4th Infantry Division - Unit History

[Mrasek 4th ID]

World War I

- The 4th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Greene, North Carolina on December 10, 1917 under the command of Maj. Gen. George H. Cameron. It was here they adopted their distinctive insignia, the four ivy leaves. The ivy leaf came from the Roman numerals for four (IV) and signified their motto "Steadfast and Loyal". The division was organized as part of the United States buildup following the Declaration of War on April 6, 1917 and the entry of the United States into the war on the side of the British and French.

St. Mihiel Offensive

For the St. Mihiel Campaign, the division moved into an area south of Verdun as part of the 1st American Army. Gen. Pershing, Commander of the American Expeditionary Force (AEF), had gotten the French and British to agree that the AEF would fight under its own organizational elements. One of the first missions assigned to the AEF was the reduction of the St. Mihiel salient. The 4th Division, assigned to V Corps, was on the western face of the salient. The plan was for V Corps to push generally southeast and to meet IV Corps who was pushing northwest, thereby trapping the Germans in the St. Mihiel area.

The 59th Infantry Regiment moved into an area previously occupied by the French, deploying along a 9 kilometer front. On September 12, the first patrols were sent forward by the 59th. The 4th Division attack began on September 14 with the 8th Brigade capturing the town of Manheulles. All along the front, the American forces pressed forward and closed the St. Mihiel salient.

The Meuse-Argonne Campaign

On September 26, the last great battle of WWI, the Meuse-Argonne Campaign, began. Moving under the cover of darkness for secrecy, the Americans had moved into their sector of the front following the completion of their mission in the St. Mihiel area. Three U.S. Army corps were assigned sectors along the U.S. part of the front. III Corps held the extreme right (eastern) part of the front with V Corps to their left. The 4th Division was assigned to III Corps. The III Corps sector had the 33rd Division on the right, the 80th Division had the center, and the 4th was assigned the left, with the 79th Division of V Corps on their left.

The 7th Brigade was moved to the line in the trenches around Hill 304. The division plan called for one brigade to fight until exhausted and then send the other brigade forward to press the attack. The attack of September 26 was made through a narrow valley. The 7th Brigade moved through the valley and, while taking large numbers of German prisoners, reached the second line of defenses by 09:00 near the town of Cuisy. The Germans provided a formidable opposition, but the 39th Infantry overcame them and moved through Septsarges. During this first day, the 7th Brigade had captured 1700 prisoners, and more than 40 guns. Division Headquarters was moved forward to Cuisy.

On September 27 the attack resumed with an artillery barrage. The 39th Infantry followed the barrage until they encountered withering machine gun fire from the Bois des Ogons where they were held up. The 8th Brigade was brought forward on September 29 to take the place of the 39th on the line. The 8th Brigade moved through the Bois de Brieulles but met increasing machine gun fire from the Bois des Ogons. Very little progress was made over the next four days as the terrible condition of the roads at the rear hampered re-supply and reinforcement efforts. By October 3, Phase I of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive was over.

The Meuse-Argonne Offensive--Phase II

Through the strenuous efforts of the supply and ammunition trains, enough materiel had been acquired to resume the attack by October 3. The division plan was to fight its way through the many forests surrounding the city of Brieulles and capture the city. On the morning of October 4, the 8th Brigade moved out of the foxholes and moved across open ground under the cover of heavy fog. As the fog lifted the Germans opened fired from the front, the left and the right. The 58th fought forward wearing gas masks since many of the projectiles contained gas, finally managing to gain a foothold in the Bois de Fays. The line was able to advance no further for the next 4 days enduring constant shelling and German night patrols attempting to infiltrate their lines. Forward movement was again ordered on October 9 with the 7th Brigade attacking. The 8th Brigade was withdrawn for rest. The 39th Infantry was designated as the assaulting unit. The order to attack came just at sundown. With difficulty, the men stumbled forward in darkness wearing gas masks and under fire. Little progress could be made. The 39th withdrew to resume the attack at 07:00 on October 10. 2/39th led the way and incurred heavy losses. Many of the officers in the 39th were killed or wounded, including all of the majors.

Another attack was ordered and by 17:30 2/39th had fought through the Bois de Peut de Faux. The men dug in for the night. Early on the morning of the 11th, the entire regimental staff of the 39th was gassed and LTC Troy Middleton, 47th Infantry was ordered to take command of the 39th. Attacking on the morning of October 11, the 7th Brigade pushed through the Bois de Foret. The orders for October 12 were to clean out the last pockets of German resistance in the Bois De Foret. Patrols were sent out to the north side of Hill 299. On October 13, 4th Division units were relieved by the 4th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Division.

On October 10 MG John L. Hines was selected to command III Corps. MG George H. Cameron was returned to the 4th Division as its commander. The 4th was withdrawn from the front on October 19. During their 24 days of combat they had paid a heavy price with 244 officers and 7,168 men killed or wounded. They had fought their way over 13 kilometers and captured 2,731 enemy prisoners. The division relocated to Lucey as part of Second Army. MG Cameron received a new assignment to return to the U.S. to train new divisions on October 22. Command passed temporarily to BG Benjamin, Commander, 7th Brigade before MG Mark L. Hersey arrived to assume command on October 31.

The Armistice ending the war was signed on November 11, 1918. The last casualties in the division were suffered by 13th Field Artillery at 14:00 November 11, 1918.

    * World War I Casualties

   1. 2,611 Killed in Action
   2. 9,895 Wounded in Action

Occupation duty

Under the terms of the Armistice, Germany was to evacuate all territory west of the Rhine. American troops were to relocate to the center section of this previously German occupied area all the way to the Coblenz bridgehead on the Rhine. The 4th marched into Germany, covering 330 miles in 15 days where it was widely dispersed over an area with Bad Bertrich as Division headquarters. The division established training for the men as well as sports and educational activities. In April 1919 the division moved to a new occupation area further north on the Rhine.

In July the division returned to France and the last detachment sailed for the United States on July 31, 1919. On September 21, 1921, the 4th Division was inactivated at Camp Lewis, Washington as part of the Army Reorganization Act of 1920.

World War II

4th Infantry Division was reactivated on June 1, 1940 at Fort Benning, Georgia, under the command of MG Walter E. Prosser. 4th ID was reorganized to the Motorized Infantry Division TO&E on August 1, 1940. 4 ID was assigned ? along with 2d Armored Division, to the I Armored Corps.

4 ID moved to Dry Prong, Louisiana The Fourth Division arrived in the UK in early 1944. It took part in the Normandy Invasion landings at Utah Beach, with the 8th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division being the first surface-borne Allied unit to hit the beaches at Normandy on D-day, June 6, 1944. Relieving the isolated 82d Airborne Division at Sainte-M?re-?glise, the 4th cleared the Cotentin peninsula and took part in the capture of Cherbourg on June 25. After taking part in the fighting near Periers, July 6-12, the division broke through the left flank of the German Seventh Army, helped stem the German drive toward Avranches, and by the end of August had moved to Paris, assisting the French in the liberation of their capital. The 4th then moved into Belgium through Houffalize to attack the Siegfried Line at Schnee Eifel on September 14, and made several penetrations. Slow progress into Germany continued in October, and by November 6 the division entered the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, where it was engaged in heavy fighting until early December. It then shifted to Luxembourg, only to meet the German winter Ardennes Offensive head-on (in the Battle of the Bulge) starting on December 16, 1944. Although its lines were dented, it managed to hold the Germans at Dickweiler and Osweiler, and, counterattacking in January across the Sauer, overran German positions in Fouhren and Vianden. Halted at the Pr?m River in February by heavy enemy resistance, the division finally crossed on February 28 near Olzheim, and raced on across the Kyll on March 7. After a short rest, the 4th moved across the Rhine on March 29 at Worms, attacked and secured W?rzburg and by April 3 had established a bridgehead across the Main at Ochsenfurt. Speeding southeast across Bavaria, the division had reached Miesbach on the Isar on May 2, 1945, when it was relieved and placed on occupation duty.

    * World War II Casualties

   1. 4,097 Killed in Action
   2. 17,371 Wounded in Action
   3. 757 Died of Wounds

[Aksamit 4th ID]

As taken from: http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/4thinfantry/

The 4th Infantry Division is built around three of the oldest and most distinguished infantry regiments of the United States Army. It is heir to the history of the 4th Division in World War I. Based on these traditions, we have been building a tradition of our own, one of accomplishment of assigned missions in spite of enemy, weather, fatigue or shortages of personnel or supplies. This booklet is an unfinished story. When the story is finished, may we be able to say, "We never failed."

H.W. Blakeley
Major General Commanding



THE STORY OF THE 4TH INFANTRY DIVISION

It will be easy to take Dickweiler," the German battalion commander told his men. "It is held by only two platoons."

He was right about the two platoons. The Fourth Infantry Division was widely dispersed along a 35-mile front in Luxembourg -- a depleted company every two miles or more. But the Germans didn't take Dickweiler. They were slashed to ribbons trying.

This procedure was duplicated everywhere the German 212th Div. smacked the 12th Inf. Regt. Enemy forces swarmed around small units, outnumbering them as much as five to one. But 12th doughs fought on doggedly holding each isolated town until reinforcements came.

At Echternach and other places when reinforcements didn't get through, the 12th held anyway. Without these towns, the Germans couldn't use the roads. Without these roads, the Nazi drive for Luxembourg City was doomed to failure.

Lt. Gen. George S. Patton, Jr., wrote to Maj. Gen. Raymond O. Barton, then Division Commander:

No American division in France has excelled the magnificent record of the 4th Inf. Div., which has been almost continuously in action since it fought its way ashore on the 6th day of last June; but in my opinion your most recent fight, when such a depleted and tired division you halted the left shoulder of the German thrust into the American lines and saved the City of Luxembourg, is your most outstanding accomplishment.

The defense of Luxembourg was a triumph for the fighting men of the Famous Fourth who stood their ground regardless of the odds. They took literally Gen. Barton's statement "The best way to handle these Heinies is to fight 'em!"

Fighting 'em ever since the invasion of Europe, the Famous Fourth was the first unit to cross Normandy beaches. Battling without rest all the way to Cherbourg, the division then wheeled to punch hedgerow defenses south of Carentan. After spearheading the Normandy breakthrough, these same Joes helped thwart the German counter-thrust which tried to split Allied armies. First American unit to enter Paris, the 4th rolled through the capital, roaring across France and Belgium in pursuit of fleeing Nazis.

After blasting a gaping, hole in the Schnee Eifel, the division cracked through Hurtgen Forest. It stopped the German attack in central Luxembourg, then helped drive back the enemy, Again reaching the Siegfried Line in the Schnee Eifel, the 4th pushed deep into Germany. In March, 1945, it moved south to a new zone of action.
Divisional fighting spirit is backed by a great tradition. Its three infantry regiments have been fighting outfits for generations. One of the oldest regiments in the U.S. Army, the 12th Inf., was organized in 1798, taking part in the defense of Ft. McHenry in 1812. In later years, it marched with Scott on Mexico City, fought at Bull Run, Antietam, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, Cold Harbor, served in Indian campaign, the war with Spain, the Philippine Insurrection, the Siberian expedition of 1919.

Activated in 1838, the 8th Inf., like the 12th, also has fought in great battles of American history, has earned a modern distinction. When it marched from Ft. Ehrenbreitstein in 1923, Maj. Raymond O. Barton's battalion, 8th Inf., lowered the last American flag on German soil. June 6, 1944, the 8th, led by Maj. Gen. Raymond O. Barton, Division Commander, became the first Allied unit to battle Germans on Normandy beaches. For its brilliant success in that operation, the 8th received the President Citation.

Organized in 1866, the 22nd Inf. served in the Indian Campaigns, Cuba, Philippines and Alaska.


DOUBLE DEUCERS CRACK A WALL

As lord of Europe, Hitler had boasted that American soldiers would not last nine hours if they landed in France, but --

June 6, 1944, 0630: Four companies of 8th Inf. doughs felt landing craft jar to a stop on the Normandy coast, heard ramps down with a splash, saw German pillboxes in the dunes. Then, charging through the water a long, howling line, they stormed beach defenses.

Commanded by Col. James A. Van Fleet, the 8th, with 3rd Bn., 22nd Inf., took five forts, cleared a two-mile stretch at the southeast corner of the Cherbourg peninsula within two hours. While the remainder of the division poured ashore, the 8th, 70th Tank Bn. and 4th Engineers crashed into enemy rear positions across the flooded ground behind the beach.

Col. H.A. Tribolet's 22nd Inf. swung north along the fortified coast, blasting away at forts and pillboxes of the "impregnable" Atlantic Wall. Division Artillery followed as 12th Inf., led by Col. Russell P. "Red' Reeder, pushed northwest to fill the widening gap between the 8th and 22nd.

Gen. Barton and his three brigadier generals, Theodore Roosevelt, Jr., H.W. Blakeley and H.A. Barber, went ashore before 1100. Gen. Roosevelt, landing with the initial wave, won the division's first Medal of Honor.

Frantic Nazis saw the assault gain momentum. Hitler had ordered von Rundstedt and Rommel to annihilate Allied beachhead forces by nightfall. Despite heavy shelling, the division poured ashore to defy the Fuehrer's order. Not in the least "annihilated," most of the division was on French soil and had established a front four to seven miles inland as dusk fell.

Next day, the 8th broke through to the vital road center, Ste. Mere Eglise to relieve a portion of the 82nd Airborne, isolated for 36 hours by numerically superior forces. While the 12th ripped straight ahead toward Montebourg, the 22nd threw its full weight against coastal fortifications that stretched for miles.

On the third day, the 12th forged ahead boldly With both flanks exposed. Germans, fighting desperately to gain time, called on their reserve power, including two bicycle storm battalions. When the 12th hit the enemy main line of resistance near Emondeville an all-day battle, packed with repeated attacks and counter-attacks, raged. Twice, the regiment's CP was attacked, but the Nazis eventually were routed.

Having concluded the relief of the 82nd Airborne at Ste. Mere Eglise, the 8th made a long advance to come abreast of the 12th, extending the division's line from Emondeville west to the Merderet River. The 22nd still was locked in a deadly grapple with German fortifications.

Battling all the next day, the 8th smashed the Nazi MLR near Ecausseville. Acts of gallantry and heroism were many in the vicious fighting. Co. I charged across yards of fire-swept ground; half of Co. E was cut down by ambush fire. In a final attack, 1st Bn. and Co. A, 70th Tank Bn., lifted the German line off its pivot.

While the 8th slugged through the Ecausseville line, the 12th, again ignoring its open flanks, smacked the same force it had defeated the previous day, driving the remnants to Montebourg. Meanwhile, the 22nd had buttoned up Azeville, toughest fort in the beachhead area, and shoved ahead to Chateau de Fontenay, home of Voltaire but now a Nazi strongpoint.

B Y D plus four, the 22nd was pushing on to Le Theil as the 8th and 12th, hammering through desperate German defensive efforts, gained their objectives -- lines southwest and northeast of Montebourg. Here, Gen. Barton ordered them to dig in and defend their gains. A vital beachhead line secured, VII Corps now had sufficient elbow room to swing the next haymaker at the reeling Germans.

While Corps coiled to deliver the next punch, the Famous Fourth still had unfinished business. A string of forts along the coast from Crisbecq to Quineville still resisted. The rugged job of reducing them was accomplished by the Double Deucers and the 359th Inf., 9th Div., which pounded away for five days. When Quineville, last of the strongpoints, fell June 14, one of the most difficult assignments of the war was complete. The Cherbourg beachhead was firmly established in American hands.

Cherbourg, only good port within reach of the beachhead, was a critical point. Its quick seizure was vital. As soon as troops could be landed, VII Corps cut Cherbourg off from the mainland by driving four divisions across the west coast. The drive was covered by the 4th, which held the Montebourg line. Wheeling northward, Corps, with the 4th, 9th and 79th Inf. Divs. blazing the way, seized the port.

Before daylight June 19, the 4th struck enemy forces near Montebourg. Following a barrage so close they nearly burned their faces, Joes of Co. F, 8th Inf., ripped through enemy lines to cut off the German escape route while the remainder of the regiment and the 12th herded Krauts to the "shooting gallery" Co. F had set up. Following this success, the division chased Germans 10 miles to the ring of defenses circling Cherbourg.

Meanwhile, the 22nd lunged forward from Le Theil in a long advance to take a hill between Cherbourg and its airport. The airfield, east of the city, was surrounded by the strongest fortifications on the peninsula. The 22nd proceeded to split the enemy force in half, then held out three days when it became surrounded. During this time, the 8th and 12th, in brilliant maneuvers and violent battles polished off enemy positions southeast of the city.

After taking Tourlaviile, Cherbourg suburb, the 12th advanced to the coast June 25. Entering Cherbourg, next day, doughs mopped up the eastern section of the city while the 9th and 79th Divs. drove in from the west and south. Exactly one week after starting the drive from Montebourg, the Famous Fourth occupied the entire city except forts along the waterfront and in the harbor.

Then the 22nd drove in on defenses surrounding the airport where 1000 Nazis fanatically fought two days before succumbing. After a long pounding by artillery, the last harbor fort surrendered, June 29. Except for the northwest corner, the Cherbourg peninsula, pivot of the invasion, was swept clean of the enemy. Preparations for the Battle of France could go into high gear. Armored divisions and heavy artillery began arriving. Air bases were moved from England to the continent. An army capable of splitting the Wehrmacht wide open was landing in France.

Fourth Division men had fought 23 days without rest, driving ahead relentlessly until victory was won. Maj. Gen. J. Lawron Collins, VII Corps Commander, in commending the division following the campaign, said:

It is a tribute to the devotion of the men of the division that severe losses in no way deterred their aggressive action. The division has been faithful to its honored dead. The 4th Infantry Division can rightly be proud of the great part that it played from the initial landing on Utah Beach to the very end of the Cherbourg campaign. I wish to express my tremendous admiration.


BREAKTHROUGH BUBBLE BURSTS

The breakthrough was to be made on a sector south of Carentan. This meant clearing rugged terrain, full of marshes and swampy rivers -- ground ideal for defense. Germans had dug in for a permanent stay with entrenchments in every hedgerow. To reach firm ground where armored armies could operate, it was necessary to fight through that swamp country. The job was assigned to VII Corps. The 4th was in the star role.

With only three days rest for infantrymen and none for Div Arty, the Famous Fourth -- new commanders replacing those killed or wounded -- launched its new campaign. The 8th now was commanded by Col. J.S. Rodwell, former Division Chief of Staff; the 12th by Col. J.S. Luckett; the 22nd by Col. R.T. Foster. Opposing forces were the 12th SS Panzer Div. and 6th Parachute Regt., both top-notch outfits.

For 10 days, the 4th experienced hedgerow fighting at its worst. A hundred yard gain on a 300-yard front often meant a full day's work for a battalion. Enemy lurked behind every hedgerow. German gunners were dug in every few yards. Forward movement brought certain fire. Yet 4th Joes went into this new, grim battle with the same unbeatable determination they had in storming the Atlantic Wall and capturing Cherbourg.

In a narrow bottleneck, 12th Inf. opened the attack. Second Bn. made nine separate assaults in two days, some producing space no larger than a backyard garden. When the 12th eventually ripped out the whole line, the 8th and 22nd swung into action.

On the next MLR, the 8th struggled three days before finally surrounding and annihilating an opposing regiment. On the other flank, the 22nd, now under Col. C.T. Lanham, slugged ahead against large numbers of Panther tanks proving men can beat tanks -- if they are the right men. The 22nd knocked out 20 Panthers in four days.

Germans fell back to a new defensive line along a sunken road between two swamps. When the 4th took the position after battling four days, the division was relieved and moved to the St. Lo front for its next mission.

By mid-July, a tremendous striking force had assembled in the Allied beachhead, crowding into every field for miles around. Patton's powerful Third Army was stacked division behind division on the Cherbourg peninsula. But before this Allied might could begin crushing the Wehrmacht, the narrow limits of the beachhead had to be broken.

The plan had three essential parts: first, VII Corps would punch a hole in German lines west of St. Lo. Through this, reserves would slice westward to the coast, getting behind and destroying enemy lines and open the way for Third Army to roll. Finally, Corps would drive straight south through Villedieu and St. Pois to block out Germans while Third Army swept into open country. The Famous Fourth was to play a vital part in the first and third phases of the plan.

The roar of heavies dropping their bombs on enemy positions signalled the beginning of the drive, July 25. The 8th moved forward at 1100. Germans, stunned by the severe pounding from the air, were disorganized and broken up into isolated groups. Plunging steadily ahead, Col. Rodwell's regiment surrounded centers of resistance for later annihilation. By nightfall, a mile and a half-deep wedge had been driven into Nazi defenses with the 8th at the point and the 9th and 30th Inf. Divs. on the flanks.

Next day, as the 8th smashed ahead, the 22nd went into action with Combat Command Rose of the 2nd Armd. Div. -- a team which was to give an outstanding performance of infantry-tank coordination during the week. By noon, the Combat Command had knifed through initial defenses and several hours later was rolling southward on open roads, through St. Gilles and Canisy, reaching Mesnil Herman at dawn. Arrival of an American force at that tiny hamlet, July 27, spelled disaster for the Wehrmacht.

The 8th reached its objective, between Mesnil Herman and Marigny, the same morning. The division had achieved its breakthrough; the second phase began immediately. When the 12th whipped down to cover the westward turn of 3rd Armd. and 1st Inf. Divs., which drove for Coutances and the coast, Gen. Patton's Army was set to roll south.

The third phase centered around the bottleneck between Villedieu and Avranches through which Third Army had to pass. To guard this vital ground, VII Corps was ordered to seize a north-south line through Villedieu, St. Pois and Mortain. Double Deucers, along with CC Rose, carried out the mission July 28.

Running into strong German forces trying desperately to build a new defense line from Tessy-sur-Vire through Percy and Villedieu to Avranches, CC Rose maneuvered and fought furious battles for five days before finally buttoning up Tessy and the area near Percy.

The remainder of the 4th was on the opposite side of Percy, keeping one jump ahead of the enemy, On Aug. 1, the 12th captured Villedieu, which von Kluge repeatedly called the key to the entire operation.

Now on the final lap, the Famous Fourth kept shoving ahead, shouldering Germans eastward into a trap forming between Third Army and the British. By Aug. 5, St. Pois and the north bank of the See River had fallen. Terrific artillery and mortar barrages mowed down routed defenders.

For this campaign, Gen. Collins again commended 4th Div., praising its "ability to take every objective assigned to it." Wrote the general:

I cannot let the division pass from my command without expressing my appreciation of the great contribution made by the 4th Infantry Division to the success of the VII Corps... The division has lived up to the high standard it set for itself in the initial campaign.

[Aksamit 4th ID]

Continued from: http://www.lonesentry.com/gi_stories_booklets/4thinfantry/

CLINCHING THE VICTORY AT PARIS

Weary doughs, who had rested only three days since landing two months before, now anticipated relief. But on Aug. 6, von Kluge made his desperate bid to split Allied armies by driving along the See River to Avranches. The 8th and 22nd fought fierce battles as German units penetrated their lines. Main weight of the attack fell on the 30th Div. near Mortain where three crack Panzer divisions struck. The situation became so critical by Aug. 7 that the 12th was rushed in for reinforcement.

For the next week, the 12th underwent some of the roughest combat in its history. The regiment slugged forward through artillery, mortars and screaming meemies. It was bombed by the Luftwaffe, attacked by tanks. Battalions were reduced to two or three hundred men. Joes became so tired that sheer fortitude alone kept them in the fight.

But the regiment kept pushing back the enemy. When the 12th was relieved, Aug. 12, the German counter-attack was written off as a dismal failure. The rout was on. Germans back-pedalled and didn't stop until they hit the Fatherland.

After Mortain, the 4th had its first and only real rest. No Germans were seen for 10 days; enemy artillery even moved out of range. Alerted for an urgent mission, the division was transferred to V Corps Aug. 23.

In a driving rain, the 4th rolled along the road to Paris all that night and the next day. Although the FFI had been battling Germans for several days inside the city, the capital still was surrounded. Bringing support to the patriots, the 4th and the 2nd French Armd. Div. raced to clinch the victory.

The 4th bivouacked 12 miles south of the city as Germans retreated hastily across the Seine River. The 22nd set out in pursuit. That evening, 2nd French Armd. met strong opposition between Versailles and Paris. At midnight, the 12th was ordered to move into the city.

Early Aug. 25, while the 8th and 22nd crossed the Seine, the 12th advanced north on Boulevard d'Orleans, ready to take on all comers. For once, doughs found the job nearly accomplished before they arrived. On trucks, the 12th rode in triumphal procession through streets jammed from wall to wall with thousands of joyous Parisians. Third Bn. reached Notre Dame Cathedral at high noon, first Allied military unit to see the famous square for more than four years. Other battalion elements arrived as fast as they could push their way through the surging throng.

Paris was free -- the biggest news the world had heard since D-Day. Gen. Barton and Gen. Blakeley represented the division when the German commander surrendered at the Gare de Montparnasse.

Moving to the north suburbs of Paris, the division cleared the city. Germans now were frantically trying to get out of France. Next, the Famous Fourth advanced northeast as First Army's drive to the Belgian border picked up speed.

Twenty-six years earlier, a new and not yet famous 4th Div. had advanced northeast from Paris, The forward movement ended at Meaux after heavy fighting. The Ivy Division had entered its first battle along the Ourcq River where a week of bitter battling produced a gain of only five square miles.

The Famous Fourth roared along the banks of the same river, sweeping German rear guards from hundreds of square miles each day. Passing the Foret de Compiegne where the armistice was signed in 1918, the division bridged the Aisne River in one afternoon, then raced through territory which Germans had held against all attacks in World War I.

Double Deucers, riding hellbent for election, passed Soissons and Laon, swept through Crecy, Guise and Le Cateau. In two days they reached Landrecies, close to the border. On a broad front squarely across enemy escape routes, the 8th and 12th occupied the area near St. Quentin.

Two days later, V Corps rushed eastward to the Meuse River, crossing it before reeling Germans could take advantage of excellent natural defenses. In the same sector where the Nazis had routed the French in 1940, V Corps now surprised the Germans by spanning the Meuse and driving on the Fatherland.

For the next week, the 4th notched back the throttle as it pounded through Belgium, fighting German rear guards and liberating hundreds of towns. St. Hubert, La Roche, Houffalize, Bastogne, St. Vith fell before the division's surging drive. Everywhere, home-made Allied flags appeared on houses.

At 2120, Sept. 11, 4th Div. patrols crossed the German border to be followed next day by the entire 22nd Inf. First proclamation of Allied Military Government was posted at Elcherat, Germany. "Sacred" Germany, safe from invasion since Napoleon's day, now was about to get the works.


D-DAY: READY AND RARING TO GO

Hitler boasted that his vaunted West Wall was impregnable. The 4th set out to prove him a liar. Where the division assaulted the barrier, east of St. Vith, strong defenses were built on a steep, thickly wooded ridge -- the Schnee Eifel.

When the 12th and 22nd climbed this Sept. 14, the enemy still was disorganized from his headlong retreat. Both regiments overran pillboxes, broke through to the top of the ridge, fanning out behind the Siegfried Line.

Germans made a desperate stand. They rushed in reinforcements as the 12th and 22nd split in a twin-pronged drive. When Germans filtered into the 4th's position from behind, the 8th was recalled from an advance farther north to fill the center gap.

The division front, now extended 15 miles, prevented further penetration without support, so the 4th was ordered to halt, dig in. After 15 weeks of continual advance, the Double Deucers settled down to hold a stabilized line. After guarding the Schnee Eifel and later the Monschau front, the 4th moved to Hurtgen Forest Nov. 5.

Of the campaign just finished, Lt. Gen. (then Maj. Gen.) L.T. Gerow, V Corps Commander wrote:

The aggressive courage, unselfish devotion, tenacity of purpose and outstanding leadership of all ranks is evidenced by the fact that the 4th Infantry Division has never failed to capture its assigned objectives and has never lost ground to the enemy... It is without reservation that I say you have a hard fighting, smooth functioning division.

For the second time, the 4h Div. had driven Germans from France and Belgium. In 1918, the Ivy Division, comprising the 39th, 47th, 58th and 59th Inf. Regts., the 13th, 16th and 77th FA Regts., and the 4th Engrs., also fought Germans in Franuce.

The old 4th, created Dec. 3, 1917, at Camp Greene, N.C., set a remarkable record. It organized, trained, crossed the Atlantic and fought in four offensives before the armistice was signed. It saw heavy action in the Aisne-Mare offensive, on the Vesle, at St. Mihiel and in the Meuse-Argonne before occupying Germany for seven months.

June, 1940, when it seemed that no power on earth could stand against the Wehrmacht, the new 4th was activated. It was organized at Ft. Benning, Ga., with the 8th, 22nd and 29th Inf. Regts.; the 20th, 29th, 42nd and 44th FA Bns; the 4th Engr. Bn., and 4th Special Troops. Later, 12th Inf. replaced 29th Inf. After training at Ft. Benning, maneuvering in Louisiana and Carolina, the 4th served as the War Department's guinea pig in experiments with motorized divisions.

Gen. R.O. Barton, first Chief of Staff, returned as Division Commander in June, 1942. Under Gen. Barton's leadership, the 4th shaped up rapidly as a hard-hitting unit.

After packing up for the North African invasion in Sept. 1942, the 4th was squeezed out by shipping shortages. For the next six months, it set a record as the most frequently alerted unit in the Army. While the fighting raged in Africa and Sicily and landings were made in Italy, the division went on training at Camp Gordon, Ga. and Ft. Dix, N.J., waiting impatiently for its chance.

In Autumn, 1943, the 4th became a straight infantry division, taking its amphibious training at Camp Gordon Johnston, Fla. After two years of restless waiting, the division sailed for England, Jan. 18, 1944. At "Sunny Devon," Joes rehearsed Normandy landings time and time again on the beach at Slapton Sands. D-Day found the 4th ready and raring to go.


HURTGEN -- "DEATH FACTORY"

Hurtgen was a cold, jungle hell -- a death factory. Blocking approaches to Cologne and the Ruhr, Hurtgen was a "must" objective. The terrain was difficult enough -- steep hills, thick woods, numerous creeks, poor roads. Across the front stretched belts of mines and barbed wire rigged with booby traps. Dug-in machine guns were set up to spray the entire area with interlocking fire.

Artillery, doubly dangerous in the woods because of tree bursts, was zeroed in on every conceivable objective. Weather was pure misery -- constant rain, snow, near freezing temperatures. Living for days in water-filled holes, usually without blankets, troops had no escape from cold and wet.

Before the main offensive gut underway, the 12th rushed south to aid a division under heavy enemy pressure. The regiment fought bitterly for eight days, attacking and counter-attacking without flank support. Although it suffered heavy casualties, the 12th returned to join the division's assault Nov. 16.

On the south flank of the offensive, the 4th attacked through the forest toward Duren. Again, its front was extended. To the left of the 12th, now commanded by Col. R.H. Chance, was the 22nd and the 8th, the latter now led by Col. R.G. McKee. For three days the regiment struggled to crack the first enemy lines.

Every yard was difficult, dangerous. Firebreaks and clearings were mined. In the thick woods, German positions couldn't be detected more than five yards away. Yet, Nazi outposts could observe the 4th's approach. Every move brought instant artillery and mortar fire.

The line of wire and mines seemed impossible to crack. Machine guns and artillery blunted every attack. Reaching a firebreak which crossed the front, the 70th Tank Bn. finally broke the wire, rolled beyond. Infantry followed in tracks made by tanks after armor had detonated anti-personnel mines.

In pushing the front forward 1000 yards, the division suffered heavy casualties the first five days. The next enemy line was as tough as the first. The identical procedure had to be repeated.

Another five days produced another destroyed line, another mile gained. Germans brought up fresh regiments, counter-attacking daily. Often, companies were caught before they had a chance to get set. It took another battle to throw back stubborn Germans. After every advance, men spent hours digging holes and cutting logs to cover them. Artillery often whined, burst in the trees before shelters could be finished.

After a day and night of vicious fighting, the 22nd reached Grosshau Nov. 27, wiping out German defenders before going on to the last strip of the forest beyond the town. Still in the woods, the 8th and 12th crashed the third MLR, which was as rough as the others. The Nazis had overlooked no bet. Every approach was covered with every device of defensive warfare. Neither skill nor genius could find an easy way. It took sheer guts to win.

After three days, both regiments shattered the last line and broke through near the east edge of the forest. Then came welcome news. Relief! The 22nd moved to Luxembourg Dec. 3, followed by the 12th four days later and the 8th on Dec. 13.

Gen. Collins again paid tribute to the Famous Fourth:

The drive required a continuous display of top-notch leadership and the highest order of individual courage under the most adverse conditions. The fact that the 4th Division overcame these many difficulties and drove the enemy from the dominating hills overlooking the Roer River is a tribute to the skill, determination and aggressiveness of all ranks.

After Hurtgen, Luxembourg was heaven. Dry, warm houses were a welcome change from holes full of icy water, from incessant shellings. Since the division's sector extended 35 miles, each platoon covered about a mile. Although there was snow, rain and cold for men on post, it was a comparative rest.


FAMOUS FOURTH LOOKS AHEAD

But it didn't last. Germans crossed the river at dawn Dec. 16, attacking the 12th and hitting division outposts from all directions. American platoons battled German battalions. Some platoons, struck from the rear, were overcome. Others withdrew, fighting their way to company areas.

That morning, Gen. Barton issued an order: "There will be no retrograde movement in this sector."

The 4th would stand and fight it out!

When a German battalion swooped down on Berdorf, lone defenders comprised a company headquarters, one rifle squad, two anti-tank squads and a four-man mortar squad. The make-shift defense took refuge in the Parc Hotel, a rifle in every other window, and withstood repeated attacks. Pulverizing German artillery blasted off the roof and part of the hotel's third floor. Doughs moved to other windows, kept firing.

Two platoons were at Dickweiler, three at Osweiler. Units in both towns were surrounded by full strength battalions. Every time Germans attacked, Joes waited until they closed in, then sprayed the Nazis with a withering fire that stopped succeeding assaults with heavy losses.

Other German units, by-passing the two towns, ran into the 12th's reserves. Companies, with a few tanks as support, boldly moved forward to take on a complete battalion. The Americans disregard for the odds confused and worried the Germans. This thin-spread outfit was supposed to be easy pickings. Instead, it was giving the Nazis a terrific headache.

Transferred from their own thinly defended sectors, battalions of the 8th and 22nd came up the next morning to plunge into action. A fresh German regiment attempted a flanking move through a valley at the sector's edge, but the 4th Engr. Bn. and the 4th Recon Troop repulsed the attack.

Moving through the undefended woods at the center of the division's lines, the German 316th Regt. shoved all the way to the rear areas, surrounding a battalion CP. Although the 12th's Cannon Co. was caught with its guns coupled up, Krauts got the bigger surprise. Cannoneers loaded guns and fired point blank while the remainder of the company blazed away with carbines.

A second CP was surrounded when Nazis attacked 2nd Bn., 22nd Inf. Grabbing artillerymen to serve as infantry, Co. C, 70th Tank Bn., relieved the handful of Joes staving off the assault. This was the straw that broke the German breakthrough attempts, but still the enemy wasn't finished.

Withdrawing to their original starting positions, Nazis stormed Berdorf and Echternach. After completely encircling Echternach, the enemy recaptured the town. By now, the 4th had no reserves to call upon. Cooks, quartermasters, MPs -- every possible man in the division -- was in the line.

Gen. Barton decided to pull out of Berdorf and Lauterborn and withdraw to a solid MLR. Garrisons that had held against all odds fell back to the next line.

Germans followed. But they were too late. After attacking monotonously for three days, three battalions of the German 212th Div., already badly mauled, were wiped out. Only one German of 2nd Bn., 316th, survived the battle at Michelshof. He surrendered.

Transferred from the division Dec. 27, Gen. Barton had commanded the Famous Fourth for two and a half years, leading it with brilliant success through nine operations. Succeeding him was Brig. Gen. Harold W. Blakeley, artillery commander. Taking over Gen. Blakeley's post was Col. R.T. Guthrie.

Under Gen. Blakeley, the battle of Luxembourg was pushed to complete victory. Along with the 5th Inf. Div., which took over a portion of the front, Double Deucers seized the offensive. Germans failed to hold the little territory they had recaptured. By Jan. 1, remnants of the 2i2th Div. reeled backward.

Von Rundstedt's big gamble was definitely washed up by mid-January; the bulge was whittled down all along the line. The 4th now was sent in to cut off another chunk.

At 0300 Jan. 18, the 8th crossed the Sauer River in the winter's roughest weather. A strong north wind lashed stinging rain, sleet and snow in doughs' faces. Trucks and trailers skidded and ditched along steep, ice-covered roads. The bridging job was the toughest 4th Engrs. ever had experienced.

Surprised by the first assault, Germans were quick to retaliate. Advancing northward across the front of the Siegfried Line, the 8th took heavy flanking fire from hillside defenders. Doggedly, 8th doughs pushed on to their objective. Farther north, the 12th overran Fuhren and took the high ground near Vianden. By Jan. 21, the division had captured all its objectives.

In commending the 4th, Maj. Gen. M.S. Eddy, XII Corps Commander, said:

Your combat record since D-Day has been in the highest traditions of the American Army... Your execution of this mission (clearing the enemy from positions west of the Our River) was a demonstration of sound tactical planning and bold courage by a division who knew its business. Let me express my deep appreciation of your magnificent contribution to the successful operation of the XII Corps in Luxembourg.

Five days later, the Famous Fourth moved again, joining in the pursuit of Germans, now in headlong retreat from Belgium. Crossing the border in the same place it had back in September, the division recaptured familiar villages. Elcherat, Winterscheid, Bleialf were among those falling to the 12th.

Scaling the Schnee Eifel in a snow storm, the 8th closed. in on pillboxes and entrenchments from the rear to recover in two days all that segment of the Siegfried Line which it had won in September. The 22nd took the fortified town of Brandscheid, which previously had withstood all attacks.

Double Deucers drove through snow, rain, and mud, deeper and deeper into the Rhineland. Germans fought and fell back from village to village; nowhere did they stand more than a day. On Feb. 9, the 8th crossed the Prum River. Two days later, the 22nd took Prum.

Pausing long enough for other divisions to draw abreast, the 4th, along with the 11th Armd. Div., pushed on to cross the Kyll River at the beginning of March.

A task force under Brig. Gen. Rodwell made a dramatic 24-hour dash which carried it more than 20 miles, capturing Adenau and Reifferscheid.

The division took added pride in turning Adenau over to Maj. Gen. Troy Middleton, VII Corps Commander. Gen Middleton was an officer in the old 4th which had occupied the town 27 years earlier.

As Gen. Rodwell's force was fighting forward, orders arrived to move the division 200 miles south, to Gen. Patch's Seventh Army.

New problems, new battles await the 4th, but it faces them with calm, certain confidence that it will do what it always has done -- accomplish its mission.

[Manley 4th ID]

The Fourth Division arrived in the UK in early 1944. It took part in the Normandy Invasion, with the 8th Infantry Regiment of the 4th Division was one of the first Allied units to hit the beaches at Normandy on D-day, 6 June 1944. Relieving the isolated 82d Airborne Division at Ste. Mere Eglise, the 4th cleared the Cotentin peninsula and took part in the capture of Cherbourg, 25 June. After taking part in the fighting near Periers, 6-12 July,, the Division broke through the left flank of the German Seventh Army, helped stem the German drive toward Avranches, and by the end of August had moved to Paris, assisting the French in the liberation of their capital. The 4th then moved into Belgium through Houffalize to attack the Siegfried Line at Schnee Eifel, 14 September, and made several penetrations. Slow progress into Germany continued in October, and by 6 November the Division reached the Hurtgen Forest, where a severe engagement took place until early December. It then shifted to Luxembourg, only to meet the German winter offensive head-on, 16 December 1944. Although its lines were dented, it managed to hold the Germans at Dickweiler and Osweiler, and, counterattacking in January across the Sauer, overran German positions in Fouhren and Vianden. Halted at the Prum in February by heavy enemy resistance, the Division finally crossed 28 February near Olzheim, and raced on across the Kyll, 7 March. After a short rest, the 4th moved across the Rhine 29 March at Worms, attacked and secured Wurzburg and by 3 April had established a bridgehead across the Main at Ochsenfurt. Speeding southeast across Bavaria, the Division had reached Miesbach on the Isar, 2 May 1945, when it was relieved and placed on occupation duty. The Division returned to the US in July 1946, and was inactivated on 5 March 1946. It was reactivated on 15 July 1947.

[Bankert 4th ID]

Operation Overlord June 6 1944:






Task Foce U -  Utah Beach, Normandy:















Aerial Reconnaissance Photos of Utah Beach, Normandy:











End of D-Day:







June 19 1944 Attack Plans:







Aerial Reconnaissance Photos of Cherbourg:











Captured enemy map, German High Command (West), dated 6-7 June 1944:











Cherbourg 27 June 1944:







Hurtgen Forest Nov. 8-22 1944 4th Division 8th IR:











The Ardennes Offensive 16 December 1944 - 25 January 1945 "Battle of the Bulge" :







4th Division Situation, 12-27 Feb '45 and Regimental Plan of Attack:









Detailed Operation Monographs - 4th Infantry Division:



Mabry, George L. LTC, "Operations of the 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, in the Landing at Utah Beach, 5-7 June 1944" (Normandy Campaign)
https://www.benning.army.mil/monographs/content/wwii/STUP2/Mabry_George_000.pdf


Carter, Daniel M. MAJ, "Operations of the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion, attached to the 4th Infantry Division, for the Normandy Peninsula" (Normandy Campaign)
https://www.benning.army.mil/monographs/content/wwii/STUP2/Carter,%20Daniel%20M.%20MAJ.pdf


Haley, James W. LTC, "Operations of 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, in the Hurtgen Forest, Germany, 16-22 November 1944" (Rhineland Campaign)
https://www.benning.army.mil/monographs/content/wwii/STUP2/HaleyJames%20W.%20LTC.pdf


Oettinger, Frederic, H. Jr. CPT, "Operations of Company B, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, in the Huertgen Forest, West of Gey, Germany, 28 November - 5 December 1944" (Rhineland Campaign)
https://www.benning.army.mil/monographs/content/wwii/STUP2/OettingerFredericNJr%20%20CPT.pdf


Bailey, Claude E. CPT, "Operations of Company I, 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division, East of Olzheim, Germany, 28 February-1 March 1945" (Rhineland Campaign)
https://www.benning.army.mil/monographs/content/wwii/STUP2/Bailey,%20Claude%20E.%20CPT.pdf

[Bankert 4th ID]

July 1945 - May 1956
The division returned to the United States in July 1945 and was stationed at Camp Butner North Carolina, preparing for deployment to the Pacific. After the war ended it was inactivated on 5 March 1946. It was reactivated as a training division at Fort Ord, California on 15 July 1947.

On 1 October 1950, it was redesignated a combat division, training at Fort Benning, Georgia. In May 1951 it deployed to Germany as the first of four U.S. divisions committed to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization during the early years of the Cold War. The division headquarters was at Frankfurt. After a five-year tour in Germany, the division redeployed to Fort Lewis, Washington in May 1956.

The 6th Tank Battalion of the 2d Armored Division, Fort Hood, Texas, was sent to Korea during the war to serve with the 24th Infantry Division. The lineages of the tank companies within the battalion are perpetuated by battalions of today's 66th[1] and 67th[2] Armor Regiments in the 4th Infantry Division.


When the 4th Infantry Division arrived in Vietnam in September 1966, its brigades were deployed to different locations. With the 1st Brigade near the South China Sea (later the Central Highlands) , 2nd Brigade in the Central Highlands, and the 3rd Brigade in the War Zone C, the 4th Infantry took part in 11 major campaigns during its 4 ? years in Vietnam.

The 4th Infantry Division returned from Vietnam in December 1970 and settled at Fort Carson, Colorado where it reorganized as a mechanized infantry division and remained at Carson for 25 years. It was during the Division?s time at Fort Carson that it had the unofficial nickname of the ?Ironhorse? Division. The 4th Infantry Division moved its colors to Fort Hood, Texas in December 1995 to become the Army?s first Digitized Division under the Force XXI program. In this program the Division was thoroughly involved in the training, testing, and evaluation of 72 initiatives to include the Division?s Capstone Exercise (DCX) I held at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California in April, 2001 and culminating in the DCX II held at Fort Hood in October 2001.

Division elements have supported rotations to Bosnia and Kuwait as well as providing a Task Force to fight forest fires in Idaho in 2000. 4ID Soldiers supported the Winter Olympics in Utah. Since November 2001, the Division?s mission was the Division Ready Brigade?prepared to deploy at a moment?s notice to anywhere in the world.

In January 2003, the Division received orders for its latest mission. The entire Division loaded their equipment and deployed to war in Iraq. Arriving in March 2004, the Division moved from their Kuwaiti staging areas northward to an area north of Baghdad. Division headquarters was established in Tikrit and the Division?s brigades were located over a large Area of Operations in the ?Sunni Triangle?. Thousands of raids and patrols were launched to find remnants of Saddam Hussein loyalists and terrorist operatives who were in the area. One important accomplishment of the Division was the capture, on 13 December 2003, of the former president of Iraq, Saddam Hussein, found just south of Tikrit hiding in a spider-hole. In addition to the wartime and counter-insurgency missions, the Division was instrumental in opening and supplying thousands of schools, hospitals, and clinics within their AO. Division personnel also repaired bridges, roads, power plants, oil pipelines, water mains and many other essential parts of the Iraqi infrastructure.

Returning to Fort Hood in March, 2004 the Division began implementation of a new organizational structure called Modularity.

The 4th Infantry Division was deployed for its second rotation in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in November of 2005. Most of the units spent a few weeks in transit at Camp Buehring in Kuwait, training and preparing for operations before arriving in Iraq. The majority of the 4th Infantry Division reached central and southern Iraq by January of 2006 while a detachment of 350 4th ID support brigade troops were deployed earlier, in September of 2005, to coordinate the transfer of the division?s equipment.

The 4th Infantry Division is the Army's First Digitized Division. Today, the 4th Infantry Division is the most lethal, modern, and deployable heavy division in the world; it is prepared to conduct full-spectrum combat operations. It is organized with seven Brigade-sized elements: four maneuver brigades, a combat aviation brigade, division artillery, and division support command. The 4th Inf. Div. is one of the units benefiting from this expansion as it welcomes the formation of the 4th Brigade Combat Team and an additional 5,000 Soldiers to its combat forces.

The 4th Infantry Division is the decisive element of III Corps, the nation's Counteroffensive Force, which forms the nucleus of the Army's capability to fight and win decisively over the next 15 to 20 years. The continued modernization and recapitalization of the Counter Offensive Force is a critical requirement - this force provides America's war winning capability for the nation while the Army transforms to the Objective Force.

The 4th Infantry Division nickname, the "Ivy Division," comes from the design of its shoulder patch: four green ivy leaves joined at the stem and opening at the four corners. The word "Ivy" is a play on the roman numeral four, IV. Ivy leaves are symbolic of tenacity and fidelity, the basis of the Division's motto, "Steadfast and Loyal".

The 4th Infantry Division is leading the United States Army into the 21st century under the banner of Force XXI. They are busy developing and testing state of the art digital communications equipment, night fighting gear, advanced weaponry, and doctrine to prepare the Army for wars in the next century. Recently, the division has adopted the nickname "Iron Horse" to better reflect the power they posses.

Two decades passed before the Division would again see combat. When the 4th Infantry Division arrived in Vietnam in September 1966, its brigades were deployed to different locations. With the 1st Brigade near the South China Sea, 2nd Brigade in the central highlands, and the 3rd Brigade in the Mekong Delta, the 4th Infantry Division took part in 11 major campaigns during its five years in Vietnam.

The 4th Infantry Division returned from Vietnam in December of 1970 and settled at Fort Carson, Colorado, where it reorganized as a mechanized unit and remained for 25 years. It was during the Division's time at Fort Carson that its nickname transitioned from the "Ivy" Division to the "Ironhorse" Division. The nickname, "Ironhorse," remains today in recognition of the Division's readiness for contingency deployment worldwide.

EXFOR / Force XXI
Under the 10 division redesign from the Secretary of the Army, the 2nd Armored Division at Fort Hood cased its division colors and was reflagged as the 4th Infantry Division in December 1995. A few months prior to that ceremony, the 2nd Armored Division was tagged as the Army's EXFOR, so at the reflagging event, the new EXFOR flag was added to the division color guard. The 4th Infantry Division is leading the Army as the "Digitization Division" in the Advanced Warfighting Experiment (AWE). The division is constantly testing new equipment and ways of fighting.

The 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) moved its colors to Fort Hood, Texas, in December 1995 to become the Army's first Force XXI division. When the 4th ID participated in the EXFOR Army Warfighting Experiment in March 1997, the digital communications packages were installed as appliques on the 1st Brigade's M1 Abrams tanks and Bradley Fighting Vehicles. Now the division has M1A2 SEP (system enhancement program) tanks and M2A3 SEP Bradleys. The vehicles have the Force XXI Battle Command Brigade and Below, or FBCB2, digital command and control systems built in. FBCB2 is the empowering device in these platforms that allows you to see where you are, see where the enemy is, see where your buddies are. The Apache Long Bows are also equipped with FBCB2. FBCB2 is a software program that drives the information gathering and communications systems. While it is generations ahead of the applique versions, it is constantly evolving. Later versions will only increase the decision-making abilities of warfighters.

Division teaming began in 1998 as a pilot program, pairing the 49th with the 1st Cavalry Division headquartered at Fort Hood, Texas, and California's 40th Mechanized Division with the Army's 4th Mechanized Division, also headquartered at Fort Hood. This original division teaming was announced at the 1998 National Guard Association conference by then Army Chief of Staff Gen. Dennis J. Reimer. It was part of a program to integrate the active and reserve components, or AC/RC integration. Under division teaming, one division would have the lead in certain areas, and the divisions would share resources. When one division deployed, the other would mobilize to provide replacement operations, Reimer said during his conference speech. The Army's 1st Cavalry Division required additional personnel in order to mobilize to Bosnia in 1998. Had the Army already begun a pilot program matching active-duty divisions to Guard divisions, additional personnel could have come from the Guard.

The Division was thoroughly involved in the training, testing, and evaluation of 72 initiatives to include the Division Capstone Exercise (DCX) I held at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California in April 2001, and culminating in the DCX II held at Fort Hood in October 2001.

The April 2001 Division Capstone Exercise highlighted the Army's newest battlefield technology in brigade-sized maneuvers against the National Training Center's opposing force. The 4th had days of force-on-force maneuvers followed by live-fire exercises. The Army's first digitized division will demonstrate what combat forces linked by the internet can bring to the battlefield at the Division Capstone Exercise 1-14 April 2001 at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, CA. A mechanized brigade from the 4th ID brought new M1A2 Abrams tanks and other heavy equipment to the training event. The 4th ID aviation brigade and its Apache Long Bow helicopters also participated. About 7,000 division soldiers were involved in the exercise. The exercise removed the 4th ID from Army's experimentation program.

As of mid-November 2001, the aviation brigade had returned from a rotation at the National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, CA. This rotation was unique because the 4th Brigade served as the primary maneuver headquarters for an armor-heavy task force, an artillery task force, an engineer task force, and its own division cavalry squadron and attack helicopter heavy aviation task force. Overall the rotation was successful and many useful lessons were learned. This will lead to important improvements in tactics and aviation's role as a maneuver force.

Trained and ready, on 1 November 2001 the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) entered a new era of service to the nation and assumed the Army's mission of Division Ready Brigade.

The 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized) is the Army's first digitized division. The new division is smaller, on paper - going from an authorization of nearly 16,700 to slightly over 15,000. Also, there are 24% fewer combat platforms in the division, most of those reductions occurring in the armor and infantry battalions. Although smaller in number of personnel and vehicles, increased combat lethality, survivability and speed are achieved through information age technologies and logistic efficiencies.

The essence of FORCE XXI is the redesign of the Army at all echelons organized around information and information technologies. One of the main facets of FORCE XXI is the "digital" battlefield. In this digital battlefield, warfighters and commanders will have greatly enhanced situational awareness and will be empowered to react to the dynamic nature of the non-linear battlespace. This development is evolutionary in that it utilizes many of the existing military concepts, systems and lessons-learned. It is revolutionary in the sense that it will provide new capabilities that increase the lethality and effective range of weapons systems and even more, the ability of commander to be in the right place at the right time to use these weapons and information systems to their maximum potential.

The maneuver brigades have their own scouts - the Brigade Reconnaissance Team (BRT.)
The maneuver battalions were reduced to three companies with a total of 45 combat vehicles. Company organizations will remain the same.
The mortar platoon was standardized at four 120mm mortars each.
The dismounts was standardized at three squads of nine men in each mechanized infantry platoon.
The Division Artillery's Multiple Launch Rocket System battalion had three MLRS battery's of nine launchers each.
The Engineer Brigade HHC was replaced by a planning section at the division level. An Engineer battalion was habitually associated with each of the three maneuver brigades.
Combat Service Support is centralized. They return to maneuver formations in the form of Forward Support Companies (FSC) associated with maneuver battalions and Forward Support Battalions (FSB) associated with the maneuver brigades. Logistic resupply was distribution based instead of supply based.
There are organic Reserve Component positions and organizations in the Division. They wear the same patch, train to the same level and be accountable for the same mission requirements. They are included in Command and Control/Staff augmentation, signal, aviation, and medical positions/units. The total number is around 500.
Some units, such as the Chemical Company and water purification units, were "passed back" or moved to Corps.
Operation Iraqi Freedom
On January 20, 2003 press reports began to surface indicating that the entire 4th ID had been ordered to deploy to Southwest Asia in preperation for an attack on Iraq. This deployment would include the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Brigades and would total some 17,000 troops.

In March 2003, 4th Inf. Div. deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Division headquarters was established in Tikrit and the division's brigades were located over a large Area of Operations in the "Sunni Triangle." 4th Inf. Div. Soldiers conducted numerous raids and patrols seeking the remainder of Saddam Hussein loyalists and terrorist operatives in the area. On Dec. 13, 2003, the division was responsible for finding and capturing Saddam Hussein, the former Iraqi president.

4th Infantry Division Goes 'Modular'
On 16 December 2004 the 4th Infantry Division formally moved into a new era of organization and effectiveness when it officially became the Army's newest "modular" division. The transformation of the 4th Infantry Division from a "legacy" division to a "modular" configuration is in tune with the dramatic changes being felt throughout the Army as it carries through and adopts its strategic vision for the future.

"We will tailor our units under modularity to transition and transform the force from a divisional-based army to a brigade-based Army. We are literally pushing down assets to make brigades more autonomous," said Maj. Gen. J. D. Thurman, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division.

The Army designed the traditional legacy divisions as the basic building blocks for a Cold-War Army. The 4th Infantry Division. now contains four self-sustaining brigade combat teams, otherwise known as units of action, which are the basic building blocks for modular units. The legacy divisions were each unique in their designs and capabilities. That uniqueness is changing so that units will now mirror one another in their designs and capabilities. The new organization means that the 4th Infantry Division is at the forefront of the Army's changes.

The transformation to modular organizations affects nearly every aspect of the way the 4th Infantry Division is organized and the way the division trains, lives and deploys. Eighty-eight percent of the division has moved offices or barracks and nearly 5,000 new soldiers will be assigned to the division before the transformation is complete.

Major additions to the division include the 4th Brigade Combat Team, with about 3,700 soldiers, and nearly doubling the Aviation Brigade, which includes a new attack helicopter battalion, a new assault helicopter battalion and a new company of CH-47 Chinook helicopters. It had been 30 years since Chinooks were assigned to the division.

In addition to the new helicopters, the division completes the fielding of M1A2 Abrams System Enhancement Package tanks. It also adds M2A2 Bradley Fire Support vehicles. The division additionally has upgraded its M109 A6 Paladin howitzers, M2 Infantry Fighting Vehicles, M3 Cavalry Fighting Vehicles and numerous command and control systems.

Two of the division's four brigades have been designated as lifecycle-managed units. This means that soldiers will be assigned to the same brigade for three years. The units will form together, train together, and deploy together as an effective fighting formation backed up by a strong support group at home.

The modular division now consists of a more robust division headquarters, which is capable of functioning as a joint task force headquarters. It has changed and added the ability to function as a division or joint headquarters. The headquarters has greater command and control abilities with increases in critical staff functions.

The division now consists of four brigade units of action, a fires brigade, an aviation brigade and a support brigade. The design of the different types of modular brigades is consistent across the Army: a heavy brigade in 4th Infantry Division will be the same as a heavy brigade at 3rd Infantry Division

Each of the units of action, otherwise known as brigade combat teams, consist of two combined arms battalions, a reconnaissance squadron, an artillery battalion, and attached special troops and support battalions.

The combined arms battalions each have two armor companies, two infantry companies, an engineer company and a headquarters and headquarters company.

The multifunctional aviation brigade increased from 16 AH-64D Apache helicopters in one attack battalion to 48 Apaches in two battalions and added a general support battalion that includes Ch-47D Chinook helicopters and more UH-60 Black Hawks. The aviation support battalion moved from the division support command and now falls under the aviation brigade.

As a result of the transformation, two battalions and a company case their colors and no longer serve as active units in the division - the 124th Signal Battalion, the 104th Military Intelligence Battalion and the 4th Military Police Company. Other units throughout the division absorbed Soldiers from those battalions.

The division also bids farewell to the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Artillery as it leaves Fort Hood and transforms into the 1st Battalion, 44th Air Defense Missile Artillery at Fort Bliss.

The 1st, 2nd and 4th brigade combat teams are stationed on Fort Hood while the 3rd brigade combat team transforms to modular design at Fort Carson. Some battalion- and company-level units have assumed new unit designations as determined by the Center for Military History.


http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/agency/army/4id.htm

http://www.armystudyguide.com/content/Unit_history/Division_history/4th-infantry-division.shtml