USAREUR Units - 3rd Constabulary Brigade

For the balance of the year, the Regiment engaged in routine duties of patrolling and guard duty, interspersed with occasional practice alerts at potential trouble spots. Police and security methods were perfected and the Regiment developed its ability to carry out its missions. December saw the great majority of tactical troops, other than Constabulary, either inactivated or rendered ineffective by dispersal, and the full tactical burden became the responsibility of the Constabulary.

The first CP was established at Erlangen. Early 1947 found the Regiment dispersed as follows: Regimental Headquarters and Dog Troop of the 13th Squadron at Bayreuth, 6th Squadron at Coburg, 28th at Hof, and the 53rd at Schwabach. An account from the now defunct "Unicorn Free Press", the Regimental newspaper in those days, describe raids for singling out suspect SS Troopers, for apprehension of Germans impersonating American officers, and many incidents in the routine border patrols and check-point maintenance.

On February 21, the Regimental CP moved from Bayreuth to Bamberg, although driving conditions were miserable.

During the summer of 1947, Colonel Hamilton was relieved by Col. Warry J. Wheaton, who assumed command of the Regiment at Bamberg. Later, August 22, Regimental Headquarters moved to Schweinfurt.

Then on the 1st of September, 1948, Headquarters and Service Troop, with Band and Medical detachment, moved to Straubing, Germany. This was a permanent change of station and the units were based on Regensburg Military Post for supply and evacuation. Also, at this same time, 5 September, to be exact, the following units were relieved from their attachments and assigned to the Sixth Regiment:
25th Constabulary Squadron (now the 1st Battalion)
51st Constabulary Squadron (now the 2nd Battallion)
53rd Constabulary Squadron (now the 3rd Battalion)

On 20 December, 1948, the 6th Constabulary Regiment was redesignated the Sixth Armored Cavalry (US Constabulary) and Headquarters and Service Troop became Headquarters and Headquarters Company. At the same time, Service Company was activated. "Troops" became "Companies". and "Squadrons" became "Battalions".

1949 found the Regiment in the middle of reorganization from a Constabulary type unit to an Armored Cavalry Regiment. Vast amounts of equipment had to be turned in as excess, new equipment had to be drawn, all with personnel not experienced in the maintenance and repair of tanks and their guns. By the end of the first quarter of the year most of the re-equipping was finished, although some shortages continued to exist for the next year. During this year the Regiment participated in five large-scale field training exercises and maneuvers.

In October, Colonel Wheaton was relieved by Col. George A. Rehm. Under Col. Rehm's able guidance, the Regiment continued, through a rigorous training schedule and periodic maneuvers, to fully acquaint itself with its role as an armored outfit. Col. Rehm constantly stressed the importance of the Armored Cavalry as a mobile defense unit which had to be capable of defending a large area with relatively few men.

In June of 1951, Col. Rotbwell H. Brown assumed command. Col. Brown continued to train the Regiment for its combat mission. He continually pointed up the imminence of possible attack, and the necessity of being on the "alert" and constantly prepared to take to the field.

Until 21 November, 1951, the Regiment operated tactically under the 2nd Constabulary Brigade, Brig. Gen. George Smythe being the last CG.

After the arrival of VII Corps from the US, 2nd Brigade phased out. For a brief period the Regiment was administratively and operationly attached to the 43rd Inf. Div. However, when VII Corps became operational, the 6th was assigned direct to Corps.

For those of you unfamiliar with the training schedule for the last year, there is ample coverage elsewhere in this book. Suffice it to say that the Sixth of today is constantly and continuously preparing to uphold its long and glorious history.