U.S. Army Groups: Sherman to Bradley
Abstract
The Group of Armies is one of the largest formulations that the U.S. Army uses. This study looks at the future utility of the Group of Armies by looking at approximately eighty years of U.S. military history. The first Army Group, although not formally named as such, was commanded by General Sherman in the Civil War Atlanta Campaign in the summer of 1864. Sherman commanded three separate armies against a dug-in confederate force commanded by general Johnston. General Pershing also commanded a group of Armies briefly at the end of World War I. Confronted with divisive political problems in Europe, a poorly trained and led American Army, and characterized by the overwhelming micro- managing style, Pershing was literally forced to split his American Expeditionary Force into two separate armies about a month before the end of the war in 1918. During the interwar years, the army began to doctrinally consider its organization and fighting principles. One emerging concept was the formal recognition of the Group of Armies in the late 1930's. Although only studied conceptually, General Bradley led the Twelfth Army Group, consisting of three armies against the heart of the German Army in World War II. Since the doctrinal foundation of the Army Group is one of command and control, recent innovations in communications and automation capability obviates the need for this formation that was once so valuable.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 22, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA264861
Entities
People
- James P. Fairall Jr
Organizations
- United States Army War College