Final Periodic Report 0812008 May 45 to 090018 May 45 [Third U.S. Army]

Interesting chart showing the geographic composition of the U.S. Third Army on V-E Day.

The memorialization of victory for United States armed forces during WWII is often complicated by the complexity of army organization. This chart attempts to clear up any confusion about the structure of the United States Third Army on V-E day (May 8) by showing each corps and its supporting divisions in their relative geographic location.

Imagine a map of Germany divided into four quadrants. The V Corps, comprised of five divisions, was in one sector from Pilsen to Prague, whereas the III Corps and its three divisions were deployed in the “west” near Salzburg. Although each unit is labeled individually, their respective emblems also provide an element of diversity and allude to the varied makeup of each army corps.

The image was drawn by Whitmer – Wisehaupt – Riportella, presumably the last names of three American soldiers, and signed in the lower right. Published in 1945 by the 652nd Engineer Topographic Battalion.