TankDestroyer.net

SEEK * STRIKE * DESTROY

1st Tank Destroyer Group

Unit History:  Unit was activated at Camp Bowie, TX, on Mar. 30, 1942.  The unit moved to Camp Sutton, NC, on May 8, 1942, and then to Fort Bragg, NC, twenty days later on the 28th.  They arrived at Indiantown Gap Military Reservation in PA on Aug, 3, 1942, and shipped from the New York Port of Embarkation on Aug. 19, 1942.  They arrived in England on Aug. 31, 1942, and then shipped to North Africa, landing on Jan. 16, 1943.  From there they traveled to Italy on Oct. 28, 1943, but were recalled on Nov. 18 of the same year.  The unit returned to England, landing on Dec. 9, 1943, and then shipped to France, landing on June 13, 1944.  They supported the VII Corps and acted as their Traffic Control Section.  The unit moved into Belgium on Sep. 8, 1944, and then into Germany on Sep. 17, 1944.  They moved back into Belgium on Dec. 23 and then back into Germany on Feb. 6, 1945.  Unit was deactivated on Nov. 5, 1945.  Attached/Supported: II and VII Corps and provided Rear Area security of the ETO (European Theater of Operations).  Information gathered from WWII Order of Battle by Shelby L. Stanton.

Combat Equipment:  N/A

Commanding Officers:  1st Lt. Donald W. Kaspervik (3/30/42); Col. Burrowes G. Stevens (5/18/42); Lt. Col. Allen H. Foreman (3/1/43); Maj. John W. Stark was Commander on 7/45.

Code Name/s:  Jackson

Campaign Credits:   Tunisia………………………Nov. 17, 1942 to May 13, 1943

                                 Naples – Foggia……………Sept. 9, 1943 to Jan. 21, 1944

                                 Normandy…………………..Jun. 6, to Jul. 24, 1944

                                   Northern France……………Jul. 25, to Sept. 14, 1944

                                 Rhineland……………………Sept. 15, 1944 to Mar. 21, 1945

                                 Ardennes-Alsace…………..Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan 25, 1945

                                 Central Europe……………..Mar. 22, to May 11, 1945

Awards:  None

Location August 1945:  Marburg, Germany

Additional Information/Materials:

1.)  Photo Gallery

2.)  Unit Histories – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.

           Unit History – 1942…………….5 Pages (Includes Roster)

           Unit History – 1943…………..11 Pages (Includes Roster, Casualties and Awards)

           Unit History – 1944…………..20 Pages (Includes Casualties and Awards)

           Unit History – 1945…………..15 Pages (Includes Casualties and Awards)

3.)   Combat Reports – from the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.

           Mar. 17-Apr 11, 1943………..12 Pages

              June 12-30, 1944…………………3 Pages

              Jul. 1-31, 1944…………………….4 Pages

              Aug. 1-31, 1944…………………..6 Pages

              Sep. 1-30, 1944…………………..4 Pages

              Oct. 1-31, 1944……………………3 Pages

              Nov. 1-30, 1944…………………..3 Pages

              Dec. 1-31, 1944…………………..4 Pages

              Jan. 1-31, 1945……………………3 Pages (Includes Casualties and Awards)

              Feb. 1-28, 1945…………………..2 Pages

              Mar. 1-31, 1945…………………..3 Pages

              Apr. 1-30, 1945…………………..3 Pages (Includes Awards)

              May 1-9, 1945…………………….3 Pages (Includes Awards)

              May 9-June 30, 1945……………4 Pages (Includes Awards)

              July 1-31, 1945……………………3 Pages

4.)  Map of Stations – A large map of the path the unit took while overseas.  The map includes a listing of the towns and dates the unit was stationed there.  The map was provided courtesy of Cathy Livingston.

5.)  Miscellaneous Documents – From the Dwight D. Eisenhower Presidential Library, Museum and Boyhood Home, Abilene, Kansas.

           Troop Assignment, Aug. 10, 1943……………….2 Pages

               Troop Assignment #147, June 12, 1945……..18 Pages