As part of America's Operation Gyroscope, in March 1956, the 11th Airborne Division crossed the Atlantic on their way to Europe to replace the 5th Infantry Division, in Augsburg, Germany. On April 14, Division Commander MG Derrill M. Daniel restricted the entire division to post after a series of bar-room brawls across Munich to maintain good relations with the German people. I imagine there are some good stories about that one!

The Angels became "The Shield of Bavaria" and continued developing goodwill relations with West Germany during their time overseas, becoming Ambassadors of Democracy just as they had done during the Occupation of Japan between 1945-1949. However, in 1957 the 11th Airborne Division was reorganized into a Pentomic division (organizations designed to fight on nuclear and conventional battlefields) which included inactivating its three infantry regiments (188th, 503rd and 511th) and replacing them with five battle groups, effective March 1, 1957.

The battle groups were:

  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 187th Infantry
  • 2d Airborne Battle Group, 502d Infantry
  • 1st Airborne Battle Group, 503d Infantry
  • 2d Airborne Battle Group, 504th Infantry
  • 2d Airborne Battle Group, 505th Infantry

Then on August 1, 1958, the 11th Airborne Division itself was officially reorganized and reflagged as the 24th Infantry Division.Commander: Colonel Herman W. Dammer - Aug. 1955 - July 1956
Commander: LTC Cameron Knox - July 1956 - Sept. 1956
Commander: COL D.E. Munson - Sept.1956 - 1957