The U. S. Army's Third Armored Division in Battle

This narrative history of the U.S. Army's Third Armored Division (3AD) covers the 3AD from its activation in 1941 until its flag folded in 1992, with an emphasis on the Division's actions during World War II and the Persian Gulf War.

Spurred by the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. Army was compelled to rapidly modernize its formations, adopt new force designs and doctrine, and train new soldiers. One of the earliest divisions to assemble was the Third Armored Division...
More Description

This narrative history of the U.S. Army's Third Armored Division (3AD) covers the 3AD from its activation in 1941 until its flag folded in 1992, with an emphasis on the Division's actions during World War II and the Persian Gulf War.

Spurred by the outbreak of World War II, the U.S. Army was compelled to rapidly modernize its formations, adopt new force designs and doctrine, and train new soldiers. One of the earliest divisions to assemble was the Third Armored Division (3AD). From its activation in 1941 through to its retirement in 1992, the division nicknamed "Spearhead" served as a key element in U.S. ground forces across half a century of duty. This accessibly written book provides an engaging and articulate account of the leaders, equipment, and battle history of the Division that covers its broad history, with emphasis on 3AD's role in World War II and the Persian Gulf War.

Military historian Bradley T. Gericke examines the design, organization, and changing role of the Third Armored Division over its many years of service, placing its evolution in the context of broader Army changes to meet the nation's defense needs. The division's impressive battlefield accomplishments and list of "firsts" achieved in the vanguard of Army attacks during World War II are described, as are 3AD's roles as a training division in the post-WWII period and its service in Germany during the Cold War.

The book's coverage of the Third Armored Division's contributions in the Persian Gulf War includes explanations of how 3AD provided humanitarian aid to displaced Iraqis in southern Iraq and northern Kuwait, supported U.N. missions to reestablish Kuwaiti sovereignty, and built logistics bases in Kuwait City that were used by U.S. forces for many years. A chronology of key events, many maps and photographs, and appendices of key facts concerning unit awards, casualties, commanders, and accomplishments are also included.

* Provides a detailed campaign narrative of the Division in World War II that highlights its accomplishments in the breakout of Normandy, the fighting in northern France, and the pursuit across Germany

* Explains the historical development of the U.S. Army's armored force as well as the weapons and doctrine employed by the 3AD

* Presents interesting key leader capsules and vignettes of small unit actions

* Includes coverage of the Division's preparation, deployment, and battlefield conduct during the Persian Gulf War