3RD ARMORED GROUP WW II

UNITED STATES ARMY

3rd ARMORED GROUP FLAGS & GUIDONS
1944 Regulations

In June 1944 the 3rd Armored Group was stationed in the United Kingdom; its higher headquarters was the V Corps of First United States Army. Of the four tank battalions assigned to the group, three were equipped with the M4 Sherman medium tank and one was equipped with the M5 Stuart light tank. The medium tank battalions had three companies of M4s and one of M5s; the light tank battalion had three companies of M5s. The medium battalions also had a service company; in the light battalion supply, maintenance and administration services were embodied in the headquarters company. Companies B and C of the 741st and the 743rd were equipped with the amphibious-capable duplex drive (DD) version of the M4. Authorized tank strengths were 54 M4s (75mm gun), 6 M4 assault guns (105mm howitzer) and 17 M5s (37mm gun) for medium tank battalions; 57 M5s and 3 T30 halftrack assault guns (75mm howitzer) for light tank battalions. However, the M4 assault gun (105mm) was not yet available in quantity and on D-Day the assault gun platoons of the medium battalions were equipped with the standard M4 tank (75mm).

On D-Day (6 June 1944), a headquarters element and all three medium tank battalions of the 3rd Armored Group were attached to the 1st Infantry Division for the landing on Omaha Beach. During the Battle of Normandy and the subsequent campaign in northwest Europe the group's tank battalions were all detached, the medium battalions to infantry divisions and the light battalion to the 4th Cavalry Group (Mechanized). The group headquarters was used for liaison between the detached tank battalions and V Corps headquarters, and as a backup task force headquarters to which combat units could be attached for special missions or emergencies. The 3rd Armored Group served in the latter capacity during the first major attack on the German Siegfried Line between 17 and 30 September 1944.

Distinguishing flags for armored groups were diagonally divided from upper hoist to lower fly in the Armor branch colors, green over white, with the unit number centered and countercharged. Distinguishing flags were made of wool bunting; dimensions were 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly. The distinguishing flag was always carried or displayed with a National Standard, Service of the same material and dimensions with an additional 2 1/2-inch fringe of knotted yellow silk. The group headquarters company guidon was of the same design as the distinguishing flag; the battalions had green guidons with the Armor branch insignia, numerals and letters in white. All guidons were made of cotton or wool bunting; dimensions were 20 inches at the hoist by 27 inches on the fly with a 10-inch fork.