It was one of the largest tank battles of WW II, and the 2nd Cavalry Group was caught right in the middle of it. Having liberated the town of Luneville the previous day, Group was preparing to swing north on the heels of an attack by XII Corps, when the 11th Panzer Division smashed into the positions of the 2nd Cavalry Group.
Forced to retreat through recently liberated Luneville, the 2nd Cavalry Group, now reinforced by the 4th Armored Division, fought a delaying action near the town of Luneville which turned into a slugfest over the next few weeks. The 11th Panzer Division was finally routed, and never did recover from the battle.
The other day Col.(ret) Tom Molino, President of the 2nd Cavalry Association, received a letter of gratitude from a citizen of Luneville. Following is a copy of the letter:
Dear Colonel Molino:
Thank you very much for your mail. I’m not a member of the 2nd Cavalry, but a single citizen of
Luneville.
I’d met you I think when you visited Luneville.
When I was a young man in 1971, I presented the 2nd to my ancient teacher, then mayor of the town, then he invited the regiment every year in.
Yesterday Luneville celebrated the 64th year of her liberation by the 2nd Cavalry on September [17] 1944.
I remember, and I send you my best wishes & kind regards!
Gerard Pillot
4 Comments
I was lucky to participate in the yearly celbration of the liberation of Luneville on three different occasions. The citezens of Lunevill continued to show their appreciation for the liberation by the 2nd Calvalry. I could see genuine gratitude in the eyes of people who lived through war.
Tony,
I have a 2nd Cavalry plate presented to the mayor of Luneville in 1991 and signed by the officers and wives of 1st Squadron. Gonna send it to Tom Molino so he can give it to the museum.
Toujours Pret,
TD
je suis militaire à Lunéville au 53éme Régiment de Transmissions et j’organise le 65éme anniversaire de la libération de la ville qui va être très chargée.Vendredi 18 septembre inauguration d’un monument pour le 314éme Rgt d’infanterie de la 79éme Div Inf US à hauteur de Fraimbois près de la rivière Meurthe à 10h00, l’après midi inauguration d’une plaque pour le général Patch et une grande cérémonie sur la place Léopold à 15h00
Le samedi 19 septembre, 3 cérémonie, Colonel BAILEY, Major PITTMAN et le terrain d’aviation de Chanteheux, la traversée de la forêt de Parroy et cérémonie à Emberménil et Leintrey.Le dimanche 20 septembre messe à 9h00, cérémonie à Valhey et Arracourt puis Bezange la Petite avec la présence de militaires américains du 2éme de Cavalerie basé en allemagne et une quarantaine de véhicules US de 1944 à bientôt
Rough translation:
I am military Lunéville the 53th Regiment of Communications and I organize the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the city that will be very chargée.Vendredi September 18 inauguration of a monument to the 314th Infantry Rgt of the U.S. 79th Inf Div Fraimbois up to near the river Meurthe at 10:00 in the afternoon unveiling of a plaque to General Patch and a grand ceremony on the square Léopold 15.00
Saturday 19 September 3 ceremony, Colonel Bailey, Major PITTMAN and airfield Chanteheux, crossing the forest Parroy ceremony and Embermenil Leintrey.Le and Sunday 20 September mass at 9:00 am, ceremony at Valhey and then Arracourt Little Bezange with the presence of U.S. forces from the 2nd Cavalry based in Germany and about forty vehicles from 1944 to U.S. soon