TheMenWhoWoreTheT

Dedicated to exploring the legendary history of the 36th Infantry Division “T-Patchers” of the Texas Army National Guard and broader American military history.

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The battle raged intensely across the sector. American artillery devastated trapped German trains in the valley, while heavy counter-battery fire seriously wounded the 141st Infantry's Regimental Commander at his own CP.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/MFmDAJ8K66

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

A Medal of Honor on the Condillac slopes! 🎖️ On August 27, 1944, T/Sgt. Stephen R. Gregg of the 143rd Infantry single-handedly charged a German position, firing a machine gun from the hip to cover the rescue of seven wounded Americans.

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

As the infantry fought to secure the high ground, a captured prisoner revealed a chilling fact: the Germans had captured the operational instructions and were massing for a major breakthrough.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/mVF0sV2V6d

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The enemy has the playbook! ⚡ On August 26, 1944, the Battle of Montélimar escalated violently. Under the cover of night, German forces infiltrated American roadblocks near La Coucourde, destroying five tank destroyers in a brutal close-quarters clash.

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Behind the lines, logistical and medical units faced severe hazards. The 111th Medical Battalion was forced to relocate its clearing station under a heavy, sustained barrage of medium-caliber shells.

Read the full dispatch on the escalating Battle of Montélimar here! 👇
https://t.co/Kc1TAAUiuV

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The trap is tested! ⚡ On August 25, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division fought to sever the German retreat up the Rhone Valley. American armor collided with enemy columns in the streets of Grane, destroying an 88mm gun before withdrawing due to heavy rubble.

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

Near Condillac, the 141st Infantry absorbed the brunt of the German fury, withstanding massive assaults backed by 15 to 18 enemy tanks. The casualties mounted as the T-Patchers fought to keep the trap closed.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/TVBVt33Nhy

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

Holding the line! ⚡ On August 24, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division faced desperate German breakouts from the Montélimar pocket. To hold the dangerously thin flanks, combat engineers threw headquarters clerks and mechanics directly onto the firing line.

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Realizing they were cornered, the German Nineteenth Army launched massive, desperate counterattacks into the afternoon, attempting to overrun the American roadblocks and seize the high ground.

Read the full dispatch on the opening blows of Montélimar here! 👇
https://t.co/W7H6V8JHHa

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The trap is set! ⚡ On August 23, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division absorbed the armor of Task Force Butler and moved to completely sever the German escape route up the Rhone Valley.

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

To the west, American Sherman tanks positioned themselves on the high ground overlooking Highway 7 and opened fire on retreating convoys—officially springing the trap on the German Nineteenth Army.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/RAnZyfmRTv

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The Gallop to Grenoble! ⚡ On August 22, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division executed a 100-mile dash to liberate the Alpine city. Meanwhile, anti-aircraft gunners shot down an attacking fighter-bomber to protect the extended supply lines.

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Meanwhile, Task Force Butler executed a daring 67-mile push to establish roadblocks directly astride Highway 7, cutting off the main German escape route and setting the stage for the Battle of Montélimar.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/APQR6KcesM

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

Springing the trap on Highway 7! ⚡ On August 21, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division left the Riviera beaches behind. To maintain their blistering pace into the French interior, the 143rd Infantry hitched rides directly on the decks of M-10 Tank Destroyers.

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When retreating Germans blew a vital bridge over the Durance River, combat engineers ripped up 600 feet of railroad track to build an immediate vehicular bypass to keep the spearhead rolling.

Read the full dispatch on the northward dash here! 👇
https://t.co/T6MNPSdiTV

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

A 120-mile dash through the Alps! 🏔️ On August 20, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division was in an all-out sprint to catch the retreating German army. The 143rd Infantry packed onto artillery trucks and raced northward along the Route Napoléon.

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Tank destroyers blasted through German roadblocks under heavy anti-tank fire, and isolated supply trucks fought through ambushes to keep the spearhead armed. By 1720, the T-Patchers finally broke through to rescue 12 wounded paratroopers.

Read the full dispatch here! 👇
https://t.co/saHFFCBJcm

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The invasion starts to roll! ⚡ On August 19, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division pushed deeper into France. While artillery and logistics units staged in Draguignan, Task Force Eitt engaged in brutal house-to-house combat to capture the town of Callian.

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With morale soaring, the resting infantry regiments relayed that they were eager to march on Paris. By midnight, the division had officially captured over 3,000 German prisoners.

Read today's full dispatch on the mechanized breakout here! 👇
https://t.co/buoDXnzlOP

[TheMenWhoWoreTheT @MenWhoWoreTheT]

The northward dash begins! ⚡ On August 18, 1944, the 36th Infantry Division officially activated Task Force Butler. Serving as the armored tip of the spear, tanks and tank destroyers raced into the French mountains while paratroopers arrived to hold the rear lines.