71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion Map Feb 1945 to May 1945

Movements of 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion and Battery B 387th AA Battalion, attached to the 5th Armored Division February 8 to May 9, 1945.

The companion movement map is also available here: Movements of 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion Feb 1945 to May 1945. Buy both maps and save money.

Commanded by Lt. Colonel I.B. Washburn, the 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion was attached to the 5th Armored Division for its final drive across Germany.

The 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion crossed the English Channel and landed on Utah Beach as part of the D-Day operations. The battalion then advanced rapidly through France, participating in combat near St. Lo, contributing to breaking through German resistance, and moving towards Le Mans, where they faced fierce fighting.

They were involved in the operations to seal the Falaise Gap, preventing German forces from escaping. During this time, they also met and operated with the French 2nd Armored Division.

Their journey continued into Belgium and Germany, where they breached the Siegfried Line and faced harsh winter conditions and intense fighting, notably in the Hurtgen Forest. They continued their eastward push, crossing the Weser River, supporting other divisions, and engaging the enemy until they reached the Elbe River. Their mission concluded there as the war in Europe came to an end.