Movements of 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion…Part of 5th Armored Division

Scarce map detailing the final months of the war in Europe for the 71st FA Battalion.

Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel J.B. Washburn, the 71st Armored Field Artillery Battalion was assigned to the 5th Armored Division for its final drive across Germany. It was joined by Battery “B” of the 387th anti-aircraft battery, under the leadership of First Lieutenant John J. Quigly.

The last stages of their war, between February 8 and May 9 (V-E Day) are shown on this map, drawn by Technician Lawrence D. Bennett. The chronological movement of the units can be traced from the Belgian border to the banks of the Elbe River.

Several annotations provide interesting, and sometimes amusing, contextual information. Examples include a story of a reconnaissance plane duel with pistols and a dark joke about the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

A note indicating the 71st had the closest American Command Post to Berlin reflects the competitive nature of the drive east, and the ultimate disappointment when Eisenhower left the city to the Red Army.