Lorraine 1944: Patton Vs Manteuffel

By Steven J. Zaloga

Book Overview

Osprey's examination of the confrontation between the US Army and German forces in Lorraine during World War II (1939-1945). In the wake of the defeat in Normandy in the summer of 1944, Hitler planned to stymie the Allied advance by cutting off Patton's Third Army in the Lorraine with a great Panzer offensive. But Patton's aggressive tactics continued to thwart German plans and led to a series of violent armored battles. The battle-hardened Wehrmacht confronted the better-equipped and better-trained US Army. The Germans managed to re-establish a fragile defensive line but could not stop the US Army from establishing bridgeheads over the Moselle along Germany's western frontier.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1841760897
• ISBN13: 9781841760896
• Release Date: August 2000
• Publisher: Osprey Publishing (UK)
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.3" x 7.3" x 9.7"

Customer Reviews

happy customer

The book was shipped on time and the condition as described. I would gladly use this seller again in the future.

Excellent!

It's a tiny might for quick reference concerning the Loraine Campaign during WWII. For more references concerning the Loraine Campaign, go to "Patton's Trouble Shooters" web page ([...] it). The book has great graphics and well written chapters. No left-wing academic dogma, just the facts.

Very Good Coverage of the Tank Battles in the Lorraine Region

September 1944 was a busy, important time for the Allies. The 3rd and the 7th Armies were approaching the Lorraine / Alsace region where the Germans were trying to recover and regroup from a long retreat, pursued by a relentless adversary. The logistic problem was becoming acute for the Allies, the Walcheren and the Scheldt had stilled been ignored by Montgomery and now he was advocating a risky Operation called Market-Garden. To my astonishment, General Eisenhower approved this risky, almost reckless operation. To facilitate this operation, a large tonnage of supplies would be diverted from the eastern line where they were already experiencing crucial shortages of fuel and ammo. Patton had already proved the ability of pushing the Germans back and now General Patch was nearing the line, the combined effort had a good chance of penetrating the German defenses into Germany while they were still in disarray. Instead Operation Market-Garden was approved and set in motion, forcing Patton and Patch to halt their advance. For Montgomery to want the rest of the American forces to stop while his forces received all the supplies so he could penetrate the Rhine and reach Berlin just doesn't seem rational from anybody's perspective. General Eisenhower wouldn't allow that but he did approve Market-Garden in appeasement for refusing Montgomery's bigger assault plans. This is the situation Mr Zaloga describes in his first few chapters. The author includes Market-Garden in this episode of Lorraine tank battles because of the big impact it will have on Patton. In the Plans chapter, Patton wanted to cross the Moselle River and establish bridgeheads between the heavily fortified town of Metz in the north and Dompaire, south of Nancy. Hitler unrealistically wanted Manteuffel to counterattack and destroy the 3rd Army before they could get a firm grip on the Moselle and before 7th Army could intervene. The top commanders were well represented in their chapter; the key Corps and Division commanders are presented in the action chapters. A point of interest was Mr Zaloga briefly comparing the Sherman and Panther tanks, pointing out the US army failed to make any appreciable improvements to the Sherman and now it had to compete against the Panther. My one complaint of the book would be Mr Zaloga's decision to drop a Chronology for the unwanted wargaming segment. With so much going on, a Chronology would have been most helpful. The author begins the batle action with 3rd Army crossing the Moselle and with the Pz Brig 106 counter attacking but ultimately suffers heavy casualties and must withdraw. The assault on Metz by Walkers 20th Corps is briefly mentioned and the assault on Nancy by Eddy's 12th Corps is more fully described. On the 13th, the destruction of Pz Brig 112 at Dompaire is covered and the biggest tank battle in the campaign which lasts for about 2 weeks at Aracourt is explained. In the chapter "Stalemate", the author explains the casualties and th

Just what I was looking for

I bought this book to read on the airplane while flying to France for a visit in Lorraine. The book was an excellent summary of WWII progress in the area, including detailed maps and photographs of several towns I was visiting. Very well done.

Mechanized warfare in the European Theater

This little book gives an overview of a single campaign in France during 1944. It involved the liberation of the Lorraine area by Patton and his famous 4th Armored Division versus German armor expert von Manteuffel. The author, Steve Zaloga is a long-time student of armored combat in all areas. His expertise shows in this book as describing this campaign weaves the technical aspects of armor with the personalities of the commanders and the tactical situation. As with most Osprey "Campaign" series books there are chapters covering the larger picture, the opposing commanders, the forces involved and then looking at the actual campaign and significant engagements. At the end of the book are quick notes on touring the battlefield today and on creating wargame simiulations of the campaign. A quick and easy read, but packed with good historical information. Highly recommended for history buffs and armor fans.