Campaigns of the 36th Infantry Division in World War II

A colorful pair of maps highlighting the route of the “Lonestar Division” through Italy, France, Germany, and Austria.

The 36th Infantry Division was comprised of Texas National Guard units, which earned its men the nickname “T-Patchers,” “The Texas Army,” or the “Panther Division.” This pair of maps, likely produced in Europe by an engineering battalion attached to the 36th, shows the division’s route through various theaters in Europe.

The first sheet depicts the landings in Italy outside Paestum and the progress made up the “boot” of the country. Bright illustrations show highlights and memorable features of the campaign, including the Axis surrender at Rome, terrible artillery fire at the Battle of Monte Cassino, and impoverished children asking for gum and chocolate. The emblem of the unit, as well as its parent army (The U.S. Fifth) can be seen in the upper right.

The second map uses a similar style to convey the action that took place in the European Theater across France, Germany, and Austria. Drawings adjacent to the route show an emotional mix of features from the campaign; including German frauleins, alcohol of all kinds, Swiss watches, Nazi Army Group B “in the bag” and a terrible scene from Dachau concentration camp outside Lansberg. Total casualties (27,343) and prisoners taken (56,375) are noted, and the same emblems of the 36th and 5th Army can be seen crushing a swastika in the upper right.

This pair of maps provides a comprehensive summary of the actions of “The Texas Army,” but it’s important to note that the image only tells a part of the story. For example, the 36th landed in North Africa in 1943 and was supposed to partake in the invasion of Sicily, but was passed over by Patton due to the unit’s inexperience. Upon arriving in Italy, Fifth Army leader Major General Mark Clark was soundly criticized for his decision to make several near-suicidal frontal attacks against German defensive emplacements, but these battles are depicted in the same way as Allied victories.

Similar debacles occurred in Europe, such as when the 1st Battalion of the 141st Infantry Regiment was surrounded in the Vosges Mountains by the Wehrmacht. Hundreds of casualties were suffered trying to rescue the “Lost Battalion,” including many from the 442nd Regimental Combat Team. This group of second-generation Japanese Americans would become the most decorated unit in the history of the United States Army, as well as made “Honorary Texans” for their role in attempting to recover the Lost Battalion.