About this Unit
The 34th Tank Battalion was activated in 1941 as part of the U.S. Army’s armored force buildup during World War II. Assigned to the 5th Armored Division, the battalion landed in Normandy in July 1944 and quickly advanced across France, participating in the liberation of Paris and the subsequent push into Germany. Throughout the war, the 34th Tank Battalion distinguished itself in key engagements such as the Battle of the Falaise Pocket and the crossing of the Rhine River. After the war, the battalion was inactivated in 1945, but its legacy of armored warfare excellence remains an important part of U.S. military history.
Historical Facts
•
World War II Origins: The 34th Tank Battalion was activated on 15 June 1942 at Camp Chaffee, Arkansas, as part of the 5th Armored Division, known as the “Victory Division.”
•
Normandy Landings: The battalion landed in Normandy, France, in July 1944, shortly after D-Day, and saw first combat in late July during Operation Cobra, the breakout from the Normandy beachhead.
•
Rapid Advance: The 34th Tank Battalion was recognized for its rapid armored advances across France, at times covering over 100 miles in a single day during the pursuit of retreating German forces.
•
Liberation of Luxembourg: The unit played a key role in liberating Luxembourg, with its tanks being among the first Allied vehicles to enter the city on 10 September 1944.
•
Battle of the Bulge: During the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944, the battalion was involved in the defense and subsequent counterattack, helping to relieve the besieged town of Bastogne.
•
Crossing the Rhine: In March 1945, the battalion famously crossed the Rhine River at Wesel, Germany, contributing to the final push into the heart of Nazi Germany.
•
Decorations: The unit earned a Presidential Unit Citation for its extraordinary heroism during the campaign in France.
•
Equipment: The battalion was originally equipped with M4 Sherman tanks, which were crucial to its success in both offensive and defensive operations throughout Europe.
•
Post-War Service: After World War II, the 34th Tank Battalion was inactivated in 1945 but has been reconstituted in various forms in the Army Reserve and National Guard.
•
Legacy: Veterans from the 34th Tank Battalion have attended numerous reunions, sharing stories that reflect the battalion’s esprit de corps and significant contributions to Allied victory in Europe.