Central Europe
The following is a historical narrative on the 82nd Airborne Division’s involvement in the Central Europe Campaign during April - May 1945.
Based on official/restricted after-action reports, it describes in great detail the 82nd’s combat action at the Rhine River and east of the Elbe River.
Included is a narrative of the unit commanders, ranking staff officers, the surrender of the German 21st Army to the 82nd Airborne, and burial of the Wobbelin camp victims.
Also included is the distribution list of the report to the various headquarters and ranking allied officers.
Only 110 original courtesy copies of this confidential report were distributed to include Generals Eisenhower, Marshall, Bradley, Ridgeway, Gavin, March, Field Marshal Montgomery and others.
(Courtesy of the family of Lt. George Cole)
(Click on tabs below to access each section of the report)
Action on the Rhine
(see below presented by date in a slideshow fashion - side controls to the next or previous image)
Unit History, Journal, Illustrations and Messages 5/1/45 to 6/3/45
(see below presented by date in a slideshow fashion - side controls to the next or previous image)
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See summary below in bullet point format of the above May 1945 journal and history
May 1, 1945 - Alt Gorge, Germany
Battalion Positioned at Alt Gorge
Mission: general support, reinforcing the fires of the 376th Parachute Field Artillery Battalion
Rapidly advancing infantry over the Elbe River
No firing since registration on April 29th
Some personnel still enroute from the Cologne area
May 2, 1945 - Haar, Germany
Reconnaissance for New Positions
Lt. Col. James C. Todd and battery commanders conduct reconnaissance
Alerted for movement and started displacement
Crossing the Elbe River at Bleckede
Battalion CP opened in Haar, Germany; firing batteries west of CP
Rail party led by Capt. Robert M. Cargile arrives after a night-long journey
May 3, 1945 - Karenz, Germany
Encounter with Surrendering German Army
A quiet morning with no enemy or friendly fire
German soldiers surrendering without resistance
Battalion not called upon for fire as infantry advances
Reconnaissance for new positions in the vicinity of Karenz, Germany
Displacement preparations made
May 4, 1945 - Karenz, Germany
Surrender of the German Army
Displacement from Hof Heidhof to Karenz
Encountered a massive column of surrendering German soldiers
German Army laid down arms; vehicles, horses, and equipment scattered
No rounds fired from the new positions in Karenz
May 5, 1945 - Karenz, Germany
Contact with the Russian Army
Battalion makes contact with the Russian Army
Brief encounters with Russian soldiers
Alerted for movement to Alt Krenzlin for policing and screening duties
Battalion area divided into sectors; occupational duties commence
May 6, 1945 - Alt Krenzlin, Germany
Appointment of Military Government Officer
Major Fred J. Silvey appointed Military Government Officer
Battalion area divided into sectors; occupational duties continue
May 7, 1945 - Alt Krenzlin, Germany
Return of Former POW
Private First Class Edwin Y. Webb, former battalion member, returns after liberation from a German POW camp
May 8, 1945 - Alt Krenzlin, Germany
Cessation of Hostilities
Cessation of hostilities in the sector
Marks the end of the war in Europe for the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion
Reflecting on two years of service, from Casablanca to Ludwigslust, including glider missions, combat, and occupation duties
May 17, 1945 - Lubtheen, Germany
Relieved of Duty in Alt Krenzlin
Battalion relieved from duty in Alt Krenzlin area, proceeds to Lubtheen, Germany
Assigned policing duties in Lubtheen area
June 3, 1945 - Hagenow, Germany
Entrainment for Return to France
Fifty-eight men and officers entrain at Hagenow, Germany, for Laon, France
Battalion relieved by the British 92nd Regiment of the 5th Division
June 4, 1945 - Laon, France
Return to France
Rest of the battalion leaves Lubtheen for Laon, France
Marks the return to France exactly one year after the Normandy invasion
Action East of the Elbe River
(see below presented by date in a slideshow fashion - side controls to the next or previous image)
Unit Commanders and officers - Surrender of the Germany 21st Army - Burial of Wobbelin victims
(see below presented by date in a slideshow fashion - side controls to the next or previous image)
Maps
82nd Airborne motor and rail routes to Cologne - Cologne to Elbe River - April/May 1945
82nd Airborne Rhine River defense - April/May 1945
82nd Airborne military government areas - Cologne sector - April/May 1945
82nd Airborne Elbe River crossing and bridgehead - April 30, 1945
82nd Airborne operations May 3, 1945 - contact with Russian troops
82nd Airborne occupation of Area 3 - May 19, 1945
82nd Airborne military occupation of Area 20 - May 20, 1945 to June 1, 1945
Distribution
