Route of the Golden Acorn Division France – Luxembourg – Belgium – Germany – and Czechoslovakia

Route map of the 87th Infantry Division across the European Theater of Operation.

Many of the initial troops comprising the 87th Infantry Division during World War II were just 18 years old, since the unit was formed after conscription age requirements were lowered in November of 1942. No matter – just as a small acorn can grow into a mighty oak (the inspiration behind the insignia), the division evolved into an effective fighting force in the European Theater of Operations.

This unit map showcasing the campaign of the 87th Infantry Division was published in June of 1945 by the 665th Engineer Topographic Battalion. The ‘Golden Acorns’ departed England in late 1944 and encountered over 150 days of combat during their march across France and into Germany. Several dated actions are noted throughout the image and a handful of small vignettes represent landmarks and the Siegfried Line. Tables in the lower left and upper right list the Army Corps assignments in chronological order and various units attached to the division, respectively.

The map is uncommon on the market and noted in only three examples in WorldCat – Wisconsin Veterans Museum, Texas A&M, and the Donovan Research Library. OCLC# 705942107.

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