The "Break Through Division"

The 4th Armored Division Historical Group will be rolling into the village sometime this afternoon or evening to bivouac on the grounds of the Wellsville Historical Society. This historical WWII group is a living history of the men and the equipment used by actual soldiers doing their duty in Europe. They will have the display set up both Saturday & Sunday this week-end at the museum. On Saturday, 13 June, at 1300 hours, there will be a shooting demonstration of all kinds of weapons used in that war. That's 1 P.M. for you civilian types! The encampment on display will use authentic tentage, weapons, vehicles and equipment used in WWII.

The 4th Armored Div. was activated April 15, 1941, at Pine Camp, NY. After over two years of organizing and training all over the country the division was ordered overseas in November, 1943. They shipped out of Boston Harbor in December, 1943, bound for England.

Their commanding officer was Major General John S. Wood who refused to let the division adopt any kind of nickname. He felt the division's actions and combat record would be name enough.

The 4th landed on Utah Beach in Normandy on July 11, 1944, following the D-day invasion. They were in their first battle action by July 18, only seven days later. Eventually they were pulled back to regroup and await for Operation Cobra to begin. They were part of General George Patton's 3rd Army and Cobra was the many pronged push to break through the remaining German lines.

At 0500 hours on July 28, 1944, they moved out and from that time on the only thing that held them up was gasoline. At times instead of waiting for fuel supplies to reach them they were "requisitioning" gas from captured German vehicles of all kinds. In seven weeks since landing at Normandy the 4th had thrown a 700 mile right hook across the heart of France capturing and pushing back the Germans. Their advance was so rapid that many times other grunts slugging along would inquire "who the hell are you guys?" They only answered back they were "Georgie's boys". Remember the movie Patton?

Eventually the 4th went on to drive through the Siegfried line on to the Rhine and Main Rivers in Germany earning the unofficial nickname "The Break Through Division". Their drive finally took them into Czechoslovakia. The 4th was deactivated April 26, 1946, at Camp Kilmer, NJ, and this is the division the 4th Armored Historical Group is representing right here in the ville this week-end. It's a tribute to not only the 4th but to all men and woman who gallantly took part in that war. It's a living history that you won't want to miss.

The display is open to the public and free of admission. Saturday times are from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. with the shooting demonstration at 1 P.M. Sunday hours are from 10 A.M. - 4 P.M. The museum is located on Riverside just behind the church at 10th & Main in Wellsville. The museum will also be open during those times and there might be a Power Point presentation with pictures for different wars running on the monitor inside.

See you there...

ole nib