---
title: "Complete overview of the major fighting units in WW2"
description: "Detailed unit histories, awards, combat chronicles, commanders and campaign information about the major army units of WW2"
url: "https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories"
date: "2026-07-28T02:05:51+00:00"
language: "en-GB"
---
# World War II
Allied Unit Histories
## A historically accurate overview
Based on official US, British and Canadian sources
[](#) [](#)
- [World War II
Allied Unit Histories](#)
The units of WW2
## Which units fought during WW2
This growing collection explores the military units that fought during the Second World War. Many of the combat chronicles are reproduced from **The Army Almanac** (October 1948), an official post-war reference published by the United States Army. Where appropriate, material is used with permission from the **U.S. Army Center of Military History** and enhanced with information from additional official and archival sources.
The project remains a work in progress. New American, British, Canadian, Polish, Free French, German, and other wartime formations will be added over time, creating an expanding reference library for researchers, students, family historians, and anyone interested in the history of World War II.
Last updated: June 2026: updated with new commanding officer profiles, UI design improvements and more structural data.
- All
- Canada
- United States
[ 
### 1st Canadian Infantry Division
Canada
Formation and early war service The 1st Canadian Infantry Division was one of the first Canadian formations mobilized for overseas service during World War II. It deployed to the United Kingdom in…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/1st-canadian-infantry-division)
[ 
### 1st Infantry Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 1st Infantry Division, known as the “Big Red One”, was one of the first U.S. Army divisions to enter combat in the European Theater during World War II. The…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/1st-infantry-division)
[ 
### 2nd Canadian Infantry Division
Canada
Formation and early war service The 2nd Canadian Infantry Division was mobilized in 1939 and deployed to the United Kingdom in 1940 as part of Canada’s early commitment to the war in Europe. …
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/2nd-canadian-infantry-division)
[ 
### 2nd Infantry Division
United States
World War I origins The 2nd Division was organized in 1917 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I. The division is known as the “Indianhead Division”, derived from its…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/2nd-infantry-division)
[ 
### 3rd Canadian Infantry Division
Canada
Formation and early war service The 3rd Canadian Infantry Division was authorized on 17 May 1940 as part of Canada’s expanding commitment to the war in Europe. Unlike earlier Canadian formations,…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/3rd-canadian-infantry-division)
[ 
### 4th Infantry Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 4th Infantry Division, known as the “Ivy Division” was activated on 1 June 1940 at Fort Benning, Georgia USA. The division trained in the United States…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/4th-infantry-division)
[ 
### 8th Armored Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 8th Armored Division was activated on 1 April 1942 at Fort Knox, Kentucky, under the command of William H. H. Morris Jr.. It was formed as a heavy armored…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/8th-armored-division)
[ 
### 29th Infantry Division
United States
World War II: Formation and Preparation The 29th Infantry Division, known as the “Blue and Gray Division” was activated for federal service on 3 February 1941. Composed largely of National Guard…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/29th-infantry-division)
[ 
### 45th Infantry Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 45th Infantry Division, known as the “Thunderbird Division” was activated for federal service on 16 September 1940. Originally a National Guard division composed…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/45th-infantry-division)
[ 
### 82nd Airborne Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 82nd Airborne Division “All American Division” was reactivated in 1942 as one of the U.S. Army’s first airborne divisions. Trained for parachute and glider…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/82nd-airborne-division)
[ 
### 87th Infantry Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 87th Infantry Division, known as the “Golden Acorn Division,” was activated on 15 December 1942 in the United States. After extensive training, it deployed to…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/87th-infantry-division)
[ 
### 101st Airborne Division
United States
World War II: Formation and role The 101st Airborne Division, known as the “Screaming Eagles” was activated on 16 August 1942 at Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, under the command of William C. Lee. It…
](https://www.normandy1944.info/home/unit-histories/101st-airborne-division)