Battle of Arracourt

The Battle of Arracourt took place between U.S. and German armoured forces near the town of Arracourt, Lorraine, France between 18 and 29 September 1944, during the Lorraine Campaign of World War II. As part of a counteroffensive against recent U.S. advances in France, the German 5th Panzer Army had as its objective the recapture of Lunéville and the elimination of the XII Corps bridgehead over the Moselle River at Dieulouard.

Battle of Arracourt
Part of the Lorraine Campaign of World War II

Arracourt commemorative monument
Date18–29 September 1944
Location
48°44′30″N 06°36′51″E
near Arracourt, Lorraine, France
Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
 United States  Germany
Commanders and leaders
George S. Patton
Bruce C. Clarke		 Hasso von Manteuffel
Units involved

4th Armored Division

  • Combat Command A

5th Panzer Army

  • 2 Panzer Brigades
  • elements of 2 Panzer Divisions
Strength
unknown 262 tanks & assault guns
Casualties and losses

41 medium tanks
7 light tanks
7 tank destroyers

Third Army losses in 1944 september in Arracourt region:

  • 151 M4 Sherman
  • 49 M5A1
  • Dozens M10 and M18

200 tanks & assault guns lost

  • 86 destroyed
  • 114 damaged

During the battle, 73 tanks were destroyed / damaged by P-47s.
5th Panzer Army losses in September of 1944 in Arracourt region:

  • 118 Panther
  • 101 Panzer IV
  • 122 Jagdpanzer and Stug

With local superiority in troops and tanks, the Germans anticipated quick defeat of the defending Combat Command A (CCA) of the U.S. 4th Armored Division. With better intelligence, tactics and use of terrain, CCA and the XIX Tactical Air Command defeated two panzer brigades and elements of two panzer divisions over eleven days of battle.

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.