This is a ‘beta’ release of the website, which remains a work in progress. Many links lead nowhere. It is best to check back frequently, if you are expecting to see specific information suggested
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24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) 1943 - 1945
‘To the men of the dust and the saber’s thrust’
A history of the 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), part of the US 4th Cavalry Group in WW2. The contribution of mechanized cavalry to the allied victory in Europe is typically overlooked in popular histories of D Day and after. But without them the war would have been longer and more costly in lives. Based on original source material, the site tells one cavalry squadron’s story and honours the men who served in it.
Men of Tank Company F training in Britain, ahead of D Day
The mission
The 24th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron, Mechanized, was activated in Britain, December 1943.
From D Day, as part of the VII Corps, First United States Army, the squadron served with distinction across France, Belgium and into Germany and Austria.
The men
The squadron comprised three reconnaissance troops, an artillery troop, a light tank company, medical detachment and headquarters and service troop, totalling 750 men.
Many men arrived over time to replace those injured or killed in action.
Timeline
The story of the squadron and its actions, drawing from the original After Action Reports, Morning Reports and other documents.
This section is evolving over time.
NOTE: this site is a living work in progress. Return visitors can track recent site updates here.
March 3 1945, men of Reconnaissance Troop C with prisoners of war in Grevenbroich, Germany
Squadron commanding officer Lt. Col. Frederick H. Gaston Jr’s After Action report from that day. Over time, this site will tell the entire story of the squadron’s actions, based on the original field records and post-war material.
September 3 1944. Men from Tank Company F in a Stuart M5A1 are greeted by civilians on Rue Thiers, in Charleville-Mézières, northern France. Photo credit: Nicolas Conreur’s blog ‘Ma Kubelwagen Lili’. Original taken during the liberation of Charleville by local photographer Mr Jean Héraux.
“My first day of combat was over, but it isn’t like you go home at 6 o’clock, you play leapfrog. The big boys took over and we were moved to another area, to do flank protection, whatever that means, I always tried to protect my flank and my ass too.”
Corporal Joseph A. Negri (32905647) 1st Platoon, Troop A
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