Tactics a U.S. Armored Division WWII. -

¶ … 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 of armored divisions were reorganized to be made lighter in order to increase mobility. 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 armored divisions.

The 2nd Armored Division also engaged in some tactical practices that it became renowned for, and which were utilized by other armored divisions as well. One such stratagem that this armored division employed was to engage the enemy at night. Quite often, most previous martial encounters involved fighting only in the daylight. Yet on July 29 and 30, various members of the 2nd armored division blockaded German troops who were attempting to flee from the Allied bag in Normandy. This tactic proved extremely successful, as the 2ND armored division's systematic strongholds and roadblocks (Bando 1999, 58) wreaked havoc on the plans of the Germans during the critical months following D-Day. As such, these tactics were influential in the Allies winning World War II.