69th Infantry Division cut edge

Original WWII shoulder insignia, cut edge, of the 69th Infantry Division. 

The unit arrived in England on December 12, 1944 where it continued its training before being sent to France, landing at Le Havre on January 24, 1945 and then heading to Belgium to relieve the 99th Infantry Division. Initially, it occupied defensive positions facing the Siegfried Line. It went on the offensive at the end of February, taking Schmidtheim and Dahlem on March 7. On March 27, it crossed the Rhine and captured the fortress of Ehrenbreitstein. On April 7, it relieved the 80th infantry division at Cassel, took Hann. Münden the next day before conquering Weißenfels on April 14, despite strong resistance. It fought major street battles during the capture of Leipzig on April 18 and advanced to Eilenburg which fell on April 23, securing the east bank of the Mulde. During patrols between this river and the Elbe, it was the first American unit to come into contact with the advanced elements of the Soviet 5th Guards Army near Riesa and then at Torgau on Elbe Day, the April 25. Until May 8, the division carried out patrol missions then participated in the occupation of Germany until September 1945.