2nd Armor Division, 66th Armored Regiment

Here's a bit about the 66th in WW2

66th Armored Regiment:
On 15 July 1940, the unit was re-designated from the 66th Infantry (Light Tanks) to the 66th Armored Regiment as part of the newly formed 2nd Armored Division, stationed at Ft. Benning, Georgia. In December 1942, the 66th as a part of the 2nd Armored Division participated in the amphibious invasion of French Morocco in North Africa and was a part of the Division's triumphant entry into Casablanca. The regiment participated in the invasion of Sicily and through fierce fighting earned the 66th six battle streamers during the War.
In 1944, the 66th went into action on the European front, landed on Normandy’s beaches on 9 June 1944. A week later the 66th as a part of the 2nd Armored Dvision decisively defeated the German 6th Parachute Regiment and the 37th SS Panzer Regiment near Carnetan, France. The 66th moved across France to the German border. It was diverted southeast to counter the German advance during the battle of the Bulge, assisting in the destruction of the 2nd Panzer Division and assisted in capturing Hoffalize, Belgium. As a result of it's exemplary conduct in the liberation of Belgium, the Regiment was twice cited in the Order of the Day of the Belgium Army. The Second Armored Division was selected to occupy Berlin and serve as the first American troops to enter the fallen German Capital. In World War 2 one of many noted battle of the 66th was in the vicinity of Geilenkirchen, Germany. This started on 18 Sept 44 attacked and breached the Siegfried Line in the vicinity of Ubach, 3 Oct 44. after one of the greatest tank battle of the European Campaigns, this was fought on 20 Nov.44, reached the Roer River, 28 Nov. 44. The 82nd Recon had a limited role in this tank battle.
66th Armored Regiment: Historical documented facts.
1944-1945: On 30 July 1944 the 2nd Battalion, which had been in reserve, attacked and fought for thirteen hours to secure and hold the Villebaudon, Fr. crossroads. The enemy resisted vigorously, counter-attacking with tanks and infantry, and throwing in heavy concentrations of artillery. In one counter-attack, the enemy employed 40 tanks. Elements of the 702 Tank Destroyer Battalion, attacked, knocked out eleven German tanks during this action and the preceding two days, one hundred and eighty of the enemy were killed and one hundred and twenty were captured. The 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment was on thirty minute alert to support the 2nd Battalion, but was not called upon. On 31 July 1944 the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment attacked along the axis of the Villebaudon-Tessy-sur-Vire road and reached a point immediately south of Beaucoudray, before encountering a ravine defended by enemy tanks in strength. On 1 August 1944 the 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment on the north and the 1st Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment on the south of the Villebaudon-Tessy-sur-Vire road, attacked. The 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment had its column cut by five Panther tanks. The battalion fought them off and pushed on the the outskirts of Tessy-sur-Vire. The were preceded by Troop "A" of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, which had arrived at the edge of town, but had not attempted to seize it. Two tanks were sent into town but were destroyed. The attached infantry from the 22nd Regimental Combat Team were then sent into Tessy and secured it by 1500B. The 3rd Battalion, 66th Armored Regiment had attacked that day with only twenty four tanks, less than half of its strength, and lost 14 of that number in the attack. The 1st Battalion of the the 66th forged its way to within about 1000 yds. of the town, knocking out five enemy tanks and capturing 60 prisoners. At 1700B, the 2nd Battalion , 66th Armored Regiment, which had been held in reserve, was committed and in an attack which ended about a mile west of Percy knocked out seven enemy tanks and captured 70 prisoners. Later that night the 30th Infantry Division occupied Tessy, and the gap between Tessy and the 1st and 2d Battalions of the 66th Armored

http://www.2ndarmoredhellonwheels.com/units/66th.html

 

The National Archives had a push to collect oral histories from WWII veterans. Members of your unit-of-interest might have donated to that.

 

I always suggest plowing through the Green Books appropriate to the relevant events. References and footnotes at least. Bread crumbs have led me many interesting places in the last 65+ years.

 

Green Books were the first thing I hit when I was going for my Masters.

International students of WWII have been effusive in their praise for the books.