20th Armored Division Campaign Map

The 20th Armored Division entered combat in the final days of World War II, giving its route one of the shortest and most concentrated combat histories among American armored divisions. After arriving at Le Havre in February 1945, the division trained in France, moved through Belgium into Germany, and was assigned to Seventh Army as the Allied advance pressed into Bavaria.

Its first action came in late April, when elements fought near Dorf after a false surrender led to combat in the town. From there, the division assembled near Deiningen, reconnoitered routes to the Danube, and crossed the river on April 28 against scattered resistance. Its movement reflected the character of the war’s final week in southern Germany: rapid advances, local opposition, collapsing command structures, and a constant push toward the next river or road center.

The division’s most visible operation came at Munich. On April 29, the 20th Armored attacked the city, overcoming resistance around SS and military installations before Munich fell the next day. It then crossed the Inn at Wasserburg, entered Traunstein, and was moving toward Salzburg when news came that hostilities would cease. The map captures a compressed final campaign, from late entry into combat to the last armored movements across Bavaria.

PAPER & PRINTING

Printed on archival-grade, acid-free matte fine-art paper with a natural surface for crisp detail, accurate color, and lasting display quality.