"Nothing in hell must stop the Timberwolves" is the slogan of the 104th Division. Nothing in Germany did. From the moment it went into action as part of the Canadian First Army in Belgium on October 23, 1944, the “Timberwolf” Division compiled an impressive record of wartime achievements. Under the command of Major General Terry de la M. Allen, already famous for his leadership of the 1st Infantry Division in North Africa, the 104th had scarcely arrived in Europe when it began to make news, by its realistic training in forward areas which had been cleared of the enemy only a short time before. In Holland, the Division spearheaded the drive of the British I Corps across the Mark River and to the Maas River. Both British and Canadian forces expressed official admiration of the courage and enthusiasm of the Timberwolves.
Moving over to the American First Army front, the 104th relieved the 1st Infantry Division at Aachen and, on November 16, jumped off toward the Roer River. In ensuing battles, it distinguished itself by the effectiveness of its night operations. It surprised its own superiors by the speed with which it conquered the great industrial cities of Eschweiler, Weisweiler, and Stolberg, prompting Lieutenant General J. Lawton Collins, commander of the VII Corps, to pay tribute to the “leadership, dash and sound training of the division.”
On its way to the Roer, the 104th forced a crossing of the Inde River, in a brilliant series of night attacks that confused the Germans and upset their defensive plans. In a few days, the Timbervvolves had cleared the entire sector assigned to them between the Inde and the Roer, and had won further credit for themselves by their skill in taking Lammersdorf, Inden, and Lucherberg.
During Rundstedt’s breakthrough, the 104th occupied a defensive sector on the Roer, opposite Düren, remaining there until nearly the end of February, with the principal mission of preventing the Germans from advancing again in Aachen. That job completed, the Division headed toward Cologne, seizing Düren and Huchem-Stammeln on the way, and taking their main objective on March 7. Once again the Timberwolves’ prowess at night featured their progress.
Fifteen days later, the 104th crossed the Rhine at the Remagen Bridgehead, and in nine days advanced a total of 193 miles east and north, ending up at Paderbom. Linking up with the 3d Armored Division there, the 104th halted briefly and then started off on anôther quick advance, this time covering 175 miles in 15 days and culminating at the Mulde River. On its way the 104th crossed the Weser and Saale Rivers, and captured Halle, Bitterfeld and Delitzsch.
Finally, just before V-E Day, the 104th linked up with the Russians along the Elbe River.
From Fighting Divisions, Kahn & McLemore, Infantry Journal Press, 1945-1946.
"Timberwolf Division"
The division insignia is a gray Timberwolf's head on a balsam green disc. It was designed by Charles Livingston Bull, artist and authority on wild life, and represents the northwest. It was in this section of the country that the 104th conducted its training in 1942-43 when it was activated.
Motto: "Nothing in Hell Can Stop the Timberwolves"
COMMAND AND STAFF
Commanding General
| 7 Sep 44 |
Maj. Gen. Terry de la Mesa Allen |
Assistant Division Commander
| 7 Sep 44 |
Brig. Gen. Bryant E. Moore |
| 26 Feb 45 |
Col. George A. Smith |
| 3 Mar 45 |
Col. Charles T. Lanham |
Artillery Commander
| 7 Sep 44 |
Brig. Gen. William R. Woodward |
Chief of Staff
| 7 Sep 44 |
Col. Bartholomew R. DeGraff |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-1
| 7 Sep 44 |
Lt. Col. Scott T. Rex |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-2
| 7 Sep 44 |
Lt. Col. Mark S. Plaisted |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-3
| 7 Sep 44 |
Maj. Leo Hoegh |
| 18 Nov 44 |
Lt. Col. Leo Hoegh |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-4
| 7 Sep 44 |
Lt. Col. Clyde L. Pennington |
Assistant Chief of Staff G-5
| 3 Oct 44 |
Maj. Templar S. Cawthorne |
| 1 Jan 45 |
Lt. Col. Templar S. Cawthorne |
Adjutant General
| 7 Sep 44 |
Capt. Melvin M. Kernan |
| 13 Oct 44 |
Maj. Melvin M. Kernan |
| 18 Nov 44 |
Lt. Col. Melvin M. Kernan |
Commanding Officer, 413th Infantry
| 7 Sep 44 |
Col. Welcome P. Waltz |
| 4 Mar 45 |
Lt. Col. William M. Summers |
| 3 May 45 |
Col. William M. Summers |
Commanding Officer, 414th Infantry
| 7 Sep 44 |
Col. Anthony J. Touart |
| 1 Mar 45 |
Lt. Col. Gerald C. Kelleher |
| 2 Mar 45 |
Col. Gerald C. Kelleher |
Commanding Officer, 415th Infantry
| 7 Sep 44 |
Col. John Hamilton Cochran |
STATISTICS
Chronology
| Activated |
15 September 1942 |
| Arrived ETO |
7 September 1944 |
| Arrived Continent (D+93) |
7 September 1944 |
| Entered Combat: First Elements |
23 October 1944 |
| Entire Division |
24 October 1944 |
| Days in Combat |
178 |
Casualties (Tentative)
| Killed |
1,294 |
| Wounded |
5,305 |
| Missing |
385 |
| Captured |
27 |
| Battle Casualties |
7,011 |
| Non-Battle Casualties |
6,396 |
| Total Casualties |
13,407 |
| Percent of T/O Strength |
95.1 |
Campaigns
- Northern France
- Rhineland
- Central Europe
Individual Awards
| Distinguished Service Cross |
16 |
| Legion of Merit |
3 |
| Silver Star |
503 |
| Soldiers Medal |
16 |
| Bronze Star |
1,869 |
| Air Medal |
39 |
Prisoners of War Taken 51,727
COMPOSITION
- 413th Infantry
- 415th Infantry
- 415th Infantry
- 104th Reconnaissance Troop (Mechanized)
- 329th Engineer Combat Battalion
- 329th Medical Battalion
- 104th Division Artillery
- 385th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 386th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 929th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm Howitzer)
- 387th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm Howitzer)
- Special Troops
- 804th Ordnance Light Maintenance Company
- 104th Quartermaster Company
- 104th Signal Company
- Military Police Platoon
- Headquarters Company
- Band
ATTACHMENTS
Antiaircraft Artillery
| 555th AAA AW Bn (Mbl) |
26 Oct 44-24 May 45 |
Armored
| Br 147th Armd Regt (Br 34th Armd Brig) |
23 Oct 44-7 Nov 44 |
| 750th Tk Bn |
16 Nov 44-23 Dec 44 |
| 784th Tk Bn |
31 Dec 44-3 Feb 45 |
| 750th Tk Bn |
6 Feb 45-22 May 45 |
| CC A (7th Armd Div) |
2 Apr 45-4 Apr 45 |
Cavalry
| 4th Cav Gp |
1 Apr 45-6 Apr 45 |
Chemical
| 87th Cml Bn (-) |
10 Dec 44-22 Dec 44 |
Field Artillery
| 188th FA Bn (155mm How) |
10 Nov 44-22 Dec 44 |
| 987th FA Bn (155mm Gun) |
26 Nov 44-10 Dec 44 |
| 87th Armd FA Bn |
29 Nov 44-15 Dec 44 |
| 268th FA Bn (8" Gun) |
18 Dec 44-26 Dec 44 |
| 60th FA Bn (9th Div) (105mm How) |
19 Dec 44-22 Dec 44 |
| 65th Armd FA Bn |
23 Dec 44-5 Feb 45 |
| 87th Armd FA Bn |
7 Feb 45-25 Feb 45 |
| 957th FA Bn (155mm How) |
7 Feb 45-28 Feb 45 |
| 802d FA Bn (105mm How) |
20 Feb 45-9 Mar 45 |
| 283d FA Bn (105mm How) |
1 Apr 45-6 Apr 45 |
| 87th Armd FA Bn |
1 Apr 45-28 Apr 45 |
| 957th FA Bn (155mm How) |
4 Apr 45-28 Apr 45 |
| 981st FA Bn (155mm Gun) |
12 Apr 45-27 Apr 45 |
| Btry B, 13th FA Obsn Bn |
15 Apr 45-17 Apr 45 |
| 987th FA Bn (155mm Gun) |
16 Apr 45-18 Apr 45 |
| Btry A, 991st FA Bn (155mm Gun) |
16 Apr 45-22 Apr 45 |
| Btry B, 13th FA Obsn Bn |
17 Apr 45-23 Apr 45 |
| 142d FA Gp |
19 Apr 45-27 Apr 45 |
Infantry
| 60th Inf (9th Div) |
18 Dec 44-21 Dec 44 |
| 272d Inf (69th Div) |
1 May 45-6 May 45 |
Tank Destroyer
| Br 103rd AT Bty |
24 Oct 44-7 Nov 44 |
| 692d TD Bn (SP) |
29 Oct 44-7 Mar 45 |
| Co C, 644th TD Bn (SP) |
21 Mar 45-25 Mar 45 |
| 817th TD Bn (T) |
1 Apr 45-9 Jun 45 |
104th Infantry Division World War II Missing in Action
There are 19 soldiers of the 104th Infantry Division World War II still listed as missing in action.
