This patch is part of the Payne Family's private collection of WWII keepsakes.
The 6th Armored Division was part of General Patton's famous Third Army. They began their quest to win Europe back from Germany in North Africa. The campaign through North Africa was known as Operation Torch, which was an attack on Morocco and Algeria. The first major Battle Germany and the Allies took place at Kasserine Pass, which you can see on the map. During this battle they had to compete against the brilliant German General Erwin Rommel, whom they eventually defeated. After invading North Africa, the 6th Armored division began their Italian Campaign. First, the allies invaded Sicily and then they moved into Italy. The conquest of Italy was a long and bloody battle.
The Brittany Campaign began on July 18, 1944 and ended on the 17th of September, 1944. The Brittany Campaign took place in France; the allies were trying to push the German forces out. In only twelve days the allies had gained the cities of Brehal and Granville back. The allies moved ahead, up the Brittany Peninsula, toward the city of Brest. On the way to Brest, the Allies forced the Germans out of seven more cities. When they found out an infantry of German soldiers was coming, so they had to attack and destroy these troops before they could get to Brest. Once the allies defeated the German soldiers, they went on to capture Brest. The Brittany Campaign was finished; the super sixth turned east.
The Seille River Campaign began on the 18th of September, but the 6th Armored division didn't pick up much enemy resistance until the 22nd when they approached the Seille River. Once these attacks were stopped they pushed to Armuacourt, and then they went on to Amanee Hill. The super sixth was then sent to the west side of the Seille River; where they proceeded to take approximately seven more cities. From October 10th to November 7th no serious fighting was done. But orders were given to be ready at 0800 November 8th to move out. The Saar Campaign began on November 8, 1944. Here the supersixth pushed across the Saar River and forced themselves through five cities within 48 hours. From the 19th of November to the 23rd at least one village was taken a day, but on the 24th the 6th Armored division came to the Maginot line where bitter fighting lasted until the 5th of December. During this time the first German territory came into the Allies hands. December 6th through the 19th was supposed to be used for planning but the German counter attack broke in the Ardennes.
The Saar Campaign began on November 8, 1944. Here the Super Sixth pushed across the Saar River and forced themselves through five cities within 48 hours. From the 19 of November to the 23 at least one village was taken a day, but on the 24 of November the 6th armored divisioncame to the Maginot Line where bitter fighting lasted until the 5 of December. During this time the first German territorycame into the allies' hands. Decmber 6 through the 19 was supposed to be used for planning, but the German counter attack broke in the Ardennes.
The Ardennes Campaign began on Christmas day 1944. The 6th Armored division was continuously being relocated until they finally were put in Bastogne Belgium. This is where the famous Battle of Bulge occurred. The Germans attacked completely by surprise and put a 50 mile dent in the Allies line. During this battle every single available soldier was pushing the Germans back, and on January 27th the allies had pushed the Germans all the way back to Germany. The 6th Armored division played a vital role in the victory; they cleared out the south shoulder of the Ardennes Bulge.
On January 27th the 6th Armored division crossed the Our River and within 72 hours the super sixth penetrated through the Siegfried line for 10,000 meters. They captured 32 towns in the process. On the 25th of February resumed attack on the east side of the Prum River. Form March 4 to March 8th the division rested, and then they were sent back to France.
This picture was taken from, Fredrick, Brace.Combat History of the 6th AD.Online. Internet. 10 April 1999. Available http://members.aol.com/super6th2/cmbthist/cmbtbrtny.htm
On the 9th of March, the 6th Armored division attacked German fortifications. On March 20th, by the end of the day, the German line gave way. Within 24 hours, five German cities had fallen to the allies. Once the Rhine River was captured the super sixth patrolled its west bank until the 25th of March. On March 25th, 1945 the 6th Armored division crossed the Rhine Giver. On the 26th they captured the city of Fankfurt and went on to cross the Main River. They continued pushing through Germany towards Dassel. By March 30 50 miles of ground had been gained and approximately ten towns had risen white flags to the allies. While in these cities a large number of allied prisoners were found and freed. A rumor that Nazi government officials had been moved to Weimer changed the super sixth's course from Kassel to Weimer. The greatest challenge was crossing the rivers, due to lack of bridges, until the 4th of April when the Luftwaffe, German pilots attacked. On April 11 1945, the allied troops began counter-attacking the German pilots. The 6th Armored division continued to push to the Zachopan River, which is they were when the Second Great War ended on May 8, 1945.