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83rd Infantry Division
Thunderbolt Division
Looking for more information from military/civilian personnel assigned to or associated with the U.S. Army in Germany from 1945 to 1989. If you have any stories or thoughts on the subject, please contact me.

Division History (Occupation)

329th Inf Regt

330th Inf Regt

331st Inf Regt

Div Arty


 
Division History (Occupation Period: 9 May 1945 - Late 1945)
1945
 

329th Infantry

330th Infantry

331st Infantry
 
 

83rd Infantry Division Sector, 1945
 
(Source: The Thunderbolt across Europe)
The first area occupied and governed by the 83rd Infantry Division for any length of time was located in northern Germany and included Landkreis BRAUNSCHWEIG. Near the southern border of its area was BAD HARZBURG, where the Div established its CP.

About a month after V-E Day, the Div moved to Bavaria (Passau) where it took over military government of an area previously controlled by the 5th Inf Div.

After a few weeks, the 102nd Inf Div moved into the area with the 83rd and relieved that div of occupational responsibility, so that it could devote full time to training (at the former German training area at GRAFENWÖHR) as a Category II unit.

After the surrender of Japan, the Div returned to the Div area to take up once again its former mission of military government.

(Readjustment: In Aug, high-point vets were transferred from the 83rd Inf Div to the 99th Inf Div.)

(Readjustment: In ?, high-point vets were transferred from the 83rd Inf Div to the 8th Armd Div.) .
 

(Source: G-3 SITREP 1029, TUSA)
On July 14 1945, 102nd Inf Div assumed responsibility for former 83rd Inf Div area, incl LK Pfarrkirchen, Griesbach, Passau, Wegscheid, WOLFSTEIN, GRAFENAU, REGEN, DEGGENDORF and VILSHOFEN. The 405th Inf Regt relieved the 331st Inf Regt and assumed control of LK Pfarrkirchen, Griesbach; the 406th Inf Regt relieved the 330th Inf Regt and assumed control of LK GRAFENAU and WOLFSTEIN; the 407th Inf Regt relieved the 329th Inf Regt and assumed control of REGEN and DEGGENDORF. 771st TD Bn relieved the 737th Tk Bn and assumed control of LK VILSHOFEN. 102nd Inf Div Arty relieved the 83rd Inf Div Arty and assumed control of LK PASSAU and WEGSCHEID.

Source: G-3 SITREP 9, TUSA)
On Aug 1 1945, 83rd Inf Div Arty commenced movement to GRAFENWÖHR training area.

(Source: G-3 SITREP 19, TUSA)
On Aug 11 1945, CP of 83rd Inf Div Arty moved to vic of VILSECK. On Aug 10, 329th Inf completed move to GRAFENWÖHR training area and CP of 329th Inf Regt moved to vic of VILSECK.

(Source: G-3 SITREP 29, TUSA)
On Aug 20 1945, 329th Inf Regt completed move to DEGGENDORF area and CP opened at DEGGENDORF.

(Source: G-3 SITREP 30, TUSA)
On Aug 22 1945, 83rd Inf Div assumed responsibility for former 102nd Inf Div area. 83rd Inf Div Arty completed move to PASSAU. Area of occupation:

331st Inf (relieved 405th Inf): LK EGGENFELDEN, PFARRKIRCHEN, GRIESBACH.
330th Inf (relieved 406th Inf): LK GRAFENAU, WOLFSTEIN.
329th Inf (relieved 407th Inf): LK REGEN, DEGGENDORF.
Div Arty (relieved 102nd Arty): LK PASSAU, WEGSCHEID, SK PASSAU.
803rd TD Bn (relieved 771st TD Bn): LK VILSHOFEN.

 
(Source: XII Corps, Spearhead)

In October it became necessary to nominate one of the XII Corps divisions to relieve the 26th Inf Div in the U.S. Zone in Austria. Since the 83rd was the most accessible and it had already been determined that the 4th Armd Div was to occupy the Corps zone in toto, the 83rd Inf Div was selected for the relief. The date set for the relief of the 83rd and assumption of responsibility by the 2nd Cav and 4th Armd was Oct 23.

Beginning Oct 25, the 83rd was to commence its relief of the 26th Inf Div in Austria.

On Oct 23, relief of 83rd Inf Div by 4th Armd Div and 2nd Cav Gp completed.
Occupation Duty in Austria
 

(Source: Mission Accomplished)
The 83rd Inf Div was released by Third Army to Austria on Oct 25, 1945.

 

(Source: The Establishment and Operations of the U.S. Constabulary)
 On Nov 28 1945, USFA attached the 4th Cav Gp, less one troop to the 83rd Inf Div and authorized it to employ this force as a District Constabulary. This group comprised the 4th and 24th Cav Recon Sq (Mech), one troop of the 24th being attached to the Vienna Area Command as a DC for that area.
83rd Thunderbolt - Some of the issues published while in Germany

July 14, 1945



 
 
ISSUES IN COLLECTION
DATE ISSUE HQS
  Vol. 3, 1 - 6 ??? missing
Jun 16, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 7 Passau
Jun 23, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 8 Passau missing
Jun 30, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 9 Passau
July 7, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 10 Passau missing
Jul 14, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 11 Passau
Jul 21, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 12 Passau
Jul 28, 1945 Vol. 3, No. 13 Passau
  Vol. 3, No. 14-? Passau missing
 

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