The 19th Armored Division was eventually activated just after the war, and allotted to the Sixth Army area of the Organized Reserves (specifically California, Oregon, and Arizona).

The division was reactivated in 1947, reflagged from the 19th Armored Division, which had been 'placed on rolls', but not actually activated, during World War II. The men were aware that it was an open secret that they were likely to participate in the invasion of Japan. It was training in amphibious operations at the time of the Japanese surrender. The division moved to Camp Cook, California after returning to the United States. The 13th remained in Germany until 25 June and left Le Havre, France, for home, 14 July 1945. Preparations were made for further advances when the war in Europe ended. A bridgehead across the Inn was established at Marktl, but the river was not crossed as orders came to reassemble north of Inn River, 2 May. The Division smashed into Braunau am Inn, Austria, 2 May, and the command post was set up in the house where Hitler was born. Moderate to heavy resistance was met during this drive through southern Germany. On the 28th, elements closed in at Plattling and crossed the Isar River. Starting from Parsberg, 26 April, the 13th crossed the Regen river, then the Danube at Matting and secured the area near Dünzling. Shifting south to Eschenau, the Division prepared for Bavarian operations. After crossing the river Sieg at Siegburg, the 13th pushed north to Bergisch Gladbach, then toward Duisburg and Mettmann by 18 April.

The attack jumped off at Honnef, 10 April. At Altenkirchen, it was attached to the XVIII Airborne Corps and prepared for the Ruhr Pocket operation. After performing occupation duties, the Division moved to Homberg near Kassel to prepare for combat under the Third Army, 5 April. The 13th Armored, known as the Black Cats, landed at Le Havre, France, 29 January 1945.

The division was activated on 15 October 1942 at Camp Beale, east of Marysville, California. The 13th Armored Division was an armored division of the United States Army in World War II.

Ww2 tank battle cologne