“Lightning Strikes Twice” 78th Infantry Division

WWII operations of the 78th Infantry “Lightning” Division.

In WWI, the 78th Infantry Division was said to streak across France like a bolt of lightning, leaving behind a field of blood. This earned the unit its nickname and insignia design, seen at the bottom of this sheet. The symbols of units comprising the division make up the remainder of the border, along with the title and campaign ribbons of both World Wars.

A basic, but boldly colored operational map and accompanying narrative are the central elements of the page and detail the action of the 78th across the European theater from late 1944 to mid-April, 1945. Highlights include smashing the Siegfried Line (Dec. 13th), crossing the Roer (Feb. 28th), and cleaning out the Ruhr Pocket (April 6th).

The map was drawn by R. Ulrich, prepared by the 303rd Engineer Combat Battalion, and printed in Germany by Otto Schmelz U. Co. Noted in only two examples in WorldCat (Wisconsin Veterans Museum and Texas A&M), though seen occasionally on the market. OCLC# 608692542.