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At 19, John Crews was one of the youngest members of his Company C, as they made their daring push through the German lines and into the heartland of the Reich. They moved with such speed and audacity that the Germans were amazed.
The Nazis came to fear the 4th and 12th Armored Divisions more than any others.
Loaned to General Patton, the 12th became the "Mystery Division" and served as his spearhead for the dash to the Rhine. Extremely bitter winter conditions harshened the miseries of the combat push.
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John's memories of the war events from his writings and interviews taken in
May, 2005.
Click on the Hellcats logo to begin.
The entire story of the "Mystery Division" can be read in the
Army booklet called "Speed Is The Password", which John obtained
at the conclusion of the war. It is presented online here, in it's entirety.
Click the booklet to begin.
Through this link, you can view the official map of the 12th Armored's activities.
The map was prepared just after the German defeat and presented to John
while still on duty in Germany.
Click the map to begin.
Here are original typewritten pages (some terse, and others humorous - typed
by John himself) that chronicle the day-to-day events and progress of Co.
C.
Click the image to begin.
©2003, David P. Crews
