US 893d Tank Destroyer Bn in Paris 1944

Cowboy6 · #1 (**permalink**) October 28th, 2009, 08:42 PM

I am trying to document the participation of the 893rd in the liberation of Paris. I have some undocumented information that the 893rd was with the US 4th Infantry Division when it was attached to the French 2nd Armored Division for the liberation, then rejoined the 4th ID after Paris was liberated. I need a reference of a book or document that contains this information.

Slipdigit · #2 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2009, 12:24 AM

I have a copy of a ETO Order of Battle prepared by Office of the Theater Historian in December 1945* that shows the 893rd as being attached to the 4th ID from 23 Aug to 29 Sep 1944. It does not mention any detachments to other units during this time period.

* I think this is the result of the good work by the men at HyperWar. Thanks!

kerrd5 · #3 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2009, 12:58 AM

4th INFANTRY DIVISION

Buten42 · #4 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2009, 01:21 AM

Cowboy, according to the U.S Army in WWII series, "Breakout and Pursuit", and referring to Stanton's "Order of Battle", the 893rd was attached to the 4th ID on August 23, 1944, the date of the liberation. The 4th ID was part of the liberation of Paris but not attached to the French 2nd AD--it appears that the US V Corp under General Gerow was in command of the 4th ID and also also the French 2AD. Eisenhower allowed the French 2AD to actually liberate the city to restore the pride of the French people who had been occupied for four years. The US Army in WWII series published by the Office of the Chief of Military History, Dept. of the Army is a very good refrence. Although it doesen't reference the 893rd specifically, it does say, "The 4th Division, reinforced by two tank destroyer battalions..." I assume one was the 893rd since Stanton showes it was attached to the 4ID at this time.

Buten42 · #5 (**permalink**) October 29th, 2009, 01:25 AM

Sorry guys, I didn't see any response when I started to reply--but looks like we all concur that the 893rd was attached to the 4th and not the French 2AD.

Cowboy6 · #6 (**permalink**) November 18th, 2009, 08:30 PM

Thanks for your responses, but I read somewhere that the 893rd was attached for a short period to the French 2d Armored Div. for the liberation of Paris. I continue to research this and have requested reference books thru interlibrary loan, but that takes time. The problem with researching separate battalions, especially tank and TD, is that they bounce around the battlefield and receive little attention are in division histories.