The Evolution of British Combined Arms Doctrine
Coordinating armor, infantry, and artillery to maximize combat power for achieving objectives at a minimal cost in lives. Sherman Firefly Tank This posting focuses on the evolution of British Army doctrine and the practice of the operational art in the ETO;...
The Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces
Before moving on to British Army doctrine in the ETO (European Theater of Operations), it may be helpful to review the organization and leadership of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary force, which controlled the Allied ground forces that fought in that...
Allied Differences over Strategy
SHAEF’s Strategy Prior to D-Day Prior to D-Day, the Allied Combined Chiefs of Staff (CCS) provided direction to General Eisenhower, the Commander of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), on the strategy and their intent for the prosecution of...
The British 21st Army Group
Introduction to British Military Operations in NW Europe 1944-45 Over the coming months we will take a look at the British practice of the operational art from Normandy to V-E Day. However, to preserve the widest possible interest, postings on other topics will be...
Scenario: The 35th Infantry Division in the November Offensive
Scenario Overview Three scenarios cover the operations of the 35th Infantry Division and Combat Command B of the 4th Armored Division operating in the 35th Infantry Division’s zone during the opening of the XII Corps November 1944 Offensive in Lorraine. Scenario 1...
Assessing Patton’s Performance in Lorraine
General Patton was one the great combat generals of the Second World War at the corps and army levels of command. He was unquestionably considered by the Germans to be the most capable Allied senior general in the ETO. His accomplishments in North Africa,...
Arnaville Bridgehead: XX Corps Crosses the Moselle
Note to Miniature Wargamers These scenarios are designed for rulesets that emphasize the operational art, such as “Kampfgruppe Commander” and “Command Decision. The scales of play are division-sized with platoon-sized stands at a scale of 1:235 with 6mm model...
Overview of the Lorraine Campaign
By September 1944, the Third Army had liberated most of Brittany, participated in the encirclement of the German Seventh Army in the Argentan-Falaise area, reached the Seine River, and by crossing the Marne and Aisne Rivers, hastened the retreat of German forces...
Third Army and the Lorraine Battlefield
As the Great War was coming to an end, the US Army had the First and Second Armies in the field in France. The Third Army was not activated until 15 November 1918, four days after the Armistice was signed. It then served as an occupation force with its...
Assessing Operations in Lorraine — Introduction
The autumn of 1944 started well enough for the Allies. They had broken out of Normandy and were now racing a defeated foe across France and the Lowlands to see who could reach the long-abandoned and unmanned shelter of the Westwall along Germany’s western...