Liberation of Rokycany, Czechoslovakia

1945

2^nd Infantry Division

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Beginning in November of 1942, the 2^nd Infantry Division would sail from New York on October 8, 1943 in route to Belfast, Northern Ireland, and then later to Wales to train and stage for the invasion of Europe.

“Operation Overlord”, the invasion of France by Allied Forces that began on June 6, 1944.

The Second Infantry Division landed on Omaha Beach on D-day plus one, June 7, 1944.

The 2^nd Infantry Division attacked across the Aure River, liberating the town of Trevieres on June 10th.

The Warrior Division “Second To None “ continued to fight through the hedgerows of Normandy, ending their participation in the campaign by seizing the heavily defended port city of Brest on September 18, 1944.

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With only having about a week of rest, the 2nd Infantry Division moved to their new defensive positions at St. Vith, Belgium on 29 September, 1944.

The 2nd Infantry Division entered Germany on October 3rd and was ordered on December 11, 1944 to attack and seize the Roer River dams. Having pierced the dreaded “Siegfried Line”, the Division was advancing when Nazi Field Marshal Gerd Von Rundstedt unleashed his powerful German offensive in the Ardennes.

In mid-December the 2^nd Infantry Division Indianhead’s were forced to withdraw to a defensive position near Elsenborn. Throughout the Battle of the Bulge, the 2nd Infantry Division held fast, preventing the enemy from seizing any key roads leading to the cities of Liege and Antwerp.

The 2nd Infantry Division went back on the attack on February 6, 1945. The Division reached the Rhine River on March 9th and crossed it on March 21, 1945.

The 2^nd Infantry Division was transferred from the First Army to General Patton's Third Army. The 2^nd Infantry Division, Indianhead’s would spent their last few days of the war in Europe with a dash across into Czechoslovakia, finally halting in the town of Plzen and the town of Rokycany located just outside of Plzen.

The town of Rokycany would become a meeting point between invading armies from the east and from the west. The Line of Demarcation in Rokycany would be to where soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division, first met the Russian Red Army on May 8, 1945, who represented the forces of Communism that they would face so often in the future, as adversaries during the Cold War.

TOWN OF ROKYCANY

2^nd Infantry Division, one of many liberating elements that made-up

General Patton’s Third Army.

Tanks entering into the town square of Rokycany.

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American and Russian soldiers

Children greeting soldiers their liberators from the 2^nd Infantry Division.

Children happily wanting to be with their new found friends of the American Army.

Little children giving the American soldiers freshly picked flowers.

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Russian Red Army soldiers with soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Division.

Line of Demarcation, on the outskirts of Rokycany, where soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Division, would meet the Russian Red Army.

(Left) Officers of the Army of Czechoslovakia from Praha and American U.S. Army during liberation ceremonies that were held in the town square of Rokycany.

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Ceremonial formation 2nd Infantry Division and Czechoslovakia soldiers.

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A mass gathering of the contingency forces from the American liberators with smiles of happiness knowing the war was over and freedom now for the citizens of Rokycany could now enjoy and for the American soldiers with high spirits knowing that in a short time they would be returning back to their homes in the United States.

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Presenting of Arms, and rifle salute during the liberation ceremony.

The American flag with 2nd Infantry Division colors with campaign streamers attached.

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2^nd Infantry Division Band.

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General George S. Patton arrival to the town square of Rokycany, salute to General Patton from members of the 8^th Armored Division, Security Police.

Major General, Ernest N. Harmon, XXII Corps Commander.

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Colonel Philip Dewitt Ginder, Commanding officer, 9th Infantry Regiment,

2nd Infantry Division
(January 18, 1945 - September 8, 1945)

General, George S. Patton moment of glory as he addresses the citizens and soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Division of the liberation of Rokycany.

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(Left) Major General, Ernest N. Harmon, XX II Corps Commander

(Middle) Major General, Walter M. Robertson.

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Major General, Ernest N. Harmon and Major General, Walter M. Robertson.

Colonel Philip Dewitt Ginder, Commanding officer, 9th Infantry Regiment.

2nd Infantry Division and Major General, Walter M. Robertson, Commander of the 2^nd Infantry Division, pinning medals on soldiers of the 2^nd Infantry Division.

General Patton viewing the crowd of the liberated citizens of Rokycany and soldiers that made up his Third Army, who helped to liberate Europe.

General Patton with signs of happiness upon his face by looking at the citizens who were now free from the terror of their oppressors, who could now have freedom that they had been denied by Nazi Germany.

On the sports field is the true ambassador of all wars of the friendship that is generated from the memories and cultures that is shared and will never be forgotten.

Acknowledgment:

Pictures provided from the historian archives of the Town of Rokycany

Special thanks to Jan Engler, Town of Rokycany, Czech Republic

Ivan Rollinger

Webmaster

Ing. Miroslav, Schubert

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