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Home of the WWII 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Story of the WWII 808th Tank Destroyer Battalion

A synopsis of how the US became involved in WWII
The creation of Tank Destroyers is examined.
Training Tank Destroyers and the 808th TD Btn
A short history of the greatest army the world has ever known.
The 808th TD Btn was engaged in combat everyday they were online in Europe
      The 808 landed at Utah Beach in France
      The 808 goes into combat in Dieulouard, France
      Who the 808 fought with and what campaigns they were directly involved in.
      Headquarters for the 808th TD Btn in Europe
Victory in Europe
Every page in this section of the site is listed in outline form.
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808 TD Btn Attached to 80th Infantry

25 September - 21 December

Newspaper with war newsThe 808 tank destroyer battalion joined the 80th infantry on 25 September, 1944. The 80th infantry was already deep in combat and had been fighting for weeks to secure a large tract of land including many towns. Dieulouard France was on the fringe of this area and had already been secured.

The Division maintained an aggressive defense of positions  west of the Seille, and prepared for the Third Army sweep into the industrially vital Saar Basin. The attack jumped off on 8 November, they advancing through Delme Ridge, Faulquemont, and St. Avold to within 5 miles of Saarbrucken.

On 7 November they were at the Seille River and the Germans were on the other side. The Saar Basin was the goal. On the morning of the 8th, with terrible weather the Germans were sure the US would not want to face, we attacked.

By nightfall we were across the river and the high ground was firmly secured. This is just another example of Pattons' orders. Never let them rest. If you let them rest, they will come for you! Beat them down, never let up. (my wording of a much longer speech.)

On the 9th the pathway to the Saar Basin was within sight. It was a bald plateau, the Delme Ridge, 1380 feet above sea level and 4 miles long. Its importance was summarized by The New York Times: "The ridge was one of the most important objectives in Lt. Gen. George S. Patton's attack and just had to be taken if the Metz-Nancy line were to be straightened."

It did take a couple of days but by the 1600 on 11 November it was no longer held by the Germans, the great fortress of Metz had been taken.Somewhere near the front line

The Maginot Line was the next target for the 80th Infantry and the 808th as well as the other units with them. They fought their way into position and on the morning of 25 November it began.

A German commander, whose battalion was ground to bits soon after the assault got under way, described the attack as remarkable. He was amazed by the skillful utilization of tactical advantages, and the cooperation of infantry and armor with all supporting heavy weapons.

Fort Bambiderstroff was taken an hour and 15 minutes after the jump-off. Soon Forts Laudrefang, Teting Woods Kerfent, Bambesch, Kinseling, Einseling and Quatre Vents crashed.

The American grave yard in France where men lost in battle for the Maginot line are burried.Paced by 90mm guns, which shattered more than 13 reinforced pillboxes, the Maginot Line was ours on 26 November to stand before the industrial heart of the Saar Basin. (webmaster note: without this bit if history actually saying it, credit goes to  the 808th for securing the Maginot line. - The 808 were those 90mm guns taking out the pill boxes.)

On 22 December the 80th Infantry got to relax, but that was not helpful for the 808 TD as they had left the 80th and were heading straight for the Battle of the Buldge.

Next - The Battle of the Bulge

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