|
The 12th Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army in World War II. It fought in the European Theater of Operations in France, Germany and Austria, between November 1944 and May 1945. The German Army called the 12th Armored Division the "Suicide Division" for its fierce defensive actions during Operation Nordwind in France, and General George S. Patton, Jr., nicknamed them "The Mystery Division"〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Mystery Division at Rhine: Patton’s Forces Chasing Germans on Road Back )〕 when they were temporarily transferred to his command under the Third Army to cross the Rhine River. The 12th Armored Division was one of only ten U.S. Divisions (and only one of two U.S. armored Divisions) during World War II that had African-American combat companies integrated into the Division. One of the African American soldiers, Staff Sergeant Edward A. Carter, Jr. was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=African American Platoons in World War II )〕〔John C. Ferguson, Hellcats: The 12th Armored Division in World War II (Military History of Texas Series). State House Press (31 August 2004)〕 ==History== The 12th Armored Division was activated on 15 September 1942. Organization and initial training was at Camp Campbell, Kentucky, and continued at Camp Barkeley in Abilene, Texas. The division consisted of approximately 11,000 soldiers, and was composed of tank, field artillery, motorized infantry battalions and other support units.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=Hellcat News--12th Armored Division Newsletter )〕 In early 1943 the Division adopted the nickname "The Hellcats", symbolizing its toughness and readiness for combat. While at Camp Barkeley, the 44th Tank Battalion was sent to the Pacific Theater of Operations on a special mission and later distinguished itself as the first unit to enter Manila. The 44th was replaced by the 714th Tank Battalion.〔(【引用サイトリンク】title=12th Armored Division, "The Hellcats" )〕 Walt Disney himself designed a logo for the 714th Tank Battalion, and the Disney organization also design a logo with Mickey Mouse dressed in armor riding a unicycle for the 56th Armored Infantry Regiment of the 12th Armored Division. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「12th Armored Division (United States)」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|