U.S. 86th Infantry Division
Encyclopedia
The 86th Infantry Division was a unit of the United States Army
in World War I
and World War II
.
, Germany, taking over defensive positions near Weiden, 24 March, in relief of the 8th Infantry Division. After a short period of patrolling on both sides of the Rhine, the division was relieved, and moved across the Rhine to Eibelshausen, Germany, 5 April. In a rapid offensive advance, the 86th moved across the Bigge River, cleared Attendorn, 11 April, and continued on to the Ruhr, taking part in the Ruhr pocket fighting. On 21 April, the division moved to Ansbach and continued to advance, taking Eichstätt on the 25th, crossing the Danube
at Ingolstadt
on the 27th, securing the bridge over the Amper Canal, 29 April, crossing the Isar and reaching Mittel Isar Canal by the end of the month. The division was ordered to take Wasserburg, 1 May, and leading elements had reached the outskirts of the city when they were ordered to withdraw, 2 May, and to move east to Salzburg
.
On 4 May, the Division captured the crown jewels of Hungary in Mattsee
, Austria. At the end of the war, the division was securing the left flank of the XV Corps. After processing German prisoners of war, it was redeployed to the United States, arriving in New York 17 June 1945. The division trained briefly at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, 21 June-11 August 1945; and then left San Francisco, 24 August 1945, for the Philippines. The 86th Division was aboard ship in Leyte harbor when the Japanese surrendered. After landing on Luzon the unit was dispersed throughout the Island, some to Marikina, some to other locations. A few were assigned to Corregidor Island to
guard Japanese prisoners of war.
. Frederic McLaughlin
, was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I. In 1926, McLaughlin would be granted a franchise by the National Hockey League
, which he would put in his home town of Chicago. He named the team the Chicago Blackhawks
after the unit.
Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at
http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cbtchron.html
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
in World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
and World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
World War I
- Combat: Saw no combat; was activated 25 August 1917 at Camp GrantCamp Grant (Illinois)For other uses see Camp Grant.Camp Grant was a U.S. Army facility located in the southern outskirts of Rockford, Illinois named in honor of General Ulysses S. Grant...
in Rockford, Illinois, went overseas in August 1918, returned to United States in November 1918, and was inactivated in January 1919.
- Commanders: Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Barry (25 August 1917), Brig. Gen. Lyman W.V. KennonLyman W.V. KennonLyman Walter Vere Kennon was a career United States military officer in active service from 1881 to 1918, attaining the rank of brigadier general. During the Spanish-American War Kennon was in command of Company "E" 6th Infantry Regiment and was cited for bravery at San Juan Hill...
(26 November 1917), Maj. Gen. Thomas H. Barry (15 February 1918), Brig. Gen. Lyman W.V. KennonLyman W.V. KennonLyman Walter Vere Kennon was a career United States military officer in active service from 1881 to 1918, attaining the rank of brigadier general. During the Spanish-American War Kennon was in command of Company "E" 6th Infantry Regiment and was cited for bravery at San Juan Hill...
(21 March 1918), Brig. Gen. Charles Henry MartinCharles Henry MartinCharles Henry Martin was an American Army officer and later politician in the state of Oregon. A native of Illinois, he had a 40-year career in the military including serving in conflicts from the Spanish-American War to World War I before retiring as a major general. A Democrat, he was the U.S...
(18 April 1918), Maj. Gen. Charles H. Martin (30 April 1918), Brig. Gen. Lincoln C. Andrews (19 October 1918).
World War II
- Activated: 15 December 1942
- Overseas: 19 February 1945, for the ETO; 24 August 1945, for the Pacific
- Campaigns: Central Europe
- Days of combat: 34
- Awards: DSC-2 ; DSM-1 ; SS-12 ; LM-1; SM-1 ; BSM282 ; AM-2
- Commanders: Maj. Gen. Alexander E. Anderson (December 1942), Maj. Gen. Harris M. Melasky (4 January 1943 – December 1945), Maj. Gen. Paul J. Mueller (January 1946 – April 1946), Maj. Gen. Harry F. Hazlett (June 1946 to inactivation)
- Returned to U.S.: 17 June 1945, from the ETO
- Overseas: 24 August 1945
- Inactivated: 30 December 1946 on Leyte, Philippine Islands
Combat chronicle
The 86th Infantry Division arrived in France, 4 March 1945, and moved to KölnKOLN
KOLN, digital channel 10, is the CBS affiliate in Lincoln, Nebraska. It operates a satellite station, KGIN, on digital channel 11 in Grand Island. KGIN repeats all KOLN programming, but airs separate commercials...
, Germany, taking over defensive positions near Weiden, 24 March, in relief of the 8th Infantry Division. After a short period of patrolling on both sides of the Rhine, the division was relieved, and moved across the Rhine to Eibelshausen, Germany, 5 April. In a rapid offensive advance, the 86th moved across the Bigge River, cleared Attendorn, 11 April, and continued on to the Ruhr, taking part in the Ruhr pocket fighting. On 21 April, the division moved to Ansbach and continued to advance, taking Eichstätt on the 25th, crossing the Danube
Danube
The Danube is a river in the Central Europe and the Europe's second longest river after the Volga. It is classified as an international waterway....
at Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt
Ingolstadt is a city in the Free State of Bavaria, in the Federal Republic of Germany. It is located along the banks of the Danube River, in the center of Bavaria. As at 31 March 2011, Ingolstadt had 125.407 residents...
on the 27th, securing the bridge over the Amper Canal, 29 April, crossing the Isar and reaching Mittel Isar Canal by the end of the month. The division was ordered to take Wasserburg, 1 May, and leading elements had reached the outskirts of the city when they were ordered to withdraw, 2 May, and to move east to Salzburg
Salzburg
-Population development:In 1935, the population significantly increased when Salzburg absorbed adjacent municipalities. After World War II, numerous refugees found a new home in the city. New residential space was created for American soldiers of the postwar Occupation, and could be used for...
.
On 4 May, the Division captured the crown jewels of Hungary in Mattsee
Mattsee
Mattsee is a market town at the eponymous lake in the district of Salzburg-Umgebung in the Austrian state of Salzburg.-History:About 765 Duke Tassilo III of Bavaria established the Mattsee Benedictine Abbey, that became a part of the Diocese of Passau in 993 and was transformed into a college of...
, Austria. At the end of the war, the division was securing the left flank of the XV Corps. After processing German prisoners of war, it was redeployed to the United States, arriving in New York 17 June 1945. The division trained briefly at Camp Gruber, Oklahoma, 21 June-11 August 1945; and then left San Francisco, 24 August 1945, for the Philippines. The 86th Division was aboard ship in Leyte harbor when the Japanese surrendered. After landing on Luzon the unit was dispersed throughout the Island, some to Marikina, some to other locations. A few were assigned to Corregidor Island to
guard Japanese prisoners of war.
Assignments in the ETO
- 30 January 1945: Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group.
- 22 March 1945: VII Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group.
- 30 March 1945: XXII Corps, Fifteenth Army, 12th Army Group.
- 5 April 1945: XVIII (Abn) Corps, First Army, 12th Army Group.
- 19 April 1945: Third Army, 12th Army Group.
- 22 April 1945: III Corps.
- 2 May 1945: XV Corps, Seventh Army, 6th Army Group.
Nickname and Legacy
The division was nicknamed the "Black Hawk Division," named after the Sauk Leader Chief Black HawkBlack Hawk
-People:* Black Hawk , a Sauk and Fox leader of the 19th century** The Black Hawk War, named after him.* Black Hawk , a Sans Arc Lakota artist of the 19th century* Antonga Black Hawk, a Ute leader known to whites as "Black Hawk"...
. Frederic McLaughlin
Frederic McLaughlin
Frederic McLaughlin was the first owner of the Chicago Black Hawks.Born in Chicago, Illinois, McLaughlin inherited a successful coffee business from his father, who died in 1905. McLaughlin was a graduate of Harvard University and served in the United States Army during World War I...
, was a commander with the 333rd Machine Gun Battalion of the 86th Infantry Division during World War I. In 1926, McLaughlin would be granted a franchise by the National Hockey League
National Hockey League
The National Hockey League is an unincorporated not-for-profit association which operates a major professional ice hockey league of 30 franchised member clubs, of which 7 are currently located in Canada and 23 in the United States...
, which he would put in his home town of Chicago. He named the team the Chicago Blackhawks
Chicago Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are a professional ice hockey team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League . They have won four Stanley Cup championships since their founding in 1926, most recently coming in 2009-10...
after the unit.
Sources
- The Army Almanac: A Book of Facts Concerning the Army of the United States U.S.
Government Printing Office, 1950 reproduced at
http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/cbtchron/cbtchron.html