Armor In Ww2

The actions of the United States Army in the European and Italian theatres during World War II were using armor in rapid movements represented a radical departure from World War I. The impact of using tanks in the war visually changed the appearance and participation of the United States in the war. Changes in military technology had made tank tactics far stronger, with the combination of more advanced technology U.S. companies were creating more flexibility and all-purpose uses for the armor. In 1917, American forces were too small to make differences in the war; however, it was not until the particular development of the tank to fight back. The explosion of this new technology made the United States advance farther than other countries

Patton displayed how armor can be used in rapid movements in conjunction with infantry to defeat the enemy. However, the doctrine of U.S. armor used in World War II was developed large in part by General Patton prior to the United States entry into the war. “Patton was a highly effective pioneer, advocate, and exponent of modern mechanized warfare as well as a doctrine of highly mobile offensive, which enabled American ground forces to prevail against the army that invented blitzkrieg”. The doctrine of armor had changed from a penetration with security mindset to an offensive machine. The use of the American way of war using armor in converging columns and as the point of the spear was evident in European theatre. The lessons learned in North Africa were applied later in the war with tremendous success. Higher firepower also played a large role in the radical departure from previous tactics. This higher firepower contributed to the need to change tactics in order to have success on the battlefield. This display of firepower was no more evident than when the Allied army destroyed an entire German army group in the Rhine. In the European Theatre commanders used armor to push the battle line further and faster than in previous wars. “The armies were going so far and so fast that the supply services were unable to keep pace”. The mechanized nature of the armor and armored vehicles meant moving large quantities in men in

army used armor in conjunction with artillery firepower and close air support very effectively to defeat the German army in the European theatre. Armor quickly became an important part of battlefield strategy. The armor doctrine continued to develop as commanders received new and up to date tanks. “[…] the Sherman with a 360 degree power-operated traverse for a turret-mounted 75-mm. piece. It was reliable and effective armored weapon”. Innovations to the Sherman also contributed to the success of armor of the battlefield. One of these innovations allowed the tanks to break through the hedgerows and ultimately allow for the defeat of a large number of German forces in the area between Falaise and