Division History and Bibliography

The 83rd Infantry Division Inc.

THUNDERBOLT

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83rd Division History

The 83rd Infantry Division was reactivated in 1942. After initial training in the United States, it was shipped to England and shortly after D-Day entered action in Normandy. It participated in action capturing St. Malo. In the dash across France, the division's Infantry and Reconnaissance Platoon captured approximately 20,000 German troops. After the dash across France, the 83rd participated in the battles in the Huertgen Forest and in the Ardennes (the Battle of the Bulge). The 83rd was involved in an attempt to capture a Rhine River bridge through deceiving the bridge guards (it almost worked), and then dashed across Germany. In April, 1945, the 83rd crossed the Elbe River with the 2nd Armored Division.

This is a VERY brief history of the 83rd Infantry Division. PLEASE help me to make this a more thorough account of the division's history.

Short Bibliography

Blumenson, Martin. The Duel for France: 1944. Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company, 1963.

This book talks about the Battle of France. Several references are made to the campaign of the 83rd Infantry Division.

Blumenson, Martin. United States Army in World War II: Breakout and Pursuit. Washington, DC: Government Printing Office, 1978.

This book, written by the United States Army after the war, covers the Normandy breakout and race across France. The movements and battle of the 83rd Infantry Division are covered in detail. Areas covered in particular are the Brittany, Loire, and Cotentin parts of the campaign and the division's role in Operation Cobra.

Davis, Franklin M., Jr. Across the Rhine. Chicago: Time-Life Books, 1980.

This book details the 83rd Division's race to the Rhine and the Elbe Rivers in Germany. Included are detailed descriptions of an attempt to capture a Rhine bridge by 83rd Division members in disguise. The crossing of the Elbe river by the 83rd Infantry and 2nd Armored Divisions is also discussed in great detail.

83d Infantry Division History, 1917-1962. 83d Infantry Division Information Office: Washington, 1962.

Brief historical book on the division from its inception in World War I to its service during the early years of the Cold War.

The 83rd Infantry Division in Europe Objective Berlin. Washington: Department of the Army, 1993.

A videocassette that recounts the 83rd Infantry’s Omaha Beach landing, relief of the 101st Airborne, and Normandy fight. Also recounts the taking of St. Malo, the Loire surrender of 20,000 German troops, the Battle of the Bulge, and the crossing of Germany by the division.

Hayhow, Ernie. 1986 Reprint with Additional Information of The Thunderbolt Across Europe: A History of the 83d Infantry Division, 1942-1945. Hillsdale, MI: Ferguson Communications, 1986.

Reprint of a 1945 edition of the book with maps, illustrations, and statistics on the 83rd Infantry Division’s march across France, the Low Countries, and Germany.

London, J. Phillip. Six Days in July 1944 : The Story of Gordon Leigh Phillips, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army, Company A, 1st Battalion, 330th Infantry Regiment, 83rd Division, the Battle for Normandy, France, in World War II : Including the Phillips Family History. Baltimore: Gateway Press, 1995

Story of a young officer in the 83rd Infantry Division during the Battle of Normandy.

Miller, Russell. The Resistance. Chicago: Time-Life Books, 1979.

This book tells about the different Resistance groups in occupied Europe in World War II. The surrender of 20,000 German troops to the 83rd Division's is told from the point of view of the Maquis.

Spandau, Irwin B. The Lost Diary; A True War Story. Chapel Hill : Professional Press, 1993.

A brilliant first-hand account of the invasion at Omaha Beach at D-Day & the subsequent experiences of an American soldier. The author, a member of the 83rd Infantry Division, relates his experiences through the form of a diary written at the time.

The Thunderbolt Across Europe...A History of the 83rd Infantry Division, 1942-1945. Munich, Germany: 83rd Division, I. & E Section, 1945.

Book with maps, illustrations, and statistics on the 83rd Infantry Division’s march across France, the Low Countries, and Germany written shortly after the end of the war.