’ introduction to combat on the Rhine is symbolized by the three crowns which appear on the unit crest that was worn by all soldiers assigned to the 86th USARCOM. These crowns are borrowed from the coat of  the arms of Cologne, near which the Division first held positions in combat the area during World War II; they refer to participation in the Central European Campaign. The four-sided equilateral background symbolizes equity and order, it alludes to the organization's management and control function. The three Magi, whose relics  were brought to the city in 1164.

To East of the Rhine

Crossed the Rhine River South of the Remagen Bridge

Across the Rhine into Germany on the 969 foot heavy pontoon bridge  The view is from East to West Pontoon Bridge at Remagen Information about capture of Bridge at Remagen The Ludendorff Bridge At Remagen German Information About The Bridge at Remagen

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.         However, the  86th  Infantry  Division would not be present to witness the collapse. The Germans were falling back north and south of the Ruhr and the Blackhawkers were chosen to help pursue the enemy into southern Germany. On April 5,  the 86th; Infantry  Division was relieved by elements of the 82nd  Airborne Division and began to prepare for its first offensive operation of the war.

Ruhr Pocket

On April  6, 1945, the 86th Infantry Division spearheaded the attack against the German forces in the Ruhr Pocket. The 86th  made an end run down the flank of the Ruhr Pocket, then cut left, splitting the German forces and linking up with elements of the 9th Army. During this attack, the 86th captured the major cities of Attendorn, Luderscheid and Hagen, effectively ending further attack by the German forces. This was attributed to the fact that the  86th  had successfully  maintained  the  tactical advantage of speed and maneuver  throughout the assault.  Had the attack been initiated with less speed and  determination, it is quite possible that the Germans could have bolstered their defensive positions on the flank and held the 86th at bay for   at least three to six more days which would definitely have resulted in higher Blackhawk casualties.        The  86th Infantry Division, during this period, consisted of the 341st, 342nd and 343rd Infantry Regiments. In support of the Infantry regiments was the 86th Division Artillery consisting of the 331st, 332nd, 404th and 911th Field Artillery Battalions. Combat service support was provided by the 86th Signal Company, 786 Ordinance Company, 86th Quartermaster Company, 86th Reconnaissance Troop, 311th Combat Engineer Battalion, 311th Medical Battalion and the 86th Counter-Intelligence Corps Detachment.  Click on Map To enlarge The View

Bavaria and Southern Germany

With end of the battle for the Ruhr Pocket on April 16, 1945, the 86th was immediately assigned the mission of assisting General Patton's  famed 3rd Army in the drive into Southern Germany.        The area into which the  86th  now found itself was Bavaria, where Hitler had chosen  to  build his "Redoubt" at Berchtesgaden. Hitler professed in the closing days of the war that it would be in this area that the German Reich would make a final stand, shattering the allied advance and providing the springboard for the German recon quest. Needless to say, the Fuhrer was wrong.       The 86th, spearheading Patton's 3rd Army, moved through Bavaria  in a rapid sweep of 16 days, covering 110 miles, crossing, six major rivers and taking the cities Ansback, Ingolstadt, Freising, and Oberdorf. Map of Ingolstadt Area Map of INGOLSTADT, 85049  The Blackhawkers also  took their share of casualties during this period; but, because of  their rapid advance, they prevented the  Germans from developing any effective defenses.  Resistance was met in small pockets and many of these position were simply by-passed by the lead units and mopped up by the trailing elements.         On May 8, 1945, the German nation surrendered. The 86th  Infantry Division participated in three major battles: the Rhine, the Ruhr, and Bavaria. It captured   53,354 German prisoners, conquered 220 miles of German territory, and forded six major rivers. (including the Danube at Ingolstadt)

German Web Site of the 86th INFANTRY DIVISION

An interesting sidelight to this story is that the  Blackhawkers were responsible for the capture of the axis minister of Hungary who had in his possession the crown of St. Stephen, an early king of Hungary.  The crown, a rare capture indeed, is priceless in its historical value to the Hungarian people. In 1978, the crown was returned to Hungary by the United States as a gesture of good will.

VE-Day and Return To USA

VE-Day marked the end of another chapter in the history of the 86th Further chapters would soon follow as the War  Department had new plans for the Blackhawkers’ -

The Planned Invasion of Japan

The 86th departed  Germany and headed for to Camp Old Gold and thence to LeHavre, France, where they boarded troop ships for the trip to the 86th  Street  Pier in New York City.

AP 131 - USS T H Bliss	USS GEN J R BROOKE AP-132
AP 46 - James Parker

The division then went to Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. From Camp Kilmer the men of the 86th  were granted 30 days of leave.

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