1st Armored Division - Old Ironsides

Activated 15 Jul 1940  •  Entered Combat 8 Nov 1942 North Africa  •  Days of Combat 360•  Casualties 7,096 

Campaign Map of the 1st Armored Division

Division Chronicle

Elements of the 1st Armored Division first went into action in the North African invasion, landing at Oran 8 November 1942 and taking the city. The Division fought numerous actions in North Africa, at Maknassy, El Guettar, Gafsa, and Kasserine Pass, and engaged in the final campaign to reduce enemy resistance in Tunisia, occupying Mateur 3 May 1943. The Division was then reorganized in French Morocco.

Elements took part in the initial landings at Salerno and Paestum, Italy, 9 September 1943, while other elements took part in the fighting near the Rapido River in mid-December 1943. Units under a Task Force Allen attacked and seized Mount Porchia, 4-9 January 1944, suffering heavy casualties. The Division was then switched to the Anzio beachhead, first elements landing 24 January 1944, where they repulsed heavy counterattacks and maintained defensive positions for 4 months, building up for the final break-through 23 May 1944.

The Division drove through and north of Rome, .moving 200 miles in 5 days. It continued to fight its way northward through successive defensive and offensive actions, crossed the Arno 1 September 1944 and engaged in the slow, bitter advance through the Apennines. The Division broke through into the Po Valley in April 1945, took Milan 30 April, and was driving north to Cigliano when German forces in Italy capitulated 2 May 1945. The Division thereupon engaged in occupational duties and became part of the Army of Occupation until 16 April 1946, when it sailed for home.