A heavily illustrated account of how the tanks of 4th Armored Division defeated two panzer brigades over 11 days of battle at Arracourt.

September 1944: With the Allies closing in on the Rhine, Adolf Hitler orders a counterattack on General Patton's Third Army in France. Near the small town of Arracourt, France, elements of the US 4th Armored Division met the grizzled veterans of the 5th Panzer Army in combat. Atop their M4 Shermans, American tank crews squared off against the technologically superior Mark V Panther tanks of the Wehrmacht. Yet through a combination of superior tactics, leadership, teamwork, and small-unit initiative, the outnumbered American forces won a decisive victory against the 5th Panzer Army.

Indeed, of the 262 tanks and mobile assault guns fielded by German forces, 200 were damaged or destroyed by enemy fire. The Americans, by contrast, lost only 48 tanks. Following the collapse of the German counterattack at Arracourt, General Patton’s Third Army found itself within striking distance of the Third Reich’s borderlands.

The battle of Arracourt was the US Army's largest tank battle until the Ardennes Offensive in December 1944. It helped pave the way for the final Allied assault into Germany, and showed how tactical ingenuity and adaptive leadership can overcome an enemy’s superior size or technological strength.

Timeline of Events
Introduction
Opposing Forces
The Campaign
Afterword
Further Reading
Index

"...an interesting study of small-unit leadership that emphasizes the importance of tank-crew training, the value of a reliable logistics system and effects of weather on battlefield activities."

"This well-written book explains how U.S. forces won this critical battle."

"An enjoyable read of a campaign that has been obscured by more well-known engagements in the ETO."

"...it is the wealth of photos that really makes this book so interesting and enjoyable. This includes some nicely done full color profiles of some of the tanks involved. In all, it is a great addition to the series and a book that you will very much enjoy."

"...can serve as a stepping stone to expand into miniature gaming."

"​Highly recommended."

"This is an excellent resource for someone new to wargaming WWII."