There is a vast amount of detailed information on the shipment of divisions overseas in World War II, but a simple table with precise dates and brief explanatory notes for the main phases in the movement of divisions overseas during this period has not been found in Department of the Army files. The sources of information on which the following table and the accompanying notes were based are scattered in diverse Army files and publications. Further detailed information can be secured by consulting official division records now located at the Field Records Division, Kansas City Records Center, Kansas City, Missouri. Appendix D
Shipment of Divisions Overseas: January 1942--September 1944The most useful sources consulted were: (I) division headquarters history data cards of the Organization and Directory Section, Operations Branch, Adjutant General's Office; (2) "Combat Chronicle, An Outline History of U.S. Army Divisions," prepared by Order of Battle Section, OCMH: (3) MS, "Order of Battle in the Pacific," prepared by Order of Battle Section, OCMH, for the U.S. ARMY IN WORLD WAR II series: (4) "Order of Battle of the U.S. Army, World War II, European Theater of Operations," prepared by the Theater Historian (Paris, 1945); (5) Strategic Plans Unit Study 4; and (6) division histories published by division associations. It was necessary to rely most heavily on the history data cards maintained by The Adjutant General's Office. These history data cards were compiled during the war from whatever sources were available water transportation reports, strength reports, station lists, postal reports, and AG letters and are therefore not entirely accurate. The discrepancies, however, are minor and the margin for error usually falls within a 1-3 day spread.
There are a number of explanations for the discrepancies: scheduled departures might be changed or delayed; availability of shipping might send units of the division in different convoys; time of arrival of a ship might be reported as a different day from that of debarkation of the troops; and ships arriving at one harbor might be diverted to another harbor for unloading. The time factor might also account for differences of one day, depending on the use of the Washington or the local overseas date, or on the hour before or after midnight.
The dates given in this table represent the closest possible adjustment of the conflicting data found in the records and are reliable within a very small margin of error.
In the study of the phases of movement of those divisions shipped overseas during this period, it appeared that, unless the movement was made on a ship the size of the Queen Mary or Queen
Elizabeth a division's movement would usually be divided into shipments of an advance detachment, followed at a later date by the division headquarters and the main body of troops, and frequently by a rear echelon movement of units held in port of embarkation backlog. if the destination was in a combat area, a regimental combat team would often comprise the first echelon of a divisional movement. In the light of piecemeal movements of the elements of a division, it was found most practicable in establishing dates to chart the movement of the division headquarters. The procedure was also followed in determining the location of the division as of 30 September 1944. These dates and locations do not necessarily coincide with the movement or position of other elements of the divisions. For a more detailed consideration of the movement of the divisions and their elements during 1942, the reader is referred to Matloff and Snell, Strategic Planning for Coalition Warfare, 1941-42, Appendix F.In regard to campaign credits, only the divisional credits are listed, although in many cases individual divisional units were given campaign credits not accorded the division as a whole.
Appendix D-1
SHIPMENT OF DIVISIONS
Year
DivisionaDate of Sailinga Port of Embarkationa Initial Destinationa Date of
Arrival
OverseasaCompletion
of Overseas
Movementsb1942 Philippine (c) 24th (d) 25th (d) 34th 15 Jan 42 New York U.K. 26 Jan 42 May 42 Americal (e) 27th 10 Mar 42 San Francisco Hawaii 15 Mar 42 Apr 42 41st 19 Mar 42 San Francisco Australia 7 Apr 42 May 42 32d 22 Apr 42 San Francisco Australia 14 May 42 May 42 5th 30 Apr 42 New York Iceland 11 May 42 May 42 1st Armd 11 May 42 New York U.K. 16 May 42 Jun 42 37th 26 May 42 San Francisco Fiji Islands; 10 Jun 42 Sep 42 1st 2 Aug 42 New York U.K. 7 Aug 42 Aug 42 40th 23 Aug 42 San Francisco Hawaii 1 Sep 42 Oct 42 43d 1 Oct 42 San Francisco New Zealand 23 Oct 42 Oct 42 29th 5 Oct 42 New York U.K. 11 Oct 42 Oct 42 3d 24 Oct 42 Hampton Roads North Africa 8 Nov 42 Jan 43 2d Armd 12 Dec 42 New York North Africa 25 Dec 42 Dec 42 9th 12 Dec 42 New York North Africa 25 Dec 42 Jan 43 1943
36th 1 Apr 43 New York North Africa 13 Apr 43 Apr 43 7th 24 Apr 43 San Francisco Alaska 30 Apr 43 Jul 43 82d AB 28 Apr 43 New York North Africa 10May43 May 43 45th 8 Jun 43 Hampton Roads North Africa 22 Jun 43 Aug 43 1st Cav 26 Jun 43 San Francisco Australia 11 Jul 43 Jul 43 33d 7 Jul 43 San Francisco Hawaii 12 Jul 43 Jul 43
Appendix D-1--SHIPMENT OF DIVISIONS--(continued)
Year
DivisionaDate of Sailinga Port of Embarkationa Initial Destinationa Date of
Arrival
OverseasaCompletion
of Overseas
Movementsb6th 21 Jul 43 San Francisco Hawaii 29 Jul 43 Oct 43 3d Armd 5 Sep 43 New York U. K. 18 Sep 43 Oct 43 101st AB 5 Sep 43 New York U. K. 15 Sep 43 Oct 43 2d 8 Oct 43 New York U. K. 18 Oct 43 Oct 43 28th 8 Oct 43 Boston U. K. 18 Oct 43 Oct 43 8th 5 Dec 43 New York U. K. 15 Dec 43 Dec 43 88th 6 Dec 43 Hampton Roads North Africa 15 Dec 43 Jan 44 85th 24 Dec 43 Hampton Roads North Africa 2 Jan 44 Jan 44 4th Armd 30 Dec 43 Boston U. K. 11 Jan 44 Jan 44 38th 31 Dec 43 New Orleans Hawaii 17 Jan 44 Feb 44 1944 93d 11 Jan 44 San Francisco Guadalcanal 29 Jan 44 Mar 44 4th 18 Jan 44 New York U. K 29 Jan 44 Feb 44 2d Cav 4 Feb 44 Hampton Roads North Africa 28 Feb 44 Mar 44 30th 11 Feb 44 Boston U. K. 23 Feb 44 Feb 44 5th Armd 11 Feb 44 New York U. K. 23 Feb 44 Feb 44 6th Armd 11 Feb 44 New York U. K. 23 Feb 44 Feb 44 31st 13 Mar 44 Hampton Roads New Guinea 24 Apr 44 Apr 44 90th 23 Mar 44 New York U. K. 4 Apr 44 Apr 44 77th 24 Mar 44 San Francisco Hawaii 30 Mar 44 Apr 44 91st 3 Apr 44 Hampton Roads North Africa 21 Apr 44 May 44 83d 6 Apr 44 New York U. K. 16 Apr 44 Apr 44 79th 6 Apr 44 Boston U. K. 18 Apr 44 Apr 44 98th 13 Apr 44 Seattle Hawaii 19 Apr 44 May 44 11th AB 8 May 44 San Francisco New Guinea 29 May 44 Jun 44 35th 11 May 44 New York U. K. 27 May 44 May 44 7th Armd 6 Jun 44 New York U. K. 14 Jun 44 Jun 44 80th 1 Jul 44 New York U. K. 7 Jul 44 Jul 44 81st 3 Jul 44 San Francisco Hawaii 8 Jul 44 Jul 44 96th 23 Jul 44 San Francisco Hawaii 28 Jul 44 Aug 44 94th 6 Aug 44 New York U. K. 11 Aug 44 Aug 44 95th 10 Aug 44 Boston U. K. 17 Aug 44 Aug 44 17th AB 17 Aug 44 Boston U. K. 25 Aug 44 Aug 44 9th Armd 18 Aug 44 New York U. K. 1 Sep 44 Aug 44 26th 27 Aug 44 New York France 7 Sep 44 Sep 44 104th 27 Aug 44 New York France 7 Sep 44 Sep 44 44th 5 Sep 44 Boston France 15 Sep 44 Sep 44 102d 12 Sep 44 New York France 23 Sep 44 Sep 44 10th Armd 13 Sep 44 New York France 23 Sep 44 Sep 44 12th Armd 20 Sep 44 New York U. K. 2 Oct 44 Oct 44 84th 20 Sep 44 New York U. K. 1 Oct 44 Oct 44 92d 22 Sep 44 Hampton Roads Italy 16 Oct 44 Nov 44 11th Armd 29 Sep 44 New York U.K. 11 Oct 44 Oct 44 99th 29 Sep 44 Boston U. K. 11 Oct 44 Oct 44 a The dates and destinations, except where otherwise noted, refer to division headquarters. Subsequent movements are not shown.
b The dating is that given for "Completed Overseas Movement" in the chart, "Estimated Status of Divisions" as of 30 November 1945, as prepared by the Logistics Group, OPD.
e Organized and constituted in New Caledonia on 24 May 1942 from units of Task Force 6814, which sailed from New York on 22 January 1942 and reached New Caledonia on 12 March 1942.
Appendix D-2
ACTIVATION AND COMBAT PARTICIPATION
Division Date of
ActivationCombat Participation: Dec 41-Sep 44 Location
30 Sep 44Philippine Jun 1921a Philippines-Lost in combat, May 1942 (Captured) 24th Oct 1941b Central Pacific, New Guinea New Guinea 25th Oct 1941bb Central Pacific, Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons New Caledonia 34th Feb 1941c Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, No. Apenninesd Italy Americal May 1942e Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons Bougainville 27th Oct 1940c Western Pacific Espiritu Santo 41st Sep 1940c Papua, New Guinea New Guinea 32d Oct 1940c Papua, New Guinea New Guinea 5th Oct 1939 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 1st Armd Jul 1940 Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, No. Apenninesd Italy 37th Oct 1940c Northern Solomons Bougainville 1st May 1917 Algeria-French Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, No France, Rhineland Belgium 40th Mar 1941c Bismarck Archipelago New Britain 43d Feb 1941c Guadalcanal, Northern Solomons, New Guinea New Guinea 29th Feb 1941c Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Netherlands 3d Nov 1917 Algeria-Morocco, Tunisia, Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, So. France, Rhineland France 2d Armd Jul 1940 Sicily, Normandy, No. France, Rhinelandd Netherlands 9th Aug 1940 Tunisia, Sicily, Normandy, No. France, Rhinelandd Germany 36th Nov 1940c Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, So. France, Rhineland France 7th Jul 1940 Aleutians, Eastern Mandates Central Pac 82d AB Mar 1942 Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Normandy, Rhineland Netherlands 45th Sep 1940c Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Rome-Arno, Anzio, So. France, Rhineland France 1st Cav Sep 1921 New Guinea, Bismarck Archipelago Admiralties 33d Mar 1941c New Guinea New Guinea 6th Oct 1939 New Guinea New Guinea 3d Armd Aug 1941 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Germany 101st AB Aug 1942 Normandy, Rhineland Netherlands 2d Sep 1917 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Belgium 28th Feb 1941c Normandy, No. France, Rhineland . Luxembourg 8th Jul 1940 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Luxembourg 88th Jul 1942 Rome-Arno, No. Apennines Italy 85th May 1942 Rome-Arno, No. Apennines Italy 4th Armd Apr 1941 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 38th Jan 1941c New Guinea New Guinea 93d May 1942 New Guinea, Northern Solomons Treasury Is. 4th Jun 1940 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Belgium 2d Cav Feb 1943f (None) (Inactivated) 30th Sep 1940c Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Netherlands 5th Armd Oct 1941 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Luxembourg 6th Armd Feb 1942 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 31st Nov 1940c New Guinea Morotai 90th Mar 1942 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 77th Mar 1942 Western Pacific Guam 91st Aug 1942 Rome-Arno, No. Apennines Italy --553--
Appendix D-2--ACTIVATION AND COMBAT PARTICIPATION--(continued)
Division Date of
ActivationCombat Participation: Dec 41-Sep 44 Location
30 Sep 4483d Aug 1942 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland Luxembourg 79th Jun 1942 Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 98th Sep 1942 (None) Hawaii 11th AB Feb 1943 New Guinea New Guinea 35th Dec 1940c Normandy, No. France, Rhineland France 7th Armd Mar 1942 No. France, Rhineland Belgium 80th Jul 1942 No. France, Rhineland France 81st Jun 1942 Western Pacific Palaus 96th Aug 1942 (None) Central Pac 94th Sep 1942 Northern France France 95th Jul 1942 Northern France France 17th AB Apr 1943 (None) U.K. 9th Armd Jul 1942 (None) France 26th Jan 1941c Northern France France 104th Sep 1942 Northern France France 44th Sep 1940c (None) France 102d Sep 1942 (None) France 10th Armd Jul 1942 (None) France 12th Armd Sep 1942 (None) En route 84th Oct 1942 (None) En route 92d Oct 1942 (g) En route 11th Armd Aug 1942 (None) En route 99th Nov 1942 (None) En route c c. National Guard divisions inducted into the federal service.
d. Elements of the 9th, 34th, 1st Armored and 2d Armored saw action in the Algeria-French Morocco Campaign and elements of the 2d Armored also saw action in Tunisia.
e. The Americal Division was organized and constituted in New Caledonia,
f. The 2d Cavalry Division, first activated in April 1941, was partially disbanded in July 1942, fully reactivated in February 1943, and inactivated on 10 May 1944 in North Africa.
g. The 370th Regimental Combat Team of the 92d Division arrived in Italy in August and was participating in the Rome-Arno and the Northern Apennines Campaigns as of 30 September 1944.
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