Iron Knights: The U.S. 66th Armored Regiment in World War II

by Gordon A. Blaker

Overview

• Combat history of the U.S. Army's oldest armored regiment • Tank battles in North Africa, Sicily, Normandy, and the Battle of the Bulge • The 66th Armored Regiment is still active today and has served in Iraq From its baptism of fire in the mud of the Western Front in 1918 to its triumphant march into Berlin in July 1945, this is the story of the U.S. 66th Armored Regiment. It was the only American heavy tank unit to see combat in World War I, and between the two wars, the regiment served as a laboratory for new ideas and equipment. After training under Gen. George S. Patton, the 66th distinguished itself in numerous battles during World War II, earning six battle streamers for the unit and a Medal of Honor for one of its officers.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780811734707
Publisher:	Stackpole Books
Publication date:	02/12/2008
Series:	Stackpole Military History Series
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Gordon A. Blaker is a retired armor officer with extensive experience in tank units. He holds a master's degree in American history and is an active member of the Company of Military Historians. He lives in Georgia.

Table of Contents

List of Illustrations     vii
List of Maps     xiii
Foreword     xiv
Preface     xv
Introduction to American Military Organization     xix
The Beginnings: 1918-38     1
Join the Tank Corps!     3
Into the Breach: The Hindenburg Line Attack     13
Lean Times: The Inter-War Years     24
War Clouds: 1939-41     49
The Rebirth of American Armor     51
Patton's Blitzkrieg: The Tennessee Maneuvers     72
Swamps and Snakes: The Louisiana Maneuvers     89
Dress Rehearsal: The Carolina Maneuvers     114
The Mediterranean Theater: 1942-43     129
Tanks at Sea: The Final Preparations: 1942     131
Operation Torch: The Invasion of North Africa     146
Operation Husky: Sicily     173
Omaha Beach to Berlin: 1944-45     213
Close Combat in the Hedgerows: Normandy     215
Breakout and Pursuit: August 1944     238
The Siege of Aachen     271
Collapsing the Bulge: The Ardennes     292
The Race for Berlin     317
Epilogue     361
Notes     364
Bibliography     386
Index     396