71st Infantry Division (France)

Formed in 1943 and ending in 1946 , the Division was initiated in efforts to provide support to the 100th Division in Ratswiller but did not see its first combat action until late 1945. Making their way through Nazi controlled Europe the Division would go from an occupational division to seeing its first combat. Having arrived in Le Havre, France on February 6, 1945, they made their way throughout the Eastern parts of Europe. Moving through Alsace-Lorraine, crossing the Rhine River, taking control of Cobart, Bayreuth, and Regensburg. Ending up in Austria they finalized their battle by facing opposing Soviet Union troops.

[1]

Known as a "liberating unit" the 71st Division became a sign of freedom

World War 2

The 71st Infantry Division was a "B" reserve division, a third-line formation with few regular soldiers on strength and older equipment. The division was mainly formed from Parisian reservists. Providing supplies for other divisions was their main purpose, however towards the end of the war they would face adversity.

During the Battle of France, the Division contained the following units:

  • 120th Infantry Regiment
  • 205th Infantry Regiment
  • 246th Infantry Regiment
  • 60th Reconnaissance Battalion
  • 38th Artillery Regiment

The division served on the Meuse sector, under the command of the French X Corps, part of the French 2nd Army. During the early phase of the Battle of France, the 71st Division was largely destroyed in the fighting along the Meuse between 14 May and 17 May 1940.

The division was disbanded on 21 May 1940 and the remaining forces were combined with the survivors of the 55th Infantry Division to form the 59th Light Infantry Division.

Purpose

Their main purpose was to supply other divisions with ammo, food, medical supplies, and fighting if need be. They traveled through Europe and became known as a "Liberating Unit". Setting free thousands of prisoners from Gunskirchen, a sub camp of the Mauthausen concentration camp in Austria.

Central Europe 1945

Notable Acts
  • Freed prisoners who were being tortured, starved, and living under inhumane conditions
  • Occupied defensive positions the Enns River and faced Soviet forces as well a day before the battle finalized
  • 62 days in combat
  • Became a symbol of freedom throughout all of Europe at the time

Nicknames
  • "The Red Circle"
  • "Liberating Unit"

Casualties
  • Battle casualties:1,114
  • Deaths in battle:279

[2]

https://encyclopedia.ushmm.org/content/en/article/introduction-to-the-holocaust |website=ushmm.org |publisher=Holocaust Encyclopedia [3] [4]

References
  1. "The 71st Infantry Division during World War II". encyclopedia.ushmm.org. Retrieved 2023-05-02.
  2. Printing Office, U.S. Government. "71st Infantry Division". history.army.div. The Army Almanac.
  3. Clinger, Fred; Johnston, Arthur; Masel, Vincent. "The History Of The 71st Infantry Division". digicom.bpl. United States Army.
  4. Almanac, The Army. "US Army Divisions". armydivs.com. The Army Almanac.
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