¶ … tactics a U.S. Armored division WWII. - Two pages, double-spaced 12-Point Times New Although there were several different U.S. armored divisions during World War II that utilized a plethora of tactics, the typical composition of one and its tactics employed can be readily discerned by examining one such division in particular to function as a case study. In this respect the 2nd armored division, which was affectionately known as "Hell on Wheels" during the duration of its engagement in this war, serves as an excellent example of the specific sort of composition and tactics that such divisions typically used.

In terms of composition, this division was made up of four medium tank and a pair of light tank battalions. All of these battalions were comprised of three companies. Such a composition was typical of most armored divisions during World War II -- at its outset and early on in its engagement. At some point during the war, many of the aforementioned stratifications...

These armored divisions consisted of three tank battalions, which in turn were comprised of a single company of light tanks and three medium tank companies.
However, it is interesting to note that the 2nd armored division was never reorganized into the aforementioned lighter sort of division. The 2nd division incorporated an armored infantry regiment as part of its three mechanized battalions (Houston 1995, 33). The lighter companies did not have an armored infantry regiment. World War II was the first martial engagement on a large scale in which tanks comprised a good deal of the fighting. From a tactical perspective, then, it is significant to note that moderate distance fighting as facilitated by tanks was a strategy employed by both the Axis and the Allied powers. On the latter side, tanks played an immense part of the tactical disposition of both heavier and lighter…