{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-2nd-armored-division-trench-art-tobacco-box-engraved-for-41st-armored-infantry-regiment-hell-on-wheels","title":"Original U.S. WWII 2nd Armored Division Trench Art Tobacco Box Engraved for 41st Armored Infantry Regiment - Hell on Wheels","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is a tremendous piece of WWII trench art, a brass tobacco box with a wooden knob handle, engraved on the side for the 2nd Armored Division, which saw extensive combat during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tobacco box measures \u003cstrong\u003e5⅛ x 4 x 1¾”\u003c\/strong\u003e with the knob adding an extra inch in height. The side of the box is engraved with the insignia of the 2nd Armored Division with \u003cstrong\u003e41ST A.I.R. HELL ON WHEELS\u003c\/strong\u003e engraved around it. The interior of the box is gorgeous with machining marks heavily visible. The brass has small bits of oxidation throughout but this adds to the patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a fantastic piece of WWII Trench Art, perfect for any armored collection. Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2nd Armored Division was formed at Fort Benning (now Fort Moore), Georgia on 15 July 1940, by reorganizing and redesignating the Provisional Tank Brigade (the 66th Infantry Regiment (Light Tanks), 67th Infantry Regiment (Medium Tanks), and 68th Infantry Regiment (Light Tanks)). It was originally commanded by Major General Charles L. Scott, with Colonel George S. Patton Jr. in charge of training. Scott was promoted to command the I Armored Corps in November of that year, which put Patton, now a brigadier general, in command of the division. The division, which in February 1942 passed over to the command of Major General Willis D. Crittenberger, served with the First, Seventh, and Ninth Armies throughout the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 2nd Armored was organized as a \"heavy\" armored division meaning it contained two armored regiments; each regiment having two medium tank battalions and one light tank battalion, with each battalion consisting of three companies (18 tank companies total). Along with the 3rd Armored Division, it retained its organization throughout World War II–the 14 other U.S. armored divisions were reorganized as \"light\" armored divisions, having three tank battalions, each consisting of three medium tank companies and one light tank company (12 tank companies total). Both types had an infantry component of three mechanized battalions, although the heavy divisions maintained an \"armored infantry regiment\" organization.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe core units of the division were the 41st Armored Infantry Regiment, the 66th Armored Regiment, the 67th Armor Regiment, the 17th Armored Engineer Battalion, the 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion, and the 142nd Armored Signal Company. The 82nd Armored Reconnaissance Battalion was known as the \"eyes and ears\" of the 2nd Armored Division.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":41870276558917,"sku":"ONJR24TMF025","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24TMF025__01.jpg?v=1726888005","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-2nd-armored-division-trench-art-tobacco-box-engraved-for-41st-armored-infantry-regiment-hell-on-wheels","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}