Or you can see an active overview of all pages at the 7th Armored Division web site.

Combat Command "R" was originally the smaller Reserve Combat Command, intended to come to the support of the full-strength Combat Command "A" or "B" as needed. However, as 7th Armored Division moved across France and the Netherlands from August - November 1944, it became clear that CCR was in fact best staffed and utilized as a third full-strength Combat Command. In January 1945, the reduced-size CCR headquarters was brought up to full strength with CCA and CCB, through the incorporation of many members of the Headquarters of the 9th Armored Group. Thus the history of CCR and of 9th Armored Group are strongly inter-connected.

Commanding Officers

• ???
• Lt. Col. James E. Newberry
  (?? - August 1944 - 4 September 1944, relieved)
• Col. George H. Molony
  (4 September 1944 - 11 September 1944, wounded vicinity of Bronvaux, France) -- had been Division Chief of Staff
• Lt. Col. John P. Wemple
  (11 September 1944 - 11 September 1944) -- interim CO, then returned to command of 17th Tank Battalion
• Lt. Col. Norman E. Hart
  (11 September 1944 - 12 September 1944) -- interim CO, then returned to command of 440th Armored Field Artillery Battalion
• Col. Andrew J. Adams
  (12 September 1944 - 14 September 1944, became Division Chief of Staff) -- later commanded Division Trains
  He was considered a Lt. Col. at this time (12-14 September), since it was not until 18 September 1944 that notification of his promotion, as of 1 September, to full Col. was received.
  Sources: 7AD Sep 44 G-1 Journal, CCR After Action Reports
• Col. Pete T. Heffner
  (14 September 1944 - 20 September 1944, evacuated to hospital, while west of Sillegny, France) -- not sure what caused him to be hospitalized; he returned to duty (in a yet-unknown role, but not to CCR command) on 25 September. He eventually became commander of the 342nd Infantry Regiment of 86th Infantry Division on 1 April 1945
  Sources: 7AD Sep 44 G-1 Journal, CCR After Action Reports
• Lt. Col. William H. G. Fuller
  (20 September 1944 - 20 September 1944, interim commander only - assumed command of 38 AIB) -- I am told that Fuller and Ryan came together from a prior assignment
  Sources: 7AD Sep 44 G-1 Journal, CCR After Action Reports
• Col. John L. Ryan
  (20 September 1944 - 15 December 1944, became Division Chief of Staff on 17 December 1944) -- actually ended CCR command a few days earlier, since he was on leave in Paris on 16 December
  Sources: 7AD Sep 44 G-1 Journal, CCR After Action Reports
• Lt. Col. Fred M. Warren
  (15? December 1944 - 30 December 1944, became temporary commander when Col. Ryan went on leave and stayed on as temporary commander after Col. Ryan became Division C/S, then returned to role as XO after Col. Tompkins assumed command)
• Lt. Col. Francis P. Tompkins
  (30 December 1944 - Duration)

• Battle of the Bulge: December 1944 - January 1945
  • 7th Armored Division Combat Commands: St. Vith, Belgium: December 1944
    January 1945 combat interviews of all three Combat Commands of 7th Armored Division, covering the defense of the St. Vith Salient, December 16-23, 1944
    (Click here for information about this book.)

  • The 7th Armored Division Goes Back: St. Vith, Belgium: 20-23 January 1945
    1945 narrative, based on combat interviews of all parts of 7th Armored Division, covering the return to St. Vith in January 1945
    (Click here for information about this book.)

• December 1945 - Duration
  • After Action Reports and other records of 9th Armored Group
    I have obtained these 70-75 pages from the National Archives but have not yet transcribed them. If you would like to purchase a copy, please contact Wesley Johnston at wwjohnston@aol.com

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