US Army 6th Armored Division shoulder sleeve patch with tank, gun, and red lightning bolt

Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 6th Armored Division, United States Army, known as the Super Sixth Division, of the type used during World War II. The patch design was used by all Armored divisions, with the division number, in this case 6, at the apex of the triangle. The colors represent the military branches that form an armored division: yellow for cavalry, blue for infantry, and red for artillery. The symbols represent the characteristics: the tank track, mobility and armor protection; the cannon, fire power; and the red flash of lightning, shock action. The 6th Division landed in Normandy on July 18, 1944, and advanced through France, liberating several towns. After fighting in the Battle of the Bulge, they moved through Germany and captured many towns. The Division liberated Buchenwald concentration camp on April 11, 1945. The SS guards had fled and prisoners were in control of the camp. There were 21,000 survivors in the camp. Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. The Division was placed on occupation duty in Germany until inactivated on September 18, 1945.