104th Infantry Division

The 104th Infantry Division is nicknamed the “Timberwolves,” in reference to its region of deployment, the American Northwest, particularly Oregon. It was activated on September 15, 1942, at Camp Adair, under the command of Major General Gilbert R. Cook. On October 15, 1943, Major General Terry de la Mesa Allen Sr., who had previously commanded the 1st Infantry Division, the “Big Red One,” in North Africa and Sicily, resumed command. Training for the 104th Infantry Division lasted until February 1944.

The 104th Infantry Division arrived in France via the English Channel on September 7, 1944, and quickly headed to Belgium to take part in the Battle of the Scheldt, beginning on October 23, 1944, with the objective of clearing the port of Antwerp.

On November 16, the 104th Infantry Division took part in Operation Queen on the Siegfried Line and helped capture numerous strongholds west of the Roer River.

During the Battle of the Bulge, the division defended the Duren and Merken sector from December 15, 1944, to February 22, 1945, before crossing the Roer to capture Birkesdorf, Duren, and Huchem-Stammeln.

The 104th Infantry Division entered Cologne on March 5, then crossed the Rhine at Honnef on March 22, before assaulting the Remagen bridgehead.

The Timberwolves took part in the Battle of the Ruhr Pocket, where they captured several towns and helped liberate a concentration camp in Nordhausen. They then crossed the Sahle River and captured Halle on April 19, 1945.

Finally, the 104th Infantry Division made contact with the Red Army on April 26, 1945. It then returned to the United States on July 3, 1945.