If you do NOT see the Table of Contents frame to the left of this page, then
Click here to open 'USArmyGermany' frameset

4th Infantry Division
Ivy Division
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please email me (webmaster).

Division History

Famous Fourth (1951-1956)

HHB, DivArty (Photos 1952)

8th Inf Regt

46th AAA Bn

Division 76 ()

 
Division History
1952 - 1953
(Source: "4th Infantry Division, 1917-1953." Special Section of IVY LEAVES, the 4th Infantry Div newspaper, October 8, 1953)

Training Program During Past 12 Months Keeps Ivy Units Busy at Home, in Field
By Sgt Ken Walker
In and out of the field, to and from the classroom, out to the range and back, in the air and on the ground, training took a major slice out of the daily routine of 4th Division men during the past year.

In individual weapons firing, in squad and platoon tactics, in company and battery and battalion alerts and CPXs, in regimental and division maneuvers and problems, the Ivyman of the past 12 months was trained and retrained and trained again, until even the individual began to believe he was combat ready. His leaders knew it.

Basic style training In drill and PT and manual of arms was not forgotten. Over and above such fundamentals rose a structure of preparedness built on teamwork -- teamwork between individuals and between the larger units.

The best example of such teamwork about a year ago was "Exercise Rosebush," the mammoth French and American maneuvers which gave a workout to some 75,000 troops including the 4th Inf Div and ended in September with praise for all concerned.

"Rosebush" kept the 4th Inf Div in the field for 72 hours, in a simulated defense of a powerful "Aggressor" push from the East toward the Rhine River. Ivymen, among the defenders, were instrumental in halting the armored thrusts toward Giessen at the conclusion of the exercise, slowing the "Aggressor" to a far greater extent than was their mission.

Especially praised was the average Ivyman's awareness of the importance of security and teamwork. Camouflage also got a pat on the back.

During "Rosebush" one small Ivy unit pulled an unusual escape, after having been surrounded by "Aggressors" during the night. The unit dispatched a messenger to the enemy CP with a request for clearance for the unit to move forward. No enemy personnel checked identification, and the request was granted. The "Aggressor" even furnished an MP escort to speed the friendly troops on their way.

 
Helped by Dog Platoon
Hq Co, 8th Inf Regt, was accompanied during the problem by a squad from the 33d Inf Scout Dog Platoon, consisting of six German police dogs and their masters. The dogs ferreted out numerous small enemy positions that might otherwise have gone undiscovered.
The 22nd and 8th Inf Regts saw most of the action during "Rosebush," while the 12th was held in reserve and had to be content with light skirmishes. Together with the 14th Armd Cav Regt and other allied units, the 4th Inf Div at the close of the problem had thrown up a defensive wall before the city of Giessen that the "Aggressor" could not crack.

In the middle of September, the majority of Ivymen were still remembering "Rosebush." A few had other things more important to think about concerning their personal training. Two non-coms, one from the 8th and one from the 22d Inf Regt, departed for the States, temporarily, to attend the Army Helicopter Transport Pilot School at Ft. Sill, Okla. They were promoted to warrant officer junior grade at the end of the 17 week course. Other division men of company and battery TI&E sections were arriving and departing the Command Conference Leaders Course at Dachau, Germany, part of the USAREUR TI&E School.

The turn of October found Ivymen throughout the division engaged in individual training, with a purpose. They hoped to capture the division crown in fields such as marksmanship, care of vehicles, rifle squad technique of fire, tank crew drill, heavy weapons drill, best guidon bearer, outstanding private and outstanding NCO. With a little teamwork, they hoped to be among the best drilled carbine or rifle platoon. All these events were to be part of the October 10 Organization Day festivities.

In the midst of the preparations, the division hit the field, again, this time in a short CPX. While in the field, the division was visited by French Maj Gen Raymond Chomel, who toured the positions and was given a briefing on the tactical situation. This CPX was called "Exercise Equinox."

The middle of October found the 12th Inf Regt forsaking the ground for the air at the climax of air transportatbility classes. Instructors headed by 1st Lt Albert Smith went from one battalion to another, giving 16 hour classes, interspersed with practical work. At the of the instruction, Air Force C-82s took the troops aloft, complete with parachutes and Mae Wests, the use of which they had also been well taught.

About the same time, the P&A Plat of Hq Co, 1st Bn, 12th Inf Regt was training itself in bridge building for a good cause. The platoon threw a wooden span across the Kensig River near Gelnhausen in order that the town's citizens might have a short cut to a three-day horse show and festival.

Radio School Trained Man
Later in October, a shot in the arm was given radio communications in the division as 25 EM, trained in low and intermediate radio operation, graduated from the division radio school run by 4th Sig Co, and returned to their units.

Training in motor vehicle maintenance paid off in Hq Btry, 4th Div Arty, the last week in October, when they attained a record of 90 consecutive days without a motor vehicle deadlined. Three trained mechanics maintained the battery's 48 vehicles during the period. At the same time, a training program conducted by officers from Div Hq began for members of Frankfurt Military Post's Officer Reserve Corps. They reviewed organization, equipment and capabilities of an Infantry division.

November's first days saw the 3d Bn, 12th Regt, running through their squad in defense and squad in attack tactics under the eyes of Ivy CG Maj Gen Harlan N. Hartness at Wildflecken. The 3d Bn stayed six days in the area, using live ammo in the problems.

Throughout the division, training talks on motor vehicle safety deadlined vehicles for four-hour winter driving classes. Training aids and posters conveyed the major points in the program to all division drivers.

Bulldozers and land clearance training in the 4th Engr Bn gave a shot in the arm to the Ivy German-American relations program in mid-November, as the engineers cleared the site for a new Youth Center in Hanau. The previous center was destroyed during the past war.

Many Attended Schools
In the 8th Inf Regt, the number of men attending Army training schools simultaneously in mid-November was 146. USAREUR and Seventh Army schools were teaching Ivymen everything from cooking to defensive chemical warfare. The 22d Regt, in additlon, scheduled five schools of its own: voice radio, driving, typing, military tactics and basic education.

The 12th and 8th Regts had November visits to their training sites in the field and in the kasernes by a committee from Army Field Forces, bent on discovering any problems hlndering training. No criticisms were recorded.

November 24, men of the 4th Med Bn and other medical units in the division attended a refresher course in the making out of medical records and reports at Frankfurt's Div Hq.

As December began men of the 8th Regt began winter-long small bore firing training, preparing for three regimental matches to be held the following spring. End in view for the 8th's S3 section, and Col Orville Z. Taylor, Regt'l CO, was improvement of squad technique of fire. The regiment began a new cycle of clerical training at the same time, in the Friedberg Education Center, with duty-hours (illegible) and unit administration courses scheduled for four fours daily for a seven week period.

A series of training classes to indoctrinate Ivymen in methods of keeping warm and preventing frostbite, chills and frozen feet while participating in winter outdoor training was begun in December under the direction of the G3 section. The four-phase instruction included: cold injury, clothing and equipment, heat, shelter, water and food, and first aid and hygiene.

At the turn of the year, each Infantry battalion and Engineer company in the division underwent a week's training in surviving winter conditions. The troops were taught how to move, shoot and best exist during severe winter conditions. Included was training in skiing and snow-shoeing.

In mid-January the 29th FA Bn and the 8th Inf Regt began an exchange training series, designated to familiarize the Infantrymen with the Artillery and vice versa. The course took six days, and was repeated until all battery and company grade officers, as well as sergeants acting in those capacities, had taken the training.

Mammoth River Crossing
A mammoth five-day river crossing, "Exercise Boatride," began February 2, and reached its climax on the fourth day as all three regiments assaulted the Main River in a pre-daybreak attack. It was the largest assault river crossing for the division since its reactivation in October 1950.

The problem not only developed technical procedures involved in getting from one side of the river to the other without bridges but provided the practical training necessary for repeat performances, if needed.

After moving into a staging area the first day, the 4th Division units spent the next day getting the "Friendly" bank cleared of scattered "Aggressor" units. The third morning all units sent out patrols to co-ordinate the crossing.

On the morning of the fourth day, assault troops stormed across the river before dawn routing the Armored "Aggressor" forces from the beachhead on the far side. The assault climaxed two full days of round-the-clock probing of the enemy lines in snow and bitter cold. The first waves went over in plywood boats and on rubber rafts, while succeeding waves used landing craft, DUKWs or rubber rafts propelled by motor launches. Engineers immediately began working to complete two pontoon bridges, screened from observation by smoke generators. The first Ivy armor moved across the river just before noon on M2 rafts constructed from Treadway bridge sections. Supporting elements crossed the same evening and the final morning, while the Infantry expanded the bridgehead. Counter-attacks on the fifth morning were repulsed.

Other February Training
In mid-February, such things as rifle squad in the attack, platoon in the attack and both in defense, began to take the individual Ivyman's attention. At the same time, the 22d Inf Regt received its new 4.2 mm mortars and began training their heavy mortar company in earnest and a new heavy weapons school was opened for men of the same unit. The school offered a ten-week course in indirect fire, particularly in the use of the 75 and 57 mm recoilless rifles and the .30 cal machine gun.

On Feb. 10, a division-wide training program in preventive maintenance began at the request of Lt Gen Charles L. Bolte, Seventh Army CG. The two-day course was organized by the G4 section under Lt Col Vic Bodner.

As March drew near, all CW operators, switchboard operators and radio chiefs in the 8th Inf Regt attended one of two courses at a recent regimental communications school in Friedberg. Under the direction of Capt Robert Emrich, regimental commo officer, the school aimed at providing training in all spheres of communications. Tape recordings were made of the students in action, and a refresher course given in switchboard operation to insure familiarization with a new-type switchboard just installed by the regiment.

At the same time, the 1st Bn of the 22d Inf Regt began field training anew, this time stressing the use of tanks in the attack, coupled with company-level problems and platoon in attack and defense situations, culminating in an assault with live ammunition.

In mid-March, 1,800 troops of the 12th Inf Regt took to the skies in a climax to air transportability training at Rhine-Main Air Base. Two of the aircraft brushed wing-tips on the take-off but no damage was done to either.

The 22d Regt's 2d BN climaxed a 14-day field training exercise as March ended with a night attack problem lasting 12 hours. The training included firing of individual weapons at known distances. Individual weapons firing was augmented by qualification tests for 3.5-inch rocket launcher and the .30 cal and .50 cal machine guns. A physical training test finished the two-week activities.

One of the most highly praised training fixtures in the division at the time was the 12th Inf Regt's bayonet course, monitored by Gapt Emmet B. Lyle. The course is all uphill, 3,000 yards long, and incudes demolition charges for realism and barbed wire for increased difficulty. Sgt Argustus Kennedy summed ' up the EM's feelings when he said, "You can go through first half of the course using your physical strength, but it's guts and determination that gets you the rest of the way." The course was designed by Capt Karl Losey, regt'l training officer, and built by M Sgt Ismael Escobedo and his Mine and Anti-Tank Pltn.

Late in April, the biggest chapter in the 1952-1953 training story began to unfold as the entire division converged in sections and separate units on one of the U.S. Army's largest field training areas in Germany. From that time until mid-June, garrison life was reluctantly forgotten under the rigors of life in realistic field training.

Realism in the 8th Inf Regt's 3d Bn area exploded with a mortar shell in the Co K area, left over from World War II. For the first ten days of training, the 12th Inf Regt's S3 section had every platoon in the 1st Bn training specifically in day and night patrolling. "Aggressors" were used in the combat-type situations, which lasted anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Meanwhile, the 20th, 29th, 42d and 44th FA Bns and the 46th AAA Bn were taking classes and field instruction in Shell Reporting, and Crater Analysis, under direction of Maj Paul Gawkowski of 4th Div Arty Hq. In the 22d Inf Regt, problems ranged in size from squad and platoon to company and battalion.

Early in May, flame warfare techniques, including use of flame thrower and napalm, were taught to the division in field positions by a Div Hq Chem Section team headed by Maj Samuel T. Bonds, Div Chem Officer. Target training in the 4.2 mm mortar was tried and perfected by the 22d Regt. Hv Mtr Co, with 12 mortars able to deliver two rounds apiece, or 24 rounds, on the target simultaneously. Meanwhile, Tk Co of the 8th Regt was conducting (illegible) for both new and veteran drivers.

As May hurried on, Double-Time-On-Target tests were conducted by the 22d and the results added much to the effectiveness of the unit.

In the 12th Regt, a close combat course and transition range firing were witnessed by Lt Gen William Hoge, Seventh Army CG, touring 4th Inf Div installations accompanied by Maj (then Brig) Gen Joseph H. Harper. The generals saw company and battery size units of all three Ivy regiments, the 40th Tk Bn and 4th Div Arty go through their paces in the division-wide training exercises.

All Infantry units in the division also went through hand grenade training, bayonet drill, rifle grenade exercises, bazooka firing, camouflage training and endless foxhole and gun emplacement digging.

Tactical air command programs also hit all units of the division, with low-flying Piper Cubs simulating aircraft attacks and support for ground units.

As the training drew to a close, the picture came into focus for the troops. Larger units participated in larger-scale war games, such as battalions holed up in the ruins of an abandoned German town, awaiting an attack by "Aggressors" in force. Many lessons were learned as the men began to see where they fitted into their units in actual combat-style action.

A display of explosive demolition was given by the 4th Engr Bn, which unexpectedly touched off a small forest fire in the area. The demonstrators showed their own safety precautions as they quickly brought the blaze under control with a bucket brigade using helmets full of sand.

Training Period Ends
June's first two weeks brought the training to a close with major large scale problems, mostly on battalion level. Live ammo was the usual thing as the battalions smashed through full-strength problems in both attack and defense.

Climaxing the more than seven weeks of uninterrupted field training, Battalion and Regimental Hqs went into the field and participated with the rest of the division's foot soldiers in twelve and one-half mile forced marches. The marches usually started at 8 am and lasted four hours. Medical, Service and similar companies were in no way exempted from the training.

The 20th FA Bn turned up at the end of the program with top honors in battalion testing among the Division's FA Bns, after having fired every type of mission, including high angle, and with fire observed and adjusted from aircraft.

When the division returned to garrison later in June, training went on, but not at the 24-hour-a-day pace of the field.

During the year the separate companies -- 4th Recon, 4th QM, 4th MP, Div Hq and the Band -- and the 704th Ord Bn aided the entire division to a successful year in training as well as training themselves as they effectively accomplished their supporting roles.
 
Fourth Division in Germany, 1951 - 1956
 
Some of the images and information from the "Command Report to the Troops, 4th Infantry Division, 1951" and "4th Infantry Division, European Command, 1951-52" will be posted as soon as possible

click on thumbnail to view larger image of the unit crests


Some of the images and information from the Famous Fourth in Germany, 1951- 1956 will be posted as soon as possible
     
 
 
Hq Battery, Fourth Division Artillery (1952)
 

Hq Btry, 4th Inf DivArty
private collection, Walter Elkins
  

1. Building on Hutier Kaserne, 1952 (86 KB)
2. Jeep parked in front of entrance to barracks building (113 KB)

3. View of section of Hutier (113 KB)

4. 2½-ton wire trucks of Signal Section, HHB (115 KB)
5. Guarding the HHB's motor pool (121 KB)
6. Equipment display in German town (74 KB)
  

7. HHB soldier surrounded by German children during equipment display (88 KB)
8. Hutier Service Club (107 KB)
9. HHB jeep with driver (104 KB)
  

10. DivArty switchboard (87 KB)
11. Accident near Hutier (103 KB)
    
       
 
46th AAA Battalion
 
19.. - 19..
46th AAA Battalion DUI
 
(Source: Email from Armand E. Dion)
 
Headquarters Battery, 1953-54

I served in Hanau, Germany, starting January 1953 to July 1954. I was in HQ Battery of the 46th AAA Batallion.

I have a large color picture (restored) of our Battery with their names printed on the back (see listing below). We were stationed at the Fliegerhorst Kaserne just inside the main gate. I am trying to contact some of my friends from those days. I am in contact with two of them but would like to find many more.

Bought a Rolleiflex and Zeiss Contessa camera at the post PX and took many pictures. Still have some of them.
 
46th AAA Battalion
Fliegerhorst Kaserne, Hanau, Germany (1953)
List of Personnel in Photo -- from left to right
Top Row -- Pvt. Vaughn, Cpl. Kubic, Pfc. O'Bannion, Pvt. Godius, Cpl. Sellars, Pfc. Hart, Pvt. Barrouchio, Pvt. Guerchio

Middle Row -- Pvt. Coleman, Pvt. Scales, Cpl. Dennis, Cpl. Duff, Sgt. Bray, Pvt. Skaggs, Cpl. Wingfield, Pfc. Dion, Sgt. Staves, Pvt. Richards, Sfc. Wallace, Cpl. Rash, Pfc. Preston, Cpl. Atkinson, Cpl. Tracy, Sgt. Smith, Cpl. Beckette, Pfc. Gagnon, Cpl. Adcock, Pfc. Odom, Cpl. Browning, Pfc. Erikson, Pfc. Adam, Cpl. Brucker, Pfc. Thompson, Pfc. Peterson, Cpl. Hilarides, Cpl. Rochefort, Pfc. Kattine

Bottom Row -- Cpl. Lamonna, Cpl. Schramm, Pfc. Mauro, Sgt. Riggs, Sfc.. Hanna, M/Sgt. Dela Concipio, M/Sgt. Wright, WOJO Votto, 1st Lt. Minto (BC), M/Sgt. Slaughter, M/Sgt. Martin, Sfc. Tellez, Sgt. Keith, Sgt. Bauer, Sgt. Simms, Pfc. McCoy, Pvt. Domen, Cpl. St. Pierre, Pfc. Hennessey, Pfc. Pizanno, Pfc. McKewen
 
8th Infantry Regiment
 
1955 - 1956
(Source: Email from Charles Valleau, Co A, 8th Inf Regt, Schloss Kaserne, Butzbach, 1955-56)
Arrived in Butzbach in May 1955 after spending a couple days at the processing center in Zweibrucken and was assigned to CO. A of the 8th Inf Rgmt, 4th Inf Division.

The 1st and 3rd Battalions were billeted in the Schloss Kaserne [Home of German Army Units during WW1 and WW11] After the war it was used as a camp for displaced persons until the arrival of the 4th Division in 1951/52. Regimental headquarters was located in Friedberg with Division headquartered in Frankfurt. The 2nd Battalion was stationed in Buedingen.

The 12th Inf Rgmt were stationed in Hanau [3rd Battalion] and Gelnhausen [Hdqtrs, 1st and 3rd Battalions]. I believe the entire 22nd Inf Rgmt was stationed in Kirch Goens.

Anyway, when I arrived in Butzbach, the kaserne was deserted, little did I realize what was to come. Two days later I along with the other new arrivals were packed in deuce and a 1/2's traveling 1st class to the picturesque town of Grafenwoehr for day and night maneuvers.

In Fed 1956 I was selected to attend the 4th Divisions NCO Academy in Wildflecken. The first elements of officers for the new German Army were in training at the same time. I remember it was extremely cold and the pot bellied stoves in our rooms were inadequate to say the least.

Butzbach was a small town [maybe 4,000 people] with the people by and large kindly to the American Soldiers. In mid 1956, the Army instituted an exchange program called "Gyro" - entire divisions were sent to CONUS and replaced by stateside units. Short timer draftees were not included and we were dispatched to other units in Germany. My last remaining months saw me relocated to Neu-Ulm and Ulm [47th Inf Rgmt, 9 Inf Division] and Fuerth/Nuernberg [39th Inf Rgmt, 9 Inf Div], finally gyroing home with the 39th arriving at Fort Hamilton in early Oct 56 and separated from the US Army at Fort Dix on Oct 11, 1956
 
Brigade '76 / 4th Brigade, 4th Inf Div
1976 - ..
(Source: Email from Lynn Williams, 2/20FA, 76-79)
My old unit was 2/20FA, 4th Bde, 4th INF Div. I was assigned to the 8ID from 76-79.

The entire brigade (Bde 76) was encapsulated on the Wiesbaden Airfield. On the runway there was a hard stand for our armor and ammunitions, and there were barracks and billeting there also. We shared this small airfield and kaserne with the US Air Force because it primarily belonged to them. However we had access to the autobahn and to railroad access on post, so that in an emergency we could depart by road or load immediately to troop and flatcar train and depart. Or we could clear the runway and depart by MAC.

The only other places that were available to us, were the nearby Hainerberg Shopping Center, Wiesbaden Hospital, Amelia Earhart Hotel, and Lindsay Air Station PX. A kaserne @ Mainz-Kastel or up the highway to the large Army Facility in Frankfurt.

We actually spent more time training in the field, 24/7, than we did on post. Very little garrison time. It seemed that we were always going on alert. One thing I do remember , which I am sure is no longer classified is that we did carry Nuclear Tac. Also with our Nac clearances they would never let us visit Berlin. In other words don't ask to go because we will just turn you down, however you can visit any other place you would like in Western Europe.

I don't know but I imagine that area would be like a ghost town on that airbase now and possibly abandoned. That's been more than 25 years ago, and the Cold War is over.

Also, if I remember correctly, we had in addition to our artillery battalion, 2 armor & 2 infantry battalions at the same location (something like the 68th or 69th Armor and 2/16 Infantry or 2/22 Infantry). The 8th Aviation Battalion and 8th ID Headquarters were at Bad Kreuznach. A huge Supply Depot was located inside a mountain @ Idar Oberstein.

I attended the 8th ID NCO Academy @ Baumholder, which was really more of an infantry NCO Academy, those instructors liked to have killed us artillery guys. It made basic training feel like a cake walk. It was the roughest training in those mountains down there I have ever experienced in my life.
Lynn Williams
(Source: Email from Ray "KC" Donez, F Co, 4th Engr Bn, 1977-79 )
I was stationed at what was then called Wiesbaden Air Base in 1977-79. "F" Company, 4th Engr. Bn (had just the one co.) deployed during Brigade 76 and participated in REFORGER 76 excercises etc. I was deployed in 1977 as a replacement.

The 4th was based in Carson, CO. It deployed, as I mentioned, as a participant in a REFORGER X in 1976. I cannot recall the CO's name who was commanding at the time of my arrival (May 77'), but if I think long enough... Eventually, command was assumed by Capt. James V. Mudd.

Our Company ( F) was an oddity, I believe, as it was only us stationed at (then called) Wiesbaden Air Base. (There were No additional Combat Engineer Companies, i.e., A, B, C, etc. There were POST Engineers, but obviously they had a different initial task, etc. 

We had three platoons, if I recall. Maybe 6-7 APC's, a CEV, 1 or 2 deuce and a halfs, a Gamma Goat, and I recall a 5-ton and a dozer being available, but cannot recall if they were stored in our company's Motor Pool area. I don't believe they were, at least not on a regular basis due to space available. That's about it for equipment.

We did the usual while there . . . various training, which I won't go into here, except to say that it was pretty routine. The two exceptions were a 4-5 day FTX on the Rhine in assault boats (we actually got some freighters to tow us...BIG ships...little assault boats...can you say WET!?...but that's another story...)

We also did an Air (Huey's) deployment into the mountains, with the goal of Land-Nav back to a pick up point, which if I recall lasted maybe 2- 3 days if that, including the jump off. Some of the guys built a playground in a village...can't recall where, but I recall the "thank you " party....sort of... LOL.

So... I have had very limited success with finding any record of F/4/E on the web... I think the unit proper was deactivated in the 1980's, your best bet is (former) Captain Mudd, as well as Military. Com. which lists several past members of 4th Engr's, some of which "show" as having been at Wiesbaden in the early to mid 1980's.
 
Related Links:
4th Infantry Division - web site of the National 4th Infantry (IVY) Division Association
22nd Infantry Regiment Society - A great site dedicated to former members of this 4th Inf Div outfit
1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry "Regulars, By God" - a very nice web site created and maintained by Michael Belis that is dedicated to members of 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, past, present and future. Of special note: check out the excellent Insignia and Memorabilia Page.