World War II US Cavalry Groups: European Theater

by Gordon L. Rottman, Peter Dennis (Illustrator)

Overview

The cavalry regiments of the US Army were in the process of being transformed into a mechanized force when the USA entered World War II. While those cavalry regiments deployed to the Pacific to fight the Japanese were turned into infantry units, those sent to Europe were employed as light armor in the cavalry's traditional spearhead roles – reconnaissance, the screening of advances and flanks, and the pursuit of beaten enemy forces. Equipped with M8 Greyhound armored cars, M5 Stuart and M24 Chaffee light tanks, and halftracks, these units were designated cavalry groups (mechanized), each c. 1,700 strong and divided into two heavily armed squadrons. They were seldom attached to divisions, but to higher-level corps commands, meaning they could be shifted around quickly and independently and be formed at need into flexible battle groups with armored, infantry, and other units, depending on the mission. Featuring specially drawn full-color illustrations depicting uniforms, insignia, armored vehicles, and tactical scenarios, this is the story of the US cavalry units that led the advance to victory in Europe during World War II.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781780968742
Publisher:	Bloomsbury Publishing
Publication date:	07/20/2012
Series:	Elite , #129
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	64
Sales rank:	961,708
File size:	7 MB

About the Author

Gordon L Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments until retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.
Gordon L. Rottman entered the US Army in 1967, volunteered for Special Forces and completed training as a weapons specialist. He served in the 5th Special Forces Group in Vietnam in 1969–70 and subsequently in airborne infantry, long-range patrol and intelligence assignments before retiring after 26 years. He was a Special Operations Forces scenario writer at the Joint Readiness Training Center for 12 years and is now a freelance writer, living in Texas.
Peter Dennis was inspired by contemporary magazines such as Look and Learn, leading him to study Illustration at Liverpool Art College. Peter has since contributed to hundreds of books, predominantly on historical subjects, including many Osprey titles. A keen wargamer and modelmaker, he is based in Nottinghamshire, UK.

Table of Contents

Introduction /Pre-war cavalry regiments – dawn of mechanization, new missions, transformation /Anatomy of the cavalry group (mechanized) – groups, squadrons, and troops /Cavalry group missions – capabilities, limitations; reconnaissance in force, covering, screening, and pursuit /Cavalry group tactics – task forces, movement formations, and squadron tactics /Reorganization and deployment – new structure, new equipment, on to Europe /Cavalry group service histories – 2d, 3d, 4th, 6th, 11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 101st, 102d, 106th, 113th, and 115th Cavalry Groups /The cavalry groups in action – 2d, 3d, 6th, and 11th Cavalry Groups in Europe /Select bibliography /Index

Editorial Reviews

In this book, author Gordon Rottman takes a look at the changes and organization of US cavalry units in the early 1940s. He has a look at their training and the equipment they used before and during the war. There is a complete section that offers some of the more memorable exploits of various units as they fought after D-day. We also have a look at what was learned from the experiences of combat in Europe. All of this is superbly illustrated by period photo and by the excellent artwork of Peter Dennis, one of Osprey's best illustrators. This includes not only battle scenes but also well illustrated organizational charts.” —Scott Van Aken, Modeling Madness (November 2012)

From the Publisher