Sixth Vanguard
Board Flunky, aka Site Admin
As World War Two in Europe came to a close in the first days of May 1945, more than just the end of the war was at hand. For over six long years, the people of western Czechoslovakia had lived under Nazi tyranny - longer than any other people subjugated by Nazi Germany. Now, two corps of General George S. Patton, Jr.'s Third U.S. Army were in the Sudetenland region along the old 1937 German- Czechoslovak border. The German Army opposing them was literally melting away, as tens of thousands of its soldiers surrendered or deserted daily. Third Army was about to bring an end to western Czechoslovakia's long years of Nazi occupation and oppression.
Patton was anxious to continue advancing eastward. Repeatedly, he sought permission from Twelfth U.S. Army Group commander General Omar N. Bradley and from Eisenhower to advance into Czechoslovakia. He was denied by both. They were not unsympathetic to his requests, but the liberation of Czechoslovakia was a lower priority. In his memoirs, Bradley wrote about Patton's enthusiasm for Czechoslovakia:
Significant gains had been made by units of both V Corps and XII Corps. Greater advances were expected for the next day. Concerned about Patton's intentions, Bradley phoned him at 1930 that evening and reminded him to halt at the Karlovy Vary - Plzen -Ceske Budejovice stop line.
Following in the wake of the 4th Armored Division was the 90th Infantry Division. The infantry followed the tanks and consolidated their gains. The 90th Infantry Division committed two of its regiments. The 357th Infantry Regiment liberated 400 British prisoners of war and captured some 900 Germans. The 358th Infantry Regiment met and overcame some resistance in several towns and ended up accepting the surrender of over 1,100 Germans altogether.
While Third Army soldiers were headed relentlessly towards Prague, Bradley attempted to relay Eisenhower's halt orders to Patton. He finally reached Patton by phone after the latter returned from Sunday church services. "The halt line through Pilsen is mandatory, George, for V and XII Corps," Bradley informed him. He also ordered Patton not to send recon patrols any farther than five miles north-east of Plzen. Patton's objections were vigorous but futile.
Eisenhower ordered American forces to halt at the Karlovy Vary - Plzen - Ceska Budejovice line, but word of his orders was slow in reaching many units. As a result, advances were begun by the 90th Infantry Division on the morning of 7 May. According to Gen. Gay, the 90th Infantry Division went 10 miles beyond the line. Altogether, Third Army had liberated and was now occupying 3,485 square miles of western Czechoslovakia.
Excerpts from:
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The Liberation of Western Czechoslovakia 1945
by Bryan J. Dickerson.
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The figure, represents a Master Sergeant from the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th U.S. Infantry Division, �Tough Ombres� as he savors victory in Europe just minutes before 1201am May 9th 1945. He�s holding a bottle of wine given to him by one of his squad leaders to open up and toast to victory over the Axis.
Figure: Cory Walker, Sculpt, weathered and hands repainted with finger nails and weathered.
Uniform: M43 Jacket from Garrett White, washed, pockets modified and filled. The Master Sergeant stripes are custom made by myself, the 90th ID unit patch by DML. Shirt, from Bobby Dalton. M43 trousers from Bud, washed, heavily weathered with pastels and real mud. Boots NLM M43�s weathered and real mud added.
Gear: M1 helmet DML, converted into a swivel bale style, with NCO bar added onto the back. Repainted and weathered. Cartridge belt and suspenders from DML Infantry set, modifided with CVI lift dots on all pockets, canteen and first aid kit. Repainted and given a worn look. The suspenders, had the buckles sides bent in and end buckles installed and weathered.
The M1 rifle was repainted and washed to give a very worn look. The wine bottle is DML with a real foil applied over the cork.
Patton was anxious to continue advancing eastward. Repeatedly, he sought permission from Twelfth U.S. Army Group commander General Omar N. Bradley and from Eisenhower to advance into Czechoslovakia. He was denied by both. They were not unsympathetic to his requests, but the liberation of Czechoslovakia was a lower priority. In his memoirs, Bradley wrote about Patton's enthusiasm for Czechoslovakia:
Thus, on 4 May, Patton got his wish. At 1930, Bradley telephoned him with the news of Eisenhower's decision. Patton was to attack into western Czechoslovakia to the Karlovy Vary-Plzen-Ceske Budejovice line. He was also to be prepared to advance beyond that line upon further orders. To bolster his forces, Major General Clarence Huebner's V Corps was being transferred from First Army to Third Army. Bradley asked Patton when he could commence his attack. Patton replied that he could attack the following morning. "He [Bradley] was somewhat incredulous, but as we were pretty well used to each other, he believed me," Patton later wrote in his memoirs.
Significant gains had been made by units of both V Corps and XII Corps. Greater advances were expected for the next day. Concerned about Patton's intentions, Bradley phoned him at 1930 that evening and reminded him to halt at the Karlovy Vary - Plzen -Ceske Budejovice stop line.
Following in the wake of the 4th Armored Division was the 90th Infantry Division. The infantry followed the tanks and consolidated their gains. The 90th Infantry Division committed two of its regiments. The 357th Infantry Regiment liberated 400 British prisoners of war and captured some 900 Germans. The 358th Infantry Regiment met and overcame some resistance in several towns and ended up accepting the surrender of over 1,100 Germans altogether.
While Third Army soldiers were headed relentlessly towards Prague, Bradley attempted to relay Eisenhower's halt orders to Patton. He finally reached Patton by phone after the latter returned from Sunday church services. "The halt line through Pilsen is mandatory, George, for V and XII Corps," Bradley informed him. He also ordered Patton not to send recon patrols any farther than five miles north-east of Plzen. Patton's objections were vigorous but futile.
Eisenhower ordered American forces to halt at the Karlovy Vary - Plzen - Ceska Budejovice line, but word of his orders was slow in reaching many units. As a result, advances were begun by the 90th Infantry Division on the morning of 7 May. According to Gen. Gay, the 90th Infantry Division went 10 miles beyond the line. Altogether, Third Army had liberated and was now occupying 3,485 square miles of western Czechoslovakia.
Excerpts from:
----------------
The Liberation of Western Czechoslovakia 1945
by Bryan J. Dickerson.
[hr:1aa56da998]
[hr:1aa56da998]
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[hr:1aa56da998]
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The figure, represents a Master Sergeant from the 357th Infantry Regiment of the 90th U.S. Infantry Division, �Tough Ombres� as he savors victory in Europe just minutes before 1201am May 9th 1945. He�s holding a bottle of wine given to him by one of his squad leaders to open up and toast to victory over the Axis.
Figure: Cory Walker, Sculpt, weathered and hands repainted with finger nails and weathered.
Uniform: M43 Jacket from Garrett White, washed, pockets modified and filled. The Master Sergeant stripes are custom made by myself, the 90th ID unit patch by DML. Shirt, from Bobby Dalton. M43 trousers from Bud, washed, heavily weathered with pastels and real mud. Boots NLM M43�s weathered and real mud added.
Gear: M1 helmet DML, converted into a swivel bale style, with NCO bar added onto the back. Repainted and weathered. Cartridge belt and suspenders from DML Infantry set, modifided with CVI lift dots on all pockets, canteen and first aid kit. Repainted and given a worn look. The suspenders, had the buckles sides bent in and end buckles installed and weathered.
The M1 rifle was repainted and washed to give a very worn look. The wine bottle is DML with a real foil applied over the cork.