wulfir
Posts: 3091
Joined: 9/11/2001 From: Sweden Status: offline
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Originally posted by Baron von Beergut: My personal favorite would be the 3d Infantry Div as I think it had the longest time in combat of any US division: North Africa, Sicily, Italy, Southern France and on through Germany. The airborne units were well trained and highly motivated, but did not have near as much time in the line as most units.
Agreed, the 3rd was in the thick of it quite a lot. I’m a little surprised you didn’t mention the 28th Infantry Division. They came from Pennsylvania (I think) and saw some really heavy fighting in 1944.
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Originally posted by Les the Sarge 9-1: I am going to put the 1st Special Service Force up to take occolades.
1st SSF, interesting – I was under the impression that they had been somewhat unsuccessful because they were disbanded. I guess I was wrong. Now I will for sure have to get some details on this unit. Isn’t there a modern Canadian (elite) unit with a similar name?
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Originally posted by Valdor: For infantry divisions the 1st Infantry (Big Red One) was considered pretty good. Among armored divisions I would have to give the edge to the 2d Armored Division (Hell on Paper--oops, that would be Hell on Wheels
1st Infantry and 2nd Armored, I suspected these two would show up. North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and all the way to Germany. Something of the senior workhorses, I think. 2nd Armored had some kind of a race with the US 83rd Infantry Division in 1945 but I belive they lost it. Good units anyway, no doubt.
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Originally posted by Kurt: It sounds a cliche but I think the honour would have to go to one of the German units who served for the duration of the war on several fronts in extreme conditions.... possibly DAS REICH seeing as they received more Knights Crosses than any other unit (I think). Or maybe one of the other German units like GrossDeutschland.
The Germans often fought magnificently; time and time again they displayed their ability for war. I believe that they remained superior on the tactical level until the very final stages of the war and some very savage fighting was required to defeat them. This however only speaks to the advantage of the troops who faced them. The allied soldiers might not have had the equipment or training the Germans had but what they had was good enough. I also don’t think the numerical superiority of the allies would have counted for much if the troops themselves had not had the proper fighting spirit. (Also, I asked about US units because I pretty much know the top German and British Commonwealth ones.)
About the British general, I don’t have the book in front of me now, but I think he said something like: “I am proud to shake hands with the commander of the best division in the modern world”, right after the Paratroopers of 504th PIR, US 82nd Abn Div made that daring attack on the Nijmegen bridge. I guess they made quite an impression on him.
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Originally posted by chief: Don't forget the Japanese Americans of the 42nd (Go for Broke) Division, it was one of the most decorated units in WW2, ask the boys from Texas who were relieved by them in the Bulge.....
Yes, I have heard about them (442nd regiment). A fearsome bunch! I have even heard that they were the most decorated American unit in WWII, not sure about it though but I bet knowing that they were on the other side of No Mans Land put few smiles on the Germans facing them.
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Originally posted by RUsco: Old Hickory, the 30th Infantry Division. Aty Mortain, France the 30th fought off the 1st SS Panzer Div., The remenants of the 2nd SS Panzer Div, that ws filled up with elements of the 17th SS Panzer Grenadier Div., the 2nd Panzer Div, and the 116th panzer Div. At this time the 30th was 1,000 men short. The German nickname for the 30th was "Mr. Roosevelts SS".
Can’t argue with that. I understand the 30th Infantry Division relived the 1st Infantry Division at Mortain and was told that there wasn’t a German for hundred of miles with any fight left in him and started to relax but soon came under attack by some of the best the Germans could field. More or less alone the division faced the full fury of the German attack and though pushed to the brink of disintegration they defeated it.
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Originally posted by AmmoSgt: Division hmmm 34th Inf Div Texas ( BigT) which later incorporated the 44Deuce ( Go For Broke) but the US had so many truely Great Divisions it is hard to pick ..I think maybe there might just be a Few Marine Divisions in the Pacific that should be considered .. and Yes The 82nd and the 101st would be on the list ... I disagree with whoever posted the Germans have a Horse in this race ..since they tended to lose alot, and any Divison that actually surrendered probably doesn't qualify as great.
I really agree about the 34th Infantry Division and you are right about the Germans. After all, the question was about top US division and the Germans had no US divisions. Still I believe that the Germans, even if they lost the war and had many formations shot to pieces, had some very outstanding formations. One example is the 1st Fallschirmjaeger Division who made life miserable for several allied units, among them the US 34th Inf Div.
My own favourite American units are the 34th Infantry Division and the 79th Infantry Division. Saw some hard fighting on slightly "forgotten" fronts – not always successful. A lot of mud, blood and death and little glamour. The 83rd Infantry Division is another interesting unit. Perhaps not a very long combat career but with an (healthy) aggressive attitude.
Also, I hope no Yank feel insulted by the fact that I am making comments of various units that fought in the Second World War. I should perhaps point out that I feel we owe very much to the troops that defeated Nazi Germany and that not a single one was Swedish.
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Semper in Primis
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