
ATTACHMENTS:
The 756th Tank Battalion was attached to the 3rd Infantry Division for most of the Second World War. However, as an “independent” tank battalion, the unit was often detached and reassigned to other commands as determined by shifting battlefield conditions. The most notable reattachment for the 756th Tank Battalion occurred during the Battle of Cassino in early 1944. For this engagement, the 756th Tank Battalion was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division. During the march on Rome in May of 1944, the 756th Tank Battalion attached to various French Colonial units, and during the drive on German in February 1945, the battalion was attached for two weeks to the 103rd Infantry Division.
The following is a listing of attachments for the 756th Tank Battalion–including all divisional, provisional, corps, and army attachments. The list was transcribed from a 756th Tank Battalion Headquarters document dated May 8th, 1945 and titled: “Attachments of the 756th Tank Battalion.” A copy of this document was obtained from Greig Lewis, son of French Lewis.
French Lewis was one of the original officers assigned to the Battalion in June 1941, served most of the war as company commander of A and C Companies, and finished the war as the Battalion S-3 (Operations Officer).
The following is a verbatim transcription:
THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION
4 August 1942 – 7 May 1943
1 June 1944 – 1 June 1944
16 June 1944 – 6 December 1944
16 December 1944 – 21 February 1945
4 March 1945 – 7 May 1945
THIRTY FOURTH INFANTRY DIVISION
2 October 1943 – 19 October 1943
10 January 1944 – 24 March 1944
FORTY FIFTH INFANTRY DIVISION
18 September 1943 – 18 September 1943
20 September – 1 October 1943
EIGHTY FIFTH INFANTRY DIVISION
5 April 1944 – 20 May 1944
EIGHTY EIGHTH INFANTRY DIVISION
1 June 1944 – 2 June 1944
5 June – 9 June 1944
ONE HUNDRED THIRD INFANTRY DIVISION
6 December 1944 – 15 December 1944
22 February 1945 – 3 March 1945
1st ARMORED DIVISION
2 June 1944 – 5 June 1944
10 June 1944 – 15 June 1944
1st DMI (French)
20 May 1944 – 22 May 1944
3rd DIA (French)
20 May 1944 – 22 May 1944
4th DIA (French)
22 May 1944 – 31 May 1944
3rd SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE
4 June 1944 – 4 June 1944
2nd SPECIAL SERVICE FORCE
4 June 1944 – 4 June 1944
91st RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON
5 June 1944 – 10 June 1944
ALLIED FORCE HEADQUARTERS
16 June 1944 – 17 August 1944
I ARMORED CORPS
8 May 1943 (I Armored Corps was re-designated to:) –
SEVENTH ARMY
– 10 July 1943
18 August 1944 – DATE
FIFTH ARMY
11 July 1943 – 15 June 1944
IV CORPS
20 September 1943 – 9 January 1944
18 August 1944 – 15 December 1944
19 February 1945 – 4 March 1945
II CORPS
10 January 1944 – 24 March 1944
1 June 1944 – 15 June 1944
FIRST FRENCH ARMY
16 December 1944 – 18 February 1945
XV CORPS
5 March 1945 – 21 April 1945
29 April 1945 – DATE
XXI CORPS
25 April 1945 – 28 April 1945
On 24 October 1942, Companies A and C, with a section of the Assault Gun Platoon, a section of Mortar
Platoon, of Headquarters Company, and a section of the Medical Detachment departed for Overseas Service.
Troops landed at FEDALA BAY, FRENCH MOROCCO on 8 November 1942, participating in the amphibious
landing and advance on the city of CASABLANCA, FRENCH MOROCCO.
On 14 January 1943, Headquarters and Headquarters Company (-), Company B, Service Company, and
Medical Detachment (-) departed for Overseas Service. Troops landed at CASABLANCA, FRENCH
MOROCCO on 25 January 1943.
On 15 September 1943, the Battalion loaded on LST’s at BIZERTE, TUNISIA and arrived at PAESTUM,
ITALY on 17 September 1943. The Battalion was committed on 18 September 1943 with elements of the 45th
Infantry Division.
During the period 9-13 August 1944 the Battalion loaded on LCI’s, LCT’s LST’s and transports at
POZZOULI, ITALY in preparation for the amphibious assault of the Southern Coast of FRANCE. Troops landed
at ST. TROPEZ and CAVALAIRE, FRANCE on 15 August 1944.
