Operations of the 12th Armored Division 5 December 1944 to 5 May 1945

The route of the ‘Suicide Division’ across Europe during World War II.

This tremendous campaign chronicle details the movements of the 12th Armored Division across western Europe during the Second World War. The unit played a critical role during the offensive and was known as the ‘Suicide Division’ by the Germans for their stout defense during the final days of the war. The 12th was also known as one of only 2 armored divisions to include African-American soldiers and was the only unit to directly command members of the Wehrmacht (regular German army) during the Battle of Castle Itter.

The commemorative map begins at Le Havre in November of 1944, with the first combat occurring less than a month later. The circuitous route continues across France and into Germany and Austria, with numerous vignettes highlighting various elements of the campaign. The dash across France, capture of prisoners, caring for the wounded, and the experience of shellfire are all captured with different illustrations. The map was prepared by Sergeants Donald Rothenberg and George Grimshaw and published in Germany in 1945.

Distributed by the G-3 Information and Education Section of the 12th Armored Division. This particular example has been annotated by a previous owner and veteran, who indicated the bivouac areas with triangles and the hardest fights with ‘X’s.’