29th Infantry Division

The 29th Infantry Division (29th ID), also known as the ‘Blue and Gray Division’, is an infantry division of the United States Army based in Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It is currently a formation of the U.S. Army National Guard and contains units from Virginia, Maryland, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina and West Virginia.

Cannon Company group, 115th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, Walker Lines Camp, Bodmin, c.1943

 

Formed in 1917, the 29th division deployed to France as a part of the American Expeditionary Force during the First World War. Called up for service again in the Second World War, the 29th Division sailed for England in September 1942 aboard the famous Cunard liners Queen Mary and Queen Elizabeth. In preparation for D-Day, the division began incessant training in central and southwest England, which would continue for twenty consecutive months. Billeted in Bodmin between 1943-1944 was the 104 Medical Battalion, 110 Field Artillery Battalion and the 115th Infantry Regiment. 

 

On June 6, 1944, the 29th Division joined with the 1st Division to assault Omaha Beach on D-Day. The 116th Infantry Regiment landed in the first wave at 0630 hours on the western half of the beach and met unexpectedly fierce resistance from German troops entrenched on the coastal bluffs. Despite heavy losses, the 116th penetrated the enemy defences and established a tenuous beachhead by nightfall.

The 115th Infantry Regiment landed at about 11 AM, and the 175th the next morning. The men then advanced to Saint-Lô, and eventually through France and into Germany.

SOLDIERS OF THE 29th...