84th Infantry Division-- Part 2: In the Thick of the Fighting At the End

The division saw its first combat in November during Operation Clipper at Geilenkirchen, Germany.  They took Geilenk 19 November.  they saw further fighting before moving to Belgium to help stop the German winter offensive in what became known as the Battle of the Bulge.

There, the division battled snow, sleet and rain as well as very cold temperatures and near constant German attacks.

When that ended, they crossed the Roer River and took two cities and then crossed the Niers and then Rhine rivers.

On 1 April the 84th captured Hanover, then 13 April reached the Elbe River and finally met Soviet troops 2 May 1945.  They liberated two Nazi satellite concentration camps.

After the surrender, the 84th did occupation duty and returned to the United States 19 January 1946.

Casualties during time in European Theater:

Total:  7,260   KIA: 1,284,  WIA: 5,098, MIA:  129, POW: 749.

Days in combat: 170.

--GreGen