During the Second World War, the United States of America played an enormously vital role in the eventual Allied victory. All told, America mobilized almost 20 million fighting men to beat back the brutal aggression of Nazi Germany, Fascist Italy, and the Empire of Japan. The backbone of this immense force was the infantry division.

The typical United States’ Infantry Division of World War Two was an incredible fighting force. It contianed 14,253 soldiers, divided into three regiments of three battalions of three rifle companies each. The regiment was the steel spine of this force. It gave the infantry division it’s offensive, or attacking capability. Yet, the defensive capability lay with its 200 to 250 strong rifle company. This unit, which was almost always found at the point of any advance, was also the first to come under attack from enemy tanks, troops, artillery, or, many times, all three at once. And it’s responsibility was to hold fast until much larger forces could be assembled for the counter attack. Sadly, often times, the unit’s casualties were appalling.

In addition to large numbers of soldiers, the U.S. Infantry Division of the Second World War was also augmented by enormous fire support as well. For example, there were six 57 millimeter anti-tank guns, six short-barreled 105 millimeter howitzers, thirty-six long-barreled 105 millimeter howitzers, and twelve enormous 155 millimeter cannons attached to each and every division. This artillery ensemble was so enormous, it was actually three to four times greater than what a typical German infantry division could muster. Such quantitative superiority in arms made the U.S. Infantry Division quite a formidable opponent on any battlefield anywhere, anytime during World War Two. And to top it all off, every division was built around a core of over 2000 military vehicles! This made every one of them fully mechanized; thus, increasing their offensive capabilities to stratospheric proportions.

In conclusion, the U.S. Infantry Division of the Second World War, pound for pound, was bigger, stronger, better armed, far better supported, and far more mobile than any of its Axis counterparts.