2-24-19 Garand Picture of the Day

[M1903Guy]

Based on the M3's bumper markings: The unit is 9th Armored Division (9 + Triangle), 27th Armored Infantry Battalion (27+I). Looking at the road sign "Dierdorf 20 KM" Dierdorf is in the Rhineland. The 9th operated in the Rhineland throughout the month of March 1945. On March 25th, 1945 they reported their HQ as being located in Neuwied. Neuwied is roughly 20 KMs from Dierdorf so I am fairly comfortable at placing this photo in / around Neuwied, late March 1945.

As a side note, M3 Half-Tracks belonging to Company A, 27th Armored Infantry Battalion, were among the first elements of the 9th Armored Division to attempt to force a crossing of the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen when it was captured on March 7th, 1945. Remagen is approx. 33 KMs from Neuwied. These men have been busy.

The 9th Armored division's lead elements first entered combat on 23 October 1944. The division spent 91 days in combat and suffered 5,411 total casualties (KIA,WIA,MIA, etc) or 50.7% of it's strength. They are credited with taking some 25,628 prisoners during that time.

Side Note: The big "Opfere" sign with the Nazi Eagle. Opfere means "sacrifice" in German.