| 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion | |
|---|---|
| Active | December 16, 1941 – 1945 |
| Disbanded | 1945 |
| Country |
 United States |
| Allegiance |
 United States Army |
| Part of | Independent unit |
| Equipment | 3" anti-tank guns |
| Engagements | |
The 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion was a tank destroyer battalion of the United States Army active during the World War II.
The battalion was formed in March 1941 as the 5th Infantry Division Provisional Antitank Battalion, and on December 16 was redesignated as the 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion, in line with the reorganisation of the anti-tank force. It remained in the United States until 1944, when it was moved to the United Kingdom, deploying into Normandy in January 1945 equipped with towed 3" anti-tank guns.
It first saw action on February 16, attached to the 102nd Infantry Division, then crossed the Roer on February 24 and pushed towards the Rhine. It deployed into the Remagen bridgehead on March 12, and was pulled out on March 17, to be sent north to support British forces in Belgium. However, it was promptly reattached to the 17th Airborne Division, crossing the Rhine on March 25 as part of Operation Varsity. In April they fought in the capture of the Ruhr Pocket, and crossed the Elbe on May 1, near Lüneburg.
References[]
- 605 Tank Destroyer Battalion.
- Tankdestroyer.net (Web based United States tank destroyer forces information resource) Tankdestroyer.net
Bibliography[]
- Yeide, Harry (2007). The tank killers: a history of America's World War II tank destroyer force. Casemate. ISBN 978-1-932033-80-9.
Further reading[]
A short pamphlet on the history of the battalion (The 605th tank destroyer battalion) was published in 1945, written by John F. Vasco.
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The original article can be found at 605th Tank Destroyer Battalion and the edit history here.