US 1st Armored Division

The 1st Armored Division [nicknamed “Old Ironsides”] was the first armored division of the U.S. Army to see battle in World War II. It is a standing armored division of the United States Army with base of operations in Wiesbaden, Germany. The entire 1st Armored Division is scheduled to arrive at Fort Bliss, Texas between 2008 and 2011, where they will replace the outgoing air defense artillery units (largely Patriot missile Battalions) currently stationed at Fort Bliss.

1. On July 15, 1940, 7th Cavalry Brigade was expanded, reorganized, and redesignated as 1st Armored Division. Who was the first commander from July 1940-March 1942?

• Major General John Baker
• Major General Mark Reynolds
• Major General Bruce Magruder

2. The 1st Armored Division was ordered on April 11, 1942 to await their deployment overseas. Where was their temporary station?

• Fort Thompson
• Fort Dix
• Fort New York

3. Board their ship at the New York Port of Embarkation at the Brooklyn Army Terminal on May 11, 1942. What ship did they take overseas?

• Queen Elizabeth
• Queen Mary
• USS Mayberry

4. They arrived on May 16, 1942, and trained on the moors until they moved on to England on October 29, 1942. Where was their first stop?

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

5. From March 1942 to April 1943, who commanded the 1st Armored Division?

• Major General John Baker
• Major General Mark Reynolds
• Major General Orlando Ward

6. The unit's first contact with an enemy was as part of the Allied invasion of Northwest Africa, Operation Torch, on November 8, 1942. Elements of the division were part of the Northern Task Force and became the first American armored division to see combat in World War II.

• True or False?

7. The division fought the Battle for Djebel Achtel between May 5 and May 11, 1943, and entered Ferryville on May 7, 1943. The German forces in Tunisia surrendered between May 9 and May 13, 1943. The division was reorganized in French Morocco. When did they begin arriving in Naples, Italy?

• October 28, 1943
• November 15, 1943
• December 7, 1943

8. From April 1943 to July 1944, who commanded the 1st Armored Division?

• Major General Ernest N. Harmon
• Major General John G. Roosevelt
• Major General Tim McCoy

9. It then flanked the Axis armies in the landings at Anzio, and participated in the liberation of Rome on June 4, 1944. The division continued in combat to the Po Valley until the German forces in Italy surrendered on May 2, 1945. In June, the Division moved to Germany as part of the occupation forces.

• True or False?

10. 1st Armored Division returned to the New York Port of Embarkation on April 24, 1946, and was deactivated at Camp Kilmer, New Jersey on April 25, 1946. Who was the last commander?

• Major General Robin Moore
• Major General Hobart R. Gay
• Major General Tim McCalle

1st Armored Division (United States) Answers

1. Major General Bruce Magruder
2. Fort Dix
3. Queen Mary
4. Northern Ireland
5. Major General Orlando Ward
6. True
7. October 28, 1943
8. Major General Ernest N. Harmon
9. True
10. Major General Hobart R. Gay

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