16th Cavalry Group

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	Strike Hard
16		19
	Regular Army

Rhineland // Central Europe

Commander: George Busbey, COL, CAV

The 16th Cavalry Group (Mecz) under command of Colonel George Busbey, Cavalry, consisted of the 16th and 19th Cavalry Squadrons, sailed for England on 22 November 1944 .  The group landed on the continent of Europe on 28 February 1945 , and was assigned to the Third Army.  On 8 March 1945 , the group went into the line alongside the 3rd Cavalry Group to form the 316th Cavalry Brigade (Prov), which was actively engaged in the Saar-Moselle triangle near Trier .  During the first 2 weeks, the group was active around the town of Irsch , Germany , continuing the advance with XX Corps east from Trier .  After a few days, the 316th Cavalry Brigade (Prov) was dissolved and the group took up the mission of left flank protection of the Corps’ flank.  In addition, the group continued to mop up remaining resistance in the Saar-Moselle triangle, capturing numerous villages and towns.  About 3,000 prisoners were taken by the group during its operation in this zone.  It crossed the Rhine River near Mainz on 29 March, and turned and advanced northeast to the vicinity of Kassel .  On 7 April 1945 , the group was relieved from assignment with the Third Army and assigned to the Fifteenth Army where it remained until VE Day.

This article is extracted from a supplemental student text (undated) written for the US Army Armor School by LTC (Ret) James W. Cooke